|
"PARAISO" – The Song
Paraiso
Return to a land called Paraiso,
a place where a dying river ends.
No birds there fly over Paraiso,
no space allows them to endure.
The smoke that screens the air,
the grass that's never there.
And if I could see a single bird, what a joy.
I try to write some words and create
a simple song to be heard
by the rest of the world.
I live in this land called Paraiso,
in a house made of cardboard floors and walls.
I learned to be free in Paraiso,
free to claim anything I see.
Matching rags for my clothes,
plastic bags for the cold.
And if empty cans were all I have, what a joy.
I never fight to take someone
else's coins and live with fear
like the rest of the boys.
Paraiso, help me make a stand.
Paraiso, take me by the hand
Paraiso, make the world understand
that if I could see a single bird, what a joy.
This tired and hungry land could expect
some truth and hope and respect
from the rest of the world.
When the well loved and respected award winning songwriter, musical
director and conductor Ryan Cayabyab was asked by TV Executive Bobby
Barreiro if his composition “Paraiso” could be used for the Gawad
Kalinga trilogy of the same title, his one word reply – “Gladly” - given
without hesitation, said it all.
Cayabyab is the Executive and Artistic Director of the San Miguel
Foundation for the Performing Arts and most recently sat as Head Judge
for Philippine Idol. He has received numerous awards attesting to his
talent and creativity. He is 2004 Gawad CCP Awardee for Music . He was
the first recipient of the Antonio C. Barreiro Achievement Award for
significant and lasting contributions to the growth and development of
Filipino music. Awit Awards , the recording industry awards, bestowed
upon him a Lifetime Achievement Award for “invaluable contribution and
outstanding achievements in the promotion and development of Filipino
music.”
Ryan’s music and lyrics mirror a whole gamut of emotions, some of them
reflecting the deepest sentiments of a wide spectrum of people - lovers,
mothers, children of overseas workers, and a whole lot more. The song,
Paraiso, which won the grand prize at the 1992 Tokyo Pop Music Festival,
has been given moving renditions by the group Smokey Mountain as well as
Lea Salonga and is known to have brought tears to Filipino audiences in
different parts of the globe. Call it accidental or providential,
Paraiso is now the theme song of a different kind of movie based on real
life stories of those touched by Gawad Kalinga, a movement that is
radically transforming the Philippines.
Mr. C, as he is fondly called volunteers some facts about the song:
“Paraiso was the very first song I composed for the group Smokey
Mountain. This is the very theme song of that group – named after what
used to be a garbage dump in Tondo,” The lyrics speak of a dark and
dreary environment where scavengers are free to make what they get from
the garbage pile. But that does not make them any less free to imagine,
any less free to hope, and any less free to dream. Mr C adds: “It is an
inspirational song that I had dedicated not only to marginalized folks
but especially to young people who have hopes and dreams of a better
future. Now it will be doubly memorable because now I can say that I
have contributed something to the GK project, a movement that has made
Filipinos proud and the whole world take notice. “
Written over ten years ago, Ryan Cayabyab never imagined that the dump
that he spoke of as well as the youth that he almost exhorts in the song
is the same reality and the same vision that spurred Tony Meloto, Gawad
Kalinga’s founder on a mission to transform squatter areas into
beautiful and peaceful Gawad Kalinga communities, no longer the same
hopeless place where only a gloomy predetermined future looms ominously
before its desperate residents.
Mr. C was not directly involved in the making of the GK Movie, and
admits that he has never contributed to GK, in thought, in deeds or
monetary form. But, music is his passion and in a special way, he feels
that his being asked to “contribute” his composition is most
appropriate. “The song holds a special place in my heart and soul. So it
is like sharing my heart and soul to GK through Paraiso”
“I have heard and read so much about GK and Tony Meloto even before it
reached this peak status and I am awed at what it had accomplished. The
GK has become the best model for projects that try to help marginalized
communities seek not only adequate shelter but an improved way of life.”
While Mr. C has never had the occasion to share his time with GK, he has
definitely been inspired by the movement and looks forward to the day
when he rolls up his sleeves to join other passionate volunteers at a GK
Build. In the meantime, he contributes what he does best – his music -
so that more may grasp the essence of Gawad Kalinga.
Not all of us can enjoy the thrill of weaving beautiful melodies with
the stroke of our fingers on the piano keys or putting into words the
deepest longings of a heart. Not all of us can deliver compositions that
people would want to listen to over and over. Not all of us can savor
the excitement of having our art or music recognized in a prestigious
festivals or awrds ceremonies, but as Mr. C has said, we all have our
gifts to contribute.
He gave his song in a way he never envisioned. Paraiso was an extension
of his soul. He may have been alone when he wrote the music and put the
melody in it but now he shares it with the world in a most meaningful
way. Because he had given it to Gawad Kalinga.
|
