Noel Cabangon began his musical career at the young age of 10. Coming from a modest family in rosario, la union, noel learned to play the guitar using one that he would borrow from a neighbor. Though shy and insecure, he was often entered into singing contests in their small town. Visiting guests were often treated to a song or two from the young noel, who tried to run away from performing. Try as he may to avoid performing in public, however, music and his love for it inevitably drew him to the stage. In 1982, beginning in little known folk houses and bars to underground watering holes, noel steadily made a name for himself in the local music scene. In the year 1987 noel, rene boncocan, and rom dongeto formed the group buklod. Buklod was more than just a music group, with their albums oriented toward social, political, and cultural issues. The group came out with three albums -- "bukid at buhay," "tatsulok," and "sa kandungan ng kalikasan,” – each album espousing the advocacies of the group from the plight of the peasant farmers, to the protection of human rights, and to the conservation of the environment. When the group disbanded, noel set out on his own, playing at music bars and singing at private events. The years saw the creation of a loyal following that sought him out, wherever he played. He also began recording his solo albums. To date he has released 6 solo albums, 4 of which were produced by the jesuit music ministry, 1 by ballyhoo records, and the latest by universal records. Noel has also performed around and out of the country, doing concerts and performances in france, belgium, germany, switzerland, while his many advocacies have brought him to brazil, india, kenya, thailand, and hong kong, among others. Over the years noel has written songs for the causes he believes in and matters close to his heart. He has also written songs for other artists. Some of his songs have also found their way into movies, the most recent of which was “ang buhay nga naman” for the indie film by soxie topacio, “ded na si lolo.” “ded na si lolo” is also the philippine entry into the 2010 academy awards. Noel has also dabbled in theater, as musical director, composer, or actor. He also teaches at the philippine educational theater association (peta), imparting his years of experience in workshops aimed at educating the younger generations on the importance of theater. Noel has had a long journey from being the shy boy who used to run from the audience, to the performer who never fails to awe and mesmerize his audience with his soulful voice and heartfelt music. With almost 20 years of being a performer, and an untold number of years as a lover of music, noel is still doing what he does best – writing music, and singing about the things that matter most to him. Years from now there is no doubt that noel will still be doing these, and doing them well.
