Maestro Umali for the record in the composer of the immortal love song “Saan Ka Man Naroroon”.  Before our encounter and since my early singing days, I used to sing only standard and other simple melodies.  When he heard me sing for the first time, he immediately asked me to do the solo of the famous Visayan song “Matud, Nila”, with the CB Choir.  I didn’t know the  song but he patiently taught me the techniques and nuances of singing Visayan Songs.  The song was specially requested by our Deputy Governor then Amado Brinas, to be sang and dedicated to him and his wife on his retirement party. 

To make the story short, Mr. Brinas, showing his appreciation and gratitude, climbed the stage to personally congratulate me and the rest of the group.

          After that affair, Maestro Umali approached me and encourages me to take vocal coaching lessons and even told me that if I’m interested he would contact a voice teacher that would go to the CB during break time and after office hours,  to teach me and the others who are interested.  For me, he suggested that I should concentrate on learning the art of singing Kundimans and some light classics.  One of the first Kundiman pieces I’ve learned was the Nicanor Abelardo’s immortal song “Bituing Marikit”.  I really fell in love with the song as it took me only 2 lessons to learn it. 

On one occasion when some selected CB Choir members were invited, I sang with them.  The crowd and even my co-members who are all great singers, gave me a big round of applause.  The last one to congratulate me was Resty; heoffered his hands in congratulation, patted my back and said that if I’m free the following day, he would like to invite me for a tea at his home in Cubao, QC. 

                                                                                    At his home, he told me frankly that the secret between a good singer and the best one can be distinguished in the delivery of the song.  He told me further that I’ve

sang the song without emotions.   To emphasize his point, he opened his piano and played a song plainly and then played it again with emotions.  Then he played “Bituing Marikit” and asked me to listen carefully to the notes and sound as he played them and to follow those melodies as I sing the song.  With the modulations, demodulations, crescendos, decrescendos, and other musical techniques, I was introduced to the world of “Dynamics”.  Though my talent is God given, I owed very much to Resty for the refinements.  Up to the present, when I’m singing Kundimans, and also his masterpiece “Saan Ka Man Naroroon”, I cannot prevent shedding tears for this great man. 

         Bituing Marikit is about a gentleman’s appreciation for the beauty of his sweetheart, whom he likens to a bright shining star that makes the evening pleasant and romantic one.  When alone and afar, he is reminded of his beloved, especially at night when he gazes at the heaven.  It was recorded  by Sylvia La Torre, Celeste Legaspi, Jackie Magno and Ric Manrique in multi-plex format.   In 1938, the song was made the theme for the first full-length film produced by Sampaguita Pictures.  The movie, with the same title as the song, starred Elsa Oria, the Singing Sweetheart of the Philippines and Rogelio de la Rosa, the King

of the Philippine Movies then.

                                                                                    For Song demo, key in and click the following link:

         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJkGUlgPHGU&feature=channel 

         The lyrics of the song and the literal English translation for those who not

understand the language are as follows: