TO INSPIRE others to keep going and remain strong in the midst of challenges.
This was the message The Troubadours, a local band, wanted to convey when it released a Chinese translation of the classic Visayan song “Matud Nila," as it asked for solidarity with China amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Dr. Wilson Ng, businessman and manager of The Troubadours, said he specifically chose "Matud Nila" because the song's message of pure love in times of inadequacy resonated with the challenges the world is currently facing.
"We translated the song to Chinese and use it as our battle song against the virus," Ng told SunStar Cebu.
He said the concept of the song was discussed and the video was done in one week.
"Matud Nila is a love song. It has a haunting melody, but mostly, the song tells about a person's battle to win love and trust of another person, which we believe is very apt analogy to a person's battles with other challenges in life, in this case winning over a battle for one's health and life," Ng said.
Matud Nila was composed by Ben Zuburi in 1941. It has several interpretations but was made popular by singers Pilita Corrales and Susan Fuentes. The song is now in public domain.
In the music video done by The Troubadours, a pair interpreted the lyrics of the song through dance. The female dancer is seen wearing a surgical mask, to symbolize the current situation wherein people are encouraged to wear face mask to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
"We would like to dedicate this 1941 Cebu love song composed during World War II to the Chinese and people all over the world as we fight the novel coronavirus and other battles. And just like the war, we know we will win our battles," the title card of the music video read.
The video was directed by Cebuano Keit Nicko Pastorite and was arranged by Glyze Bordadora. Nino Malazarte and Ritchell Casino were the dancers in the video.
"Ta Men Shuo," the Chinese title of the song, has since gained positive reactions from netizens, who praised it for its timeliness and interpretation.
Ng said they are hoping the song will strengthen the friendship between Filipinos and Chinese nationals.
"The Chinese have undergone great economic transformation in the last 40 years and many of them have gained financially. But deep down, many still feel inadequate and not very confident. Moreover, the Filipinos are the same. We believe that using a Philippine song to give assurance of the friendship of the Filipinos to the Chinese and vice versa will go some way to improve our mutual friendship and relationship," Ng said.
The song is available on social networking sites like Facebook, as well as video streaming services like YouTube. Those who are in China can access it via Youku, a Chinese streaming platform. Anybody can also download and share it.
Watch the video here:
(JGS)