Ogie Alcasid pays tribute to George Canseco in Ngayon at Kailanman

Being a songwriter himself, Ogie Alcasid understands fully the significance of George Canseco in the development of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

Ogie recalled bumping into Canseco during an awards night a couple of years ago. The two ended up striking a conversation about songwriting and its intricacies.

"George was kind enough to remind me that a song is actually a poem," said Ogie in recollection. "So, all the exact rules in creating poetry must be followed."

The comedian-television host and the legendary songwriter would pursue their own paths after that fateful meeting.

Canseco—who estimated that he wrote a total of 300 songs—succumbed to liver cancer at the age of 70 on November 19, 2004.

Public interest on Canseco's songs, however, continues even today. Veteran and young songwriters acknowledge the legendary songsmith's ability to shape beautiful words with equally moving melodies.

Ogie eventually would rise to become a prolific songwriter in his own right, but the lessons imparted to him firsthand by Canseco continue to guide him every time he would craft melodies and lyrics.

And one way to pay homage to Canseco's lasting brilliance is to record a tribute album composed of songs he wrote that were popularized by artists such as Basil Valdez, Kuh Ledesma, Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Pilita Corrales, Dulce, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Leah Navarro, and Martin Nievera.

Ngayon at Kailanman: A Tribute to George Canseco (produced and distributed by Universal Records)is Ogie's own personal way of paying homage to the legacy left behind by Canseco.

Recording the songs, according to Ogie, was both "humbling" and "fulfilling." He also said, "Please don't compare me with all the artists who first made all these songs very popular."

Some of the songs included in the album are "Yakap," "Ngayon at Kailanman," "Ikaw," "Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo," "Kaibigan," "Paano Kita Mapapasalamatan," and "Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan."

Ogie Alcasid's Ngayon at Kailanman: A Tribute to George Canseco is now available in record bars nationwide.

TRACK LISTING.

1. Yakap
2. Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan
3. Paano Kita Mapapasalamatan
4. Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo
5. Kaibigan
6. Siya Na Ba
7. Kapantay Ay Langit
8. Kastilyong Buhangin
9. Dito Ba
10. Langis At Tubig
11. Kahapon Lamang
12. Ikaw
13. Ngayon At Kailanman
14. Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan