Column: credit for 'Ang Pasko ay Sumapit' belongs to three songwriters, not one
An Edge Davao opinion column traces the beloved Tagalog carol back to a 1933 Cebuano song and argues that its original creators deserve equal recognition.
The Christmas carol 'Ang Pasko ay Sumapit' should be credited to three men, not just National Artist Levi Celerio, argues a 'Think On These' column published by Edge Davao.
According to the column, the melody first appeared in Cebu in 1933, when musician Vicente Daclan Rubi composed 'Kasadya Ning Taknaa,' with lyrics by Mariano Vestil. The title roughly means 'How Joyful This Season Is.' The column says historical accounts show the song won acclaim at a Cebu Christmas songwriting event and spread through the Visayas by word of mouth, choirs and community celebrations, long before radio and television could make songs national hits.
Celerio later wrote Tagalog lyrics to Rubi's tune, producing 'Ang Pasko ay Sumapit.' The column stresses that this was a new Tagalog text set to the existing melody, not a word-for-word translation, and that this distinction is at the centre of the long-running authorship dispute.
As the Tagalog version became a national favourite, some recordings, songbooks and public references credited only Celerio, the column notes. Cebuanos and music historians objected to what they saw as the erasure of Rubi and Vestil, and researchers and cultural advocates have since worked to correct the record.
The writer argues that historical documentation consistently identifies Rubi as composer and Vestil as author of the original Cebuano words, while Celerio's contribution was the Tagalog adaptation that carried the song across the country.
Both versions remain popular, according to the column. 'Kasadya Ning Taknaa' is still a cherished standard in Cebu, Bohol, parts of Negros, Leyte and many communities in Mindanao, often sung in its original Cebuano. 'Ang Pasko ay Sumapit,' meanwhile, is taught to schoolchildren, sung by church choirs and played on radio every holiday season.
The writer concludes that the two songs are companions rather than rivals, and that remembering all the artists behind them is a fitting tribute during a season of gratitude.
Why it matters for Davao
The column notes that 'Kasadya Ning Taknaa' remains a cherished carol in many Mindanao communities, so the question of who gets credit touches a song many local families and choirs sing every December.
This article was written by the DavaoNews desk with AI assistance, using reporting by Edge Davao. Facts come from the original report, which we credit and link below. Our editorial policy
Discussion (1)
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Sign in to commentI grew up singing 'Kasadya Ning Taknaa' every December. Did you know this history behind it? Which version do you sing at home, Cebuano or Tagalog? 🎄