The truth about Rosas Pandan
The issue about the real authorship of the Christmas song Ang Pasko ay
Sumapit (with lyrics by Levi Celerio, predated by a few year by the original Cebuano song called Kasadya Ning Taknaa by Vicente Rubi) has drawn various reactions, one of them contained in the following letter which I’m printing
in full without any comment: Dear Mr. Lo: I am Rebecca Lopez Montaño, the only remaining daughter of the late Cebuano composer, Domingo “Minggoy” Lopez who died in January 1981 without having a will. Thus, by operation of law, I became the legal heir and administrator of his original compositions or intellectual property.
I came across your article on “The true story behind Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, other Filipino songs,” Dec. 1, 2014 issue of
The STAR. I don’t know where Mr. Ivar Tulfo Gica got his information but he is totally wrong because my father, Minggoy Lopez, is the real author of
Rosas Pandan, not Piux Kabajar. The following documents in our possession can speak for themselves:
• Annex “A” — is a photocopy of the lyrics of
Rosas Pandan in my father’s own handwriting as found in his notebook which contains also his other original compositions;
• Annex “B” — is a certified true copy of Copyright Registration of Rosas Pandan;
• Annex “C” — is a machine copy of the musical score of Rosas Pandan submitted as part of our application for copyright registration;
• Annex “D” — is a photocopy of the contract on royalty basis for Rosas Pandan between my father and MARECO, Inc. represented by Mr. Manuel P. Villar, the owner.
Rosas Pandan was actually composed as the theme song for the play or zarzuela
Rosas Pandan which was written by Mr. Piux Kabajar. By the way, do you know that my father also composed all the songs, music and lyrics, for another zarzuela titled Tirana, written by Mr. Emiliano Gabuya? As additional information,
Rosas Pandan is only one of the more than 200 original compositions of my father, and at least 110 of his songs had already been published by recording companies from Manila and Cebu since the 1950s. But he died a poor man because, like the other Cebuano composers, he, too, was a victim of injustice.
His other original compositions include: Kamingaw sa Payag, Krutsay Sakayanon, Kagahapon ug Karon, Bukidnon, Akong Gugma, Salimu-ang sa Hubog, Hagki Ako, Pag-utlan and many more.
Hoping this clarification will find space in your next column, I remain.
Respectfully yours, — REBECCA LOPEZ
MONTAÑO No. 14 Paseo Susano, Cadahu-an, Talamban Cebu City