Dalawidaw: An Ilonggo Love Song

"Dalawidaw", according to my friend, Edgar Siscar of ILOILO UPDATE, is a popular Ilonggo love song, a haunting metaphor of the Japanese Occupation of the Negros Provinces & Panay Island. Written by former Mayor and Congressman Augurio Abeto on November 13, 1943 on the anniversary of the Philippine Commonwealth. Its music was written by Rodolfo "Oping" Villa, his secretary.

Dalawidaw

His Summary of DALAWIDAW relates the following:

According to Negros history writer Modesto Palacios Sa-onoy's account that I've modified, Mayor and later on Congressman Augurio Abeto wrote "Dalawidaw" as they were retreating to an evacuation site in Birubina Hills in Brgy. Bi-ao in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental on the day of the Philippine Commonwealth anniversary on November 14, 1943.

As a love song, it tells of a love affair from the point of view of a Dalawidaw.... a small bird common in Binalbagan.

Why Did I Compose a Song?

It was in May 20, 1970 when I wrote and composed my first amateur song entitled "My Singing Doll." And I rediscovered it sometime last week when I was cleaning my dust-filled bookshelves. Then I stumbled upon an old, crumpled brown envelop. I didn't mind it for awhile what's in it. I put it aside then continued my work.

While I was about to finish dusting off the shelves, I took a glanced with the said envelop. Nothing of interest, just curious about it, I opened and checked inside and this is what I saw:

"My Singing Doll"

This was the product of my amateur interest in music. I loved to sing since I was a grade six pupil. I used to sing the popular song of The Beatles, "A World Without Love." I didn't have any idea what was it all about. I just kept on singing it. Until I realized that some of these lyrics were predestined of what I had composed for my high school sweetheart.

The unforgettable lyrics of the said pop song:

           "So I wait, and in a while
           I will see my true love smile 
           She may come, I know not when..."

Yes that was 1966, four years later that I composed the song for that mysterious girl. Then after 2 years we got married. We were meant for each other.

Wilbert's Rare Collections of Oldies of 60's, 70's & 80's Music

Wilbert's YouTube Channel

Wilbert is a vinyl record collector, a Filipino who currently lives in Canada. He collects mostly Original Pilipino Music (OPM) records from the 70's and some 60's and 80's. He has also collected some foreign musical records. The songs that have been uploaded by him to his limva123 channel in YouTube have been ripped from his vinyl collections.

'Love Is What We Make It'

Valentine's Day is approaching. I thoughtfully greet my better-half, Rebecca, an advanced Happy Valentine. I do really love Rebing. My love for her has never failed.

"Love is what we make it", a line from a love song popularized by Kenny Rogers, yields an idea on how love developed among sweethearts and couples for the happiness, satisfaction and the never-ending joy for that matter.

In my notes, I've 9 major qualities of love which I culled from the experiences of many wise and inspired men: