S o n g s   a n d   L y r i c s

 

 

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B O N G G O

1. Songs of Love

2. Pilipinas Bayan Ko

3. May mga Tao

4. Fighting for Excellence

5. Sibit – Sibit

6. Pinoy Check nang Check

7. Balimbing

*Please click on the titles to view their lyrics.


 

 

"Songs of Love"

(by James “Bong” Gordon, Jr.)

Songs of love I will remember
Telling me of love so tender
Speaking the truth, I don’t say tomorrow
Promise me of love no sorrow

Chorus:

Afraid am I this love of mine
And now I find it’s hard to go on
And now I find this heart of mine
Would like this love to go on

Songs of love I will remember
Telling me of love so tender
Speak the truth, don’t say tomorrow
Promise me of love no sorrow

Chorus:

Afraid am I this love of mine
And now I find it’s hard to go on
And now I find this heart of mine
Would like this love to go on

Songs of love I will remember
Telling me of love so tender
Speak the truth, don’t say tomorrow
Promise me of love no sorrow

Songs of love I will remember
Telling me of love so tender
Speak the truth, don’t say tomorrow
Promise me of love no sorrow

Songs of love I will remember
Telling me of love so tender
Speak the truth, don’t say tomorrow
Promise me of love no sorrow… fade

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Songs of Love

Chicago once again has helped me create this song in 1971. The song is just another love song urging people to be honest and so speak the truth and keep away from promising tomorrows that will never come. But what made this song unique from the other love song, is its interesting interplay of vocals and guitar – a very rare approach in songwriting.

"May Mga Tao"

(by: James “Bong” Gordon, Jr.)

I.
May mga taong hindi nagtrabaho
Nang-agaw ng lamang ng puwesto sa Subic
Bakit ba ganyan sila
Sila ba ay nagsisi na
Sana naman umalis na sila dahil…

II.
May mga tao, sila’ng nagtrabaho
Sila ang naghirap, Nag-volunteer sa Subic
Sana naman pagbigyan sila
Sana ay makamit na nila
Dahil sila ang nararapat

Hindi sa mga tao
Hindi sa mga taong
Hindi nagtrabaho

(adlib)

Bakit ba ganyan sila
Sila ba ay nasisi na
Sana naman umalis na sila dahil…
May mga tao, sila’ng nagtrabaho
Sila ang naghirap, Nag-volunteer sa Subic
Sana naman pagbigyan sila
Sana ay makamit na nila
Dahil sila ang nararapat

Hindi sa mga tao
Hindi sa mga taong
Hindi nagtrabaho

Solo:

Sana naman pagbigyan sila
Sana ay makamit na nila
Dahil sila ang nararapat
Hindi sa mga tao
Hindi sa mga taong

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May Mga Tao (Subic)

“May Mga Tao” (Subic) is a tribute to the 8,000 volunteers who unselfishly dedicated their skills and talents to give life to the economic powerhouse of Central Luzon but somehow have now been marginalized

"Pilipinas Bayan Ko"

(by: James “Bong” Gordon)

I.

Pilipinas Bayan ko (Pilipinas Bayan ko)
Di pa tapos and laban mo (di pa tapos ang laban mo)
Pinaghirapan ng tao (pinaghirapan ng tao)
Ipaglaban mo, Ipaglaban mo (Ipaglaban mo, ipaglaban mo)

II.

Pilipinas Bayan ko (Pilipinas Bayan ko)
Di pa tapos and laban mo (di pa tapos ang laban mo)
Plano ng mga sakim (plano ng mga sakim)
labanan mo, labanan mo (labanan mo, labanan mo)

III.

Pilipinas Bayan ko (Pilipinas Bayan ko)
Di pa tapos and laban mo (di pa tapos ang laban mo)
Reputasyon ay ayusin (reputasyon ay ayusin)
Baguhin mo, isulong mo (Baguhin mo, isulong mo)

IV.

Bayan, bayan ko (bayan, bayan ko)
Ngayon simulan ang laban mo (ngayon simulan ang laban mo)
Bayan, bayan, bayan ko (bayan, bayan, bayan ko)
Sama-sama lahat tayo (Sama-sama lahat tayo)

Adlib:

I.

Pilipinas Bayan Ko (Pilipinas bayan ko)
Di pa tapos ang laban mo (di pa tapos ang laban mo)
Pinaghirapan ng tao (pinaghirapan ng tao)
Ipaglalaban mo, ipaglalaban mo (ipaglaban mo, ipaglaban mo)

II.

Pilipinas Bayan ko (Pilipinas Bayan ko)
Di pa tapos and laban mo (di pa tapos ang laban mo)
Plano ng mga sakim (plano ng mga sakim)
labanan mo, labanan mo (labanan mo, labanan mo)

III.

