“Wondering” Wonder

I just rediscovered—or should I say discovered—this wonderful old song, Nakapagtataka. It was written by APO Hiker Jim Paredes and sung by Hajji Alejandro. When it first came out in the 70s I was so not into OPM. I was such a snob, the only OPM song I really liked was Manila by The Hotdogs. But I was familiar with Hajji’s song, though I never really bothered to listen to the lyrics.

Cut to last week: I was reading a magazine article in which the writer listed his top 10 OPM songs of all time. Nakapagtataka made it in his list. Curious, I decided to check out the APO version, which I have at home. Sung by the composer, Jim’s version was very APO, very laid-back.

Yesterday while I was seated beside an editor, I happened to glance at his CD rack. Lo and behold, there it was: Hajji Alejandro Collection. On the cover it said “featuring Nakapagtataka.” Jackpot!

The writer was right; Hajji’s version of the song is one of the saddest OPMs ever recorded. It begins with a lonely piano intro, at first wistful and tentative, then gathers strength. Then Hajji starts singing; at first he keeps it all in. Playing it cool, he ponders about a love not lost but still gone wrong.

Walang tigil ang gulo
Sa aking pag-iisip
Mula ng tayo’y nagpasyang maghiwalay
Nagpaalam pagkat hindi tayo bagay,
Nakapagtataka, oooh.

Kung bakit ganito
Ang aking kapalaran—
Di ba’t ilang ulit ka nang nagpaalam?
At bawat paalam ay puno ng iyakan,
Nakapagtataka, nakapagtataka.

Then he lets lose the refrain, a cry for truce.

Hindi ka ba napapagod,
O di kaya nagsasawa
Sa ating mga tampuhan?
Walang hanggang katapusan.

Napahid na’ng mga luha,
Damdamin at puso’y tigang.
Wala nang maibubuga,
Wala na ‘kong maramdaman.

And he goes on, slowly letting his guard down.

Walang tigil ang ulan,
at nasaan ka araw?
Napa’no na’ng pag-ibig sa isa’t-isa?
Wala na bang nananatiling pag-asa?
Nakapagtataka, saan na napunta.

By the time he repeats the refrain, he drops his reserve and lets loose his feelings of frustration, helplessness and bewilderment.

Kung tunay tayong nagmamahalan,
Ba’t di tayo magkasunduan? Oooh….

And the song ends as it began, with a piano solo that is wistful and sad. Bravo! This song now qualifies for The McVie List of Songs To Slash Your Wrists By.

*****

While I was finishing this episode, a strong earthquake hit at around 10:45p.m. I’m guessing it was around 4.0 on the Richter scale. We’ll see tomorrow.