Comments on: Classic Filipino Christmas Carol

By: Barry John Rubi

Barry John Rubi — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:46:59 +0000

thank you…

in Momory of my Great Grand Father Vicente “lolo inteng” Rubi

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:15:01 +0000

Hi I just bumped into your blog. Thank you for telling us more about Vicente Rubi. A few years back, I had the privilege of joining the late Levi Celerio for lunch in UP Diliman. By some chance, the topic of Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit came up. He said another Filipino composer, a non-Cebuano at that, claimed that he wrote the song. Of course you didn’t, Mang Levi retorted, and said that it was originally written in Cebuano by someone he couldn’t recall. Mang Levi did a Tagalog translation, but I’m not sure if its the standard Tagalog version we all know. Needless to say, I think up to this day, that certain composer (I will keep him anonymous, for my sake) still believes he wrote the song. The first time I came across Mr. Rubi’s name was on a choral arrangement made by Joel Navarro of Filipino Christmas carols. In this work, Prof. Navarro included both Cebuano and Tagalogs lyrics of Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit.

Now, Mr. Vicente Rubi’s name to me is no longer just letters on a piece of music sheet. He is now a real person to me, thanks to you.

Regarding justice, I really do hope Mr. Rubi, Mr. Vestil, and other exploited composers, will get the honor and royalties they deserve, whether or not they still walk this earth with us or not.

By: Vip Aleonar

Vip Aleonar — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 12:50:28 +0000

At our Yap family reunion held in Cebu December in 2002, the non-Cebuano speaking family members surprised the host Cebuanos by singing Ang Kasadya along with them at the end of the mass.

“Secret” emails had went back and forth Manila, USA and Australia setting down the Cebuano lyrics. The names of Rubi and Vestil and the original year was included to convince the Manila people that the Cebuano version was indeed the original. I underlined the syllables that fell on the beat, so that even the Australian-accented cousins got it down pat.

We then inveigled the programmer to include the carol in the overhead projector at the end of the Mass. The Cebuanos needed no prompting when the lyrics were put on the projector and the guitarists started the intro. They were thoroughly surprised that the Manila, USA, and Australia contingents joined in just as fluently.

We hope in some measure we honored Rubi and Vestil that night.

By: sha

sha — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 03:43:27 +0000

hmm made me homesick this song…

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 21:40:35 +0000

Noemi I am with you. Sometimes I am lazy too

By: julie

julie — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:40:58 +0000

That is an interesting story, Noemi. I didn’t know about this until I read your blog. And to think he died without being given what was due to him is so sad but I’m sure the angels in heaven welcomed him with open arms.

You have a lot of songs by the Madz, they are wonderful. Hubby’s cousin who is also a priest (mga Bol-anon) used to sing with a group until he had his own chorale.

By: donna

donna — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 07:16:50 +0000

It’s such a pity. maybe he thought it was a one time payment thing.

By: jessica

jessica — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 07:01:04 +0000

I ‘ve heard the carol before. You’re right. I like the staccato beat

By: noemi

noemi — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:27:36 +0000

@yohann- I am more bothered that the composer was not paid fairly. I guess the Tagalog version was just more popular

By: Yohann

Yohann — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:12:16 +0000

I am quite bothered that the tagalog version (since I am pure tagalog) is not as good as that of the Visayan but I guess since it originally originated in your area then I respect that. It is sad that in our society, many achievements of others are easily taken by opportunists. I guess karma will just do its thing.