Potenciano Valladolid Gregorio

The man who immortalized “Sarung Banggi” the song that would become Bikol’s regional anthem...

1910. In a little town of then ‘Libog’ (now Sto. Domingo). “like a child afraid to swim, clinging on the skirt of Mayon Volcano while its feet are buried into the Albay Gulf...” writes Hilario B. Balilo, a historian about the sleepy, serene town where a native ‘libognon’ would compose a native song that remain in Bicolanos lips for centuries to come. Potenciano V. Gregorio was the second child of Narciso Gregorio and Canuta Valladolid. A child prodigy, he could play the violin at three. His first teacher was Fr. Jorge I. Barlin, the curate of Libog from 1883 to 1885. Born on May 19, 1880, he could play almost any instrument as he grew up.

A brilliant composer he had three major compositions before his death on February 12, 1939. Unfortunately, the ancestral home of the Gregorios built in 1840 burned on January 19, 1961, along with his works.

A nephew, Justo B. Gregorio, 73 years of age in an interview in 1962 said that “Uncle Potin did write Sarung Banggi wrote the lyrics one night when the chirping of a bird and rustling of the leaves woke him one night...” The first bars and lyrics of the song would create a long lasting impression of bicolanos who heard of this wonderfully simple melody for over 100 years. To this day, Sarung Banggi is undauntedly as immortal as the majestic Mt. Mayon where as faith or nature would have it, lies on its foot Libog today still a quiet town has initiated a Sarung Banggi Festival in 2002 under the leadership by its youthful Mayor Herbie B. Aguas. “The Sarung Banggi song identifies us as Bicolanos, Dominguenos are prouder still to claim a native son...” the youthful Mayor claims with pride.

The popularity of the song surpassed the coastlines of Bicol. It has been recorded by many artists through many arrangements and has earned its rightful place in the annals of music history. Erwin Gregorio, a descendant of the composer says that “It has been translated into over a 36 different languages... even school children can sing this song.”

In August 15, 1910, in a Guinobatan fiesta, the song was first played in public. It would take another 7 years for his hometown of Libog, to hear Potenciano’s now familiar tune.

At the prodding of his friend, Judge Albert Somerselle, he joined the Philippine Constabulary Band, under the baton of then, Col. Walter H. Loving. Potenciano would play the song on his banduriya, then the piano to the delight of the Sunday crowd in public concerts at the Luneta.

In 1938, he was chosen to compete against other musicians at the Golden Gate International Exposition in the United States. While on board the S.S. President Pierce, he was struck with pneumonia. He was rushed to Fort Shatter Hospital in Honolulu where he died shortly thereafