Hopeful and Timely, Noel Cabangon, Ebe Dancel, Johnoy Danao and Bullet Dumas’s Collaboration is Just What We Needed

Written by iconic Filipino artist Noel Cabangon, ‘Gagaan Din Ang Buhay’ is a song that’s been much awaited for because of the collaboration of Noel here himself along with prominent, solo acoustic-driven performers Ebe Dancel, Johnoy Danao and Bullet Dumas- also collectively known as 3D. The song and how the collaboration on it came to life, Noel, Ebe, and Johnoy visited OPM Highlights to talk about just that.

The four much loved and followed singer-songwriters came together in likeness of their musical style, composition, view and values in the social matters of present-day Filipino society. When the project was initiatied and invited by Noel, Ebe and Johnoy shared the excitement to take part in it with one of their musical heroes growing up.

“I grew up listening to him, pinagiipunan ko ‘yan dati si Noel, nanonood ako ng mga shows niya sa 70’s Bistro,” Ebe relates, “so to actually be collaborating with him again- kasi mayroon na kaming ginawa ni Noel a few years back, but to be part of this project, it was a fun experience for all four of us.”

Johnoy shared the same excitement. “When it comes to ‘yung nag-invite si Noel, it’s very, sabihin nating madali- madali lang para sa akin na magdecide kung sasama ako dito sa project na ito dahil number one, si Noel Cabangon ‘yan, pinapanood ko si Noel Cabangon bago pa ako mag solo artist, actually may banda pa ako no’n. Pinapanood namin si Noel sa 70’s Bistro kasi ‘yun ‘yung kaniyang bahay,” he adds, “every Wednesday pumupunta ako doon para manood at makiusap na rin na baka pwede akong sumingit sa set niya. So it was very easy for me to decide na mag-yes sa project na ito.”

The folk-rock track’s dynamic guitar riffs and mix of melodic and firm vocals of all four artists ultimately came together in harmony and encouraging message.

Noel expressed, “‘Gagaan Din Ang Buhay’ is a song about collaboration, solidarity and hope. Tungkol po ito sa nararanasan natin ngayon, kung nasaan tayo ngayon, kinalalagyan natin, and kailangan ng mga ganitong kanta na nagbibigay sa atin ng pag-asa kahit papaano- at tungkol ‘din ito sa mga maraming nangyayari sa ating bansa at kapiligiran,” he adds, “that’s basically the general meaning of the song, ‘Gagaan Din Ang Buhay’, from the title itself naghahanap ng ikagagaan ng mabigat nating buhay ngayon.”

Giving a bit of insight on the process of the song’s ideation and becoming, Johnoy also tells what it was like for the group. “Naisip namin na kailangan ng onting grit ‘yung song,” he shares, “somehow pag malumnanay ‘yung kanta, mas gusto mo’ng matulog lang or something. Pero ito, paragn gusto mo’ng gisingin ‘yung kaluluwa ng mga Pilipino dahil medyo down talaga tayo for the past few months, year and a half. Kailangan natin ng something to jolt our spirits, and this song would definitely do that.”

Watch Noel Cabangon, Ebe Dancel, Johnoy Danao, and Bullet Dumas’ ‘Gagaan Din Ang Buhay’ live performance on OPM Highlights, and stream the track here.