Tuntun Balagon/Firefly [Nilo Alcala] - UPLB Choral Ensemble

Tuntun Balagon/Firefly
music: Nilo Alcala
text: Joey Vargas
University of the Philippines Los Baños Choral Ensemble
Engr. Roijin Suarez, conductor
1st Prize, 2019 Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition
(live recording)
text:
TUNTUN BALAGON
kun nuarin nakakalag an kalag
kan makangirhat
na uran, rinti, kikilat
sa irarom kan diklom
nin kabanggihon
mahanap, mahalat
nin mga bitoon
sa buhay siring kaiyan
minsan makusog
an kugos nin kadikloman
kaya maski mahibog
an mga panganoron
malaom makaheling
maski tuntun balagon
____________________
English translation:
FIREFLY
when the spirit is startled
by dreadful
rain, thunder, lightning
in the depths of darkness
of the night
will look, wait
for the stars
in life so it is
sometimes tightly
darkness embraces
so that even when thick
are the clouds
will hope to see
even mere fireflies

[@joelmagusnavarro2211]

Nilo, you top yourself again and again. The sheer virtuosity of this piece doesn't just dazzle, it beguiles and transports the listener to misty underbrush, there hovering beside a swarm of fireflies, those blue ghosts that reveal themselves to the passing traveler.

[@AlcalaNilo]

Maraming salamat po! ❤️

[@5bluesharks]

I'm from the island province of Catanduanes in the Philippines. The original text was written in our mother tongue. I'm telling you that poetry was superb. The English translation cannot give justice to the Bicol-Catanduanes text. Fireflies are glowing when I close my eyes and listen to this masterpiece!
Congrats Sir Joey Vargas and your whole team!

[@davelacquio5103]

One of the BEST CHORALE WORK OF ALL TIME..still can't get over with it's brilliance 😍😍😍
It's OUT OF THIS WORLD sir Nilo🤩
Edit: After 3 years this still gives me goosebumps...

[@AlcalaNilo]

Thank you for your kind words 🙏

[@smphnyprod]

When I heard Dogalen a Mabaso and after our choir sang it, I thought it was the best piece I've ever sang. But this piece had me blown away. 💞

[@DonwayneCogay]

If as a Filipino musician you do not feel proud of this wonderful piece, I dunno what would. Makes me love choral music more, knowing that in the next coming days, there'd be more excellent Filipino compositions coming out. BRAVO sir!!!

[@AlcalaNilo]

Thank you for your very kind words

[@emmanuelbarnedo2770]

Just a fan of choral music. I particularly love the 1st soprano (tama po ba?) in 4:54 - 4:58 amidst the other voices. Overall, sobrang ganda po ng composition.

[@rendellvalles6749]

I remember a lullaby my mom used to sing to me that's tonton dalagon, it's bicolano. She sings that whenever we see fireflies at night when the electricity is out. I don't remember the lyrics but it was about the firefly.

[@jumerhuamorballo3814]

Hello sir Nico, I really love your chorale music and other compositions. Ask lang po sir how to avail or purchase your pieces? For study and will be used for our compilations someday. Thank you sir. Mabuhay po kayo.

[@azihrDM]

Ang galing! Congrats po!

[@jamesconde627]

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