Proudly her mother’s daughter
were happening to a 19-year-old undergrad from the University of the Philippines’ College of Music, Minda Azarcon’s worthy successor at the famed music studio was also on the cusp of composing her first-ever hit.
Divine intervention
Even the heavens rejoiced when Cecilia Azarcon stopped denying her innate talent for music and genuinely accepted her mother as her inspiration.
For when she tried her hand at composing as her mother did, what she can only describe as “divine intervention” ultimately opened the artist to her life’s purpose.
“’Lift Up Your Hands’ was more than just a song,” said the hitmaker of her first composition, which gave Basil Valdez his most iconic song.
“Who would have imagined that an inspirational piece would grace the airwaves? Or that when I penned that song, both lyrics and melody flowed within just 10 minutes,” Azarcon narrated.
“It felt divinely inspired,” she added almost in a whisper, still in awe to this day by the gift she received from the greatest Creator of all.
“It was as if I didn’t need to consult any source, not even the Bible, though the lyrics are rooted in Matthew 11:28,” she recalled.
The song just came naturally to the newfound composer following a call with a troubled friend who happened to be the daughter of her church pastor. After offering the friend her comfort and praying together, “Lift Up Your Hands” simply started flowing out of Azarcon and set her off on her storied and successful journey as a songwriter.
“I firmly believe the success of ‘Lift Up Your Hands’ was ordained by God. How did I find myself playing the song out of the blue when I tagged along with a cousin who worked at Vicor Records? Why did Basil pass by that exact moment to hear my impromptu performance and, then and there, express his interest in recording it for his album?”
An even more moving story found its way to Azarcon after the song had been released and distributed across radio stations in the hope of being played.
“The DJ who first played it faced repercussions for deviating from the usual playlist and choosing to air an inspirational song. But its instant popularity saved his job.
“So to this day, ‘Lift Up Your Hands’ remains my most treasured creation. It is a testament to divine timing and intervention and truly led me on a journey beyond my wildest dreams.”
Worthy celebration
To consider, even for a second, that the world could have missed out on Cecile Azarcon’s gift and immeasurable contribution to Philippine Music is unthinkable. Had she been stubborn and insisted on what she thought she wanted as a young girl — anything but her mother’s music-centered life — the careers of many OPM stars may not have become the way they are today. While Basil Valdez was already a hitmaker, it was crossing paths with Azarcon and her incredible composition that sealed his greatness.
Likewise, generations of Filipinos would have never found the perfect songs to accompany them across life’s most significant events. Whether finally finding the love of your life (“So it’s you, I’ve been waiting for so long...”); losing love and moving on (“Even if you mean the whole damn world to me, I can forget you, wait and see...”); facing an insurmountable crisis (“Lift up your hands to God and he’ll show you the way”); and even saying goodbye to a beloved (“You will always be a special part of me, You will always be a special memory...”), Azarcon has given us the lyrics and melodies to see us through.
On the other hand, Azarcon’s unexpected revelation should only make her 45th anniversary as a composer all the more special and meaningful, and in every way worthy of a grand tribute concert Viva Live is currently preparing for her at the Theater at Solaire on May 24 and 25.
Nothing less than an all-star event that will surely make history in Philippine Music, the list of performers who are profoundly honored to be part of “Cecile Azarcon: A 45th Anniversary Concert” features Kuh Ledesma, Janno Gibbs, Jam Morales, Fe de los Reyes, Jackielou Blanco, Mark Bautista, and Timmy Pavino on both nights, with Martin Nievera, Iwi Laurel, and Nicole Asensio joining them on May 24, and Ogie Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Katrina Velarde on May 25.
Azarcon, who last visited the Philippines in 2017 long before the pandemic, said she cannot wait to return for the musical event. Truly touched and overwhelmed to receive such importance from the industry, she is also eager to express her undying gratitude to everyone who has played a part in her remarkable musical career. “This concert is also my way of thanking Boss Vic (del Rosario of the Viva conglomerate), who gave me my break and recorded ‘Lift Up Your Hands’ under Vicor Records; Homer Flores, who arranged most of my hits and all my arrangers; all the artists who sang my songs; and all the DJs, as well as the media, for all their support in the past four and a half decades.”
Saving the best for last before ultimately thanking God for blessing her with 45 prolific years in the music industry, Azarcon also revealed her plans to honor her mother during the concert.
“I composed a piano piece for my mom called ‘Memories of You.’ I wrote it a year after she passed away. My mom passed on November 19, 2021. It has no lyrics; it’s just a melody, and I will play it in public for the first time at my homecoming.”
When she does, Cecile Azarcon, who triumphantly established a name, identity, and legacy for herself outside her mother’s shadow, wouldn’t mind if anyone mistakes her for Minda Azarcon on stage.
“Like I said, it was my mother who shaped me, and it is because of her that I am who I am today, and I will always be grateful for that,” she ended.