Superstar ng Buhay Ko: The Cinderella song for Nora Aunor

It all started 50 years ago. The year was 1975, a most important one in the annals of the Philippine music industry. That was when Manila Sound began, a new pop music style that would lead to the golden age of local popular music in the ‘70s.

That was when composer and bassist Dennis Garcia shook the very foundations of lyric writing by mixing English and Filipino words in songs like Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko and Pers Lab, which became big hits for his band Hotdog.

To ride on the trend, Vicor Music formed its own band named Cinderella and released the single T.L. Ako Sa ‘yo. The song was also a mix of English and Filipino lyrics as in T.L., standing for True Love. Of course, T.L. Ako Sa ‘yo also became a huge seller.

When a band hits it big with a single, the next logical step is to come out with a studio album fast. Instantly songs were gathered to make up the Cinderella debut LP. It was a mix of upbeat pop and in keeping with the trend established by Pers Lab and T.L. Ako Sa ‘yo, had a lot of romantic ballads. Among those was Superstar ng Buhay Ko.

At about the same time, Nora Aunor, the singer and actress known as the superstar because of her phenomenal following, was putting together a new album for Vicor. I was choosing the songs to be included when composer and producer Sunny Ilacad came to me.

He said, “’Di ba maganda pakanta natin kay Nora ang Superstar ng Buhay Ko? Superstar siya, pero kakanta siya ng Ikaw ang Superstar ng Buhay Ko.” I thought it was a brilliant idea.

Written by Sunny with his younger brother Chito, the Cinderella song made it to Nora’s new album. Titled Noon at Ngayon, the LP had Filipino standards like Kapantay ay Langit, Hinahanap Kita and Ang Daigdig Ko’y Ikaw on one side and Manila Sound tunes like Sige Na Naman Bati Na Tayo, Puppy Love and Superstar ng Buhay Ko on the other.

By the way, there was no need for Nora to drastically switch her singing style. Her lovely, expressive voice easily lent itself to the Manila Sound and proof of that is still heard today.

Cinderella girl soloist Yolly Samson passed away from complications of brain cancer last Nov. 21, 1997. Chito, to whom Yolly was married, also died last June 11, 2024. A few days ago, last April 16, we also lost Nora Aunor. But Superstar ng Buhay Ko lives on.

The song is one of the many that resound while Nora, now a National Artist for Film and Television, lies in state. Friends and fans who come to mourn and pay their respects, punctuate their visit with a rendition of Superstar ng Buhay Ko dedicated to their fallen idol.

I watch the tear-drenched faces and I hear the song taking on a new deeper, more beautiful meaning. It is no longer just another sweet Manila Sound love song. And it feels so fitting that it is Nora Aunor who has effortlessly taken it as her own. And now we sing…

“Kung alam mo lang/ ikaw ang superstar ng buhay ko/ ‘Di mo ba pansin/ may crush ako sa ‘yo/ ‘Sang kindat mo lang/ Kinikilig na ako sa ‘yo.

“Ikaw ang superstar/ ang star ng buhay ko/ mahirap ma-in love sa isang katulad mo/ ikaw ang superstar/ ang star ng buhay ko/ mahirap ma-in love sa isang katulad mo.

“Ako ay dead sa ‘yo/ ‘Di ko malaman ang gayuma mo/ Mayroon ka pa yatang anting-anting/ Sa ‘yong pag-smile/ hinihimatay sila sa ‘yo.

“Ikaw ang superstar…”