NMI artists present tribute to musical legend

Performing artists will give a fitting tribute to one of the CNMI’s legendary musicians, the late Frank Matagolai Pangelinan, during funeral ceremonies today at the Mt. Carmel Cathedral.

Pangelinan, who is well-known by his moniker “Bokonggo,” passed away on Dec. 4 in Guam. He was 54.

His remains arrived yesterday and were escorted to Nuestra Señora Dela Paz Memorial Chapel at the Cabrera Center.

A Mass will be held today at 11am at the Mt. Carmel Cathedral, to be followed by the internment services at the Chalan Kanoa Catholic Cemetery.

On Thursday night, several local performing artists gathered at the home of one of Bokonggo’s contemporaries, Alexandro “The Colonel” Sablan, himself a well-known musician.

Former representatives Candy Taman, one of Bokonggo’s long time partners in the music industry, was also present during the rehearsal for the tribute that they will be offering in today’s Mass.

For more than three decades, Pangelinan wrote numerous songs and produced many records for many of Guam’s musicians.

Sablan said the loss of one of the Marianas’ homegrown recording star is felt by the entire community.

“[His death] permeates through all the local Chamorro music fans on our island world. We sadly mourn the loss of a very strong advocate of the recording world of Chamorro songs with the passing of Frank Pangelinan “Bokkongo.” He is now resting but his legacy will never die,” said Sablan, who was a radio announcer for more than 20 years.

Sablan said he grew up with Bokonggo, whom he said helped shape the form of music in the CNMI.

“He always came to my shows,” he said.

Bokonggo immortalized the song Triste Yu.

Sablan recalled that Triste Yu became the all-time hit that no local artists ever matched and the song was the most requested at all radio stations.

“That song is both sad and romantic, it takes people’s breath away. It was really a very powerful song,” Sablan said.

In a letter to the editor, John S. DelRosario Jr., one of Bokonggo’s contemporary with the band Tropicsette, lauded Pangelinan’s talent, saying: “My buddy could belt anything from Latin rock to traditional songs with super renditions. Perhaps his best hit was the adaption Triste Yu that was in the hearts and minds of both young and old for many years now. This song became an international classic, picked up by other musicians the world over using their native tongue.”

In another letter, Tropicsette band leader Herbert Del Rosario cited Bokonggo’s contributions to local music such as Triste Yu, I Pution, Ingratto, Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi, Patgon Neni, Down by the Shore of Saipan, Hago I Inan I Langet, and many other popular Chamorro songs, including the Chamolinian Christmas album that Bokonggo, Candy Taman and the late Quirino Aquino recorded.

Sablan said that Bokonggo’s music will continue to live in the hearts of the people that he loved.

“I will never forget the recording trips, as we would travel to Manila on separate projects, but with the same recording studios. He was a very humorous person and was always full of vibrant energy. I asked him once about doing work other than music, and he said that he has already made up his mind to live life with his talent. To me, that became a great encouragement,’ Sablan said.

He said Bokonggo built and operated what at that time was a state-of-the-art 24-track recording studio in Yigo, Guam, producing beautiful songs.

“I managed to secure recording time at his studios and recorded major commercial productions for major companies like JC Tenorio Enterprises, Anheuser-Busch, and Continental Air Micronesia,” he said.

“I was still working at KSAI Radio in Susupe when Frank Pangelinan released the title cut Tristi Yu. As soon as I finished the debut broadcast of that song, jackpot! It immediately became the number one most requested song 10 years in a row.”