Pilipinas Bayan ko (Pilipinas Bayan ko)
Di pa tapos and laban mo (di pa tapos ang laban mo)
Reputasyon ay ayusin (reputasyon ay ayusin)
Baguhin mo, isulong mo (Baguhin mo, isulong mo)

IV.

Bayan, bayan ko (bayan, bayan ko)
Ngayon simulan ang laban mo (ngayon simulan ang laban mo)
Bayan, bayan, bayan ko (bayan, bayan, bayan ko)
Sama-sama lahat tayo (Sama-sama lahat tayo)

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Pilipinas Bayan Ko

Another generalized version of the Bayan Kong Olongapo, a call for Filipinos to continue their fight against hopelessness. This song is also dedicated to every patriotic Filipino, wherever or whatever their stations in life are, who dreams of a transformed and united Philippines.

"Fighting for Excellence"

(by: James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. and Ric Garcia)

I.
In every field of endeavor, we set our goals define our roles
We may experience rough sailing
But we’ll push through, got to break through
If there is a will, surely there is a way
The sweet smell of success is just a breath away

Chorus:

We’re fighting for excellence,
we’re fighting for excellence
Gotta keep on moving up,
make the most of what we’ve got
Let’s show the world what it takes to be great
We’re fighting for excellence

II.
As we gaze at the horizon,
we cherish dreams and things that we’ve done
We wander in new horizons,
Capturing moments of truth and the like
We never sit on our laurels we keep on
conquering more brilliant worlds
We stick to proven ideals and that is a fact

Chorus:

We’re fighting for excellence,
we’re fighting for excellence
Gotta keep on moving up,
make the most of what we’ve got
Let’s show the world what it takes to be great
We’re fighting for excellence

Bridge:

And when we reep the fruits of our toil oohm….
We’ll share with the world the blessings and the bounty, oh yeah

Chorus:

We’re fighting for excellence,
we’re fighting for excellence
Gotta keep on moving up,
make the most of what we’ve got
Let’s show the world what it takes to be great

We’ll keep fighting on
We’ll keep fighting on
We’ll keep fighting on

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Fighting for Excellence

Early in my term as Mayor of Olongapo, I was looking for a slogan that would capture the ideals of my constituents, who at that time were beginning to reap numerous awards. I realized that this must be the essence of my governance thrust, to continue to aspire for excellence in every aspect of what we want as a people, in step with the buzzwords of the times such as International Competitiveness, World Trade and Global IT. So, Olongapo City should aim for these and not just be contended with being one of the best cities in the country, but rather as one of the greatest cities in the world by relentlessly Fighting for Excellence.

"Sibit-Sibit"

(by: James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. and Ric Garcia)

Noong unang panahon
Sa Baybayin ng Olongapo
Kay daming / maliit na Bangka
Na gamit / pangisda
Sibit – Sibit / kung tawagin
Sibit – sibit Sibit – sibit
Bahagi na / ng / maya / mang / kultura ng bayan
Sibit – sibit,  Sibit – sibit
Sibit – sibit,  Sibit – sibit

II.
Tayo naman ngayon
Balik-tanaw sa Sibit – sibit
Awitan, sayawan at kasayahang
Tila / walang hanggan
Sibit – Sibit / kung tawagin
Sibit – sibit Sibit – sibit
Alaala / sa munting / bangkang / Pina / kinabangan
Sibit – sibit, Sibit – sibit
Sibit – sibit, Sibit – sibit

Chorus:

Mga pare, mga Mare
Mga bata’t / matanda
Sibit – sibit ay i/pag/di/wang
Masaya tayong lahat, ooop!

Tayo naman ngayon
Balik-tanaw sa Sibit – sibit
Awitan, sayawan at kasayahang
Tila walang hanggan
Sibit-sibit / kung tawagin
Sibit-sibit, Sibit – sibit
Alaala/ sa munting/ bangkang/ pina/ kinabangan

1Sibit – sibit, Sibit – sibit
2Sibit – sibit, Sibit – sibit
3Sibit – sibit, Sibit – sibit
4Sibit – sibit, Sibit – sibit
5Sibit – sibit, Sibit – sibit
6Sibit – sibit, Sibit – sibit

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Sibit-Sibit

Sibit-Sibit is a narrative of the economic activities in the old Olongapo where native Olongapeños use small boats called Sibit-Sibit for fishing. It is comparable to the Moro’s Vintas of the South. But as urbanization continues to grow, sibit-sibit gradually decreased leaving behind a tradition once dominating the bay.  Sibit-Sibit is now being promoted to bring back the history through the Sibit-Sibit festival. Likewise, the use of small boats or sibit-sibit both for fishing and tourism is being encouraged.

"Pinoy! Check nang Check"

(by: James “Bong” Gordon)

I.

Pinoy may problema ka nga ba
Pinoy may problema ka nga ba

Pinoy dapat mangarap ka
Pinoy aba magsikap ka
Pinoy dapat matuto ka
Pinoy aba mag-aral ka
Chack nang check

Check nang check
Check nang check nang
Check nang check

Check nang check
Check nang check
Check nang check nang
Check nang check

II.

Pinoy saan ka nga ba papunta
Pinoy saan ka nga ba papunta

Ang bukas ay naghihintay
At sa iyo’y ibibigay
Kung may/roong sikap at/ tiyaga
Makakamtan ang nilaga

Check nang check
Check nang check
Check nang check nang
Check nang check

Check nang check
Check nang check
Check nang check nang
Check nang check

III.

Pinoy may pag-asa kappa ba…
Pinoy may pag-asa kappa ba…

Pinoy dapat magbago ka
Pinoy wag lagging/ umaasa
Kumilos ka, magsikap ka
Maaabot ang biyaya

Check nang check
Check nang check
Check nang check nang
Check nang check

Check nang check
Check nang check
Check nang check nang
Check nang check

IV.

Pinoy abot-kamay ang tagumpay
Pinoy abot-kamay ang tagumpay

Tagumpay na inaasam,
Gamitin sa kabutihan,
Wag na wag kalimutan,
Maykapal na nagbibigay

Check nang check
Check nang check
Check nang check nang
Check nang check

Check nang check
Check nang check
Check nang check nang
Check nang check

Rap:

Pinoy! Check Nang Check

Pinoy! Check ng Check is a combination of two songs, created amidst shouts of a balut vendor who awakened me once when I was still a congressman. It was a desperate voice hoping to catch attention for a meager income. His voice kept ringing in my mind that I immediately started writing lyrics about his plight and the Filipino people who despite working of working very hard are not seeing their dream coming. Pinoy! Check ng Check is a reminder for people to evaluate their progress, redicrect plans and constantly adjust, if needed, to suit the requirements of changing times.

Check ng check kung alam may kulang
Katamaran sobra na’to iwasan
Mangarap ka pano wag tumunganga
Hanapin mo, tuklasin ang biyaya
Pinoy po ako sa puso at sa diwa
Sipag at tiyaga dala ko ang pag-asa
Determinasyon para ka makaahon
Sa hirap ng buhay magsumikap ka dapat
Tuloy pa rin ang laban, kahit tadtad na nang sugat 
Di paaawat malalim man lahat ng dagat
Sa hampas ng alon, ako pa rin aahon
Magtatagumpay sa ngalan ng ating panginoon
Check nang check kung gusto mo umahon
Sa lungsod mo ba’y, buhay mo’y sumusulong
Check nang check sa nag-oopisina 
Stop na chika magtrabaho ka muna 
Check nang check sa mga nagta-traffic
Boss nakalusot baka merong inipit 
Check nang check guro ko sa eskwela
Itama n’yo kabataan sa t’wina
Check nang check tindera diyan sa bangketa 
Itapon sa lugar ng wasto ang basura 

(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)
(check nang check)

Check ng check, Check ng check
Check ng check hanggang ma-perfect… owww! Wowww…

Pwede bang Cash!

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"Balimbing"

(by: James “Bong” Gordon, Jr.)

Balimbing, kay sarap ng bunga ng balimbing,
Sa lasa’y matamis at maasim
O kay sarap-sarap ng balimbing.

Balimbing, ang tawag sa kanila’y balimbing
Pag ito’y nakakuha ng salapi
Kailangan ng tumupi sa ibang sapi

Chorus:

Sana wag na kayong lumipat kay Tarat
Di maganda ang taong di tapat
Kung lahat ng pinoy magsisikap
(all together) Lahat-lahat tayo as sisikat

Balimbing, marami sa atin ay balimbing
Pag sila’y nakakuha ng salapi
Kailangan ng tumupi sa ibang sapi

Chorus:

Sana wag na kayong lumipat kay Tarat
Di maganda ang taong di tapat
Kung lahat ng pinoy magsisikap
(all together) Lahat-lahat tayo as sisikat

Balimbing, parang bituin ang bungang balimbing,
Ngunit kung iba ang yong paningin,
Baka ika’y magka-duling-duling.

Balimbing, kay sarap ng bunga ng balimbing
Sa lasa’y matamis at maasim
O kay sarap-sarap ng balimbing

Sip-sip, sip-sip, sip-sip, sip-sip, sip-sip

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Balimbing

The Loyola University of Chicago was my home when I took up Masteral Studies in Political Science in 1970. It was also the home of the Balimbing’s melody but I couldn’t find the inspiration for its lyrics. Balimbing remained a melody for more than 20 years. When I was elected in Congress, I was amazed at how fast and often people change their political leanings, especially the politicians who seem to change party allegiance at the drop of a hat. I was disappointed by the rigodon – the unending musical chairs, as it were – that I decided to write a song about it. Only then did I revive the melody, which I thought will no longer be unearthed and found it perfectly suited to the lyrics. Thus, the Balimbing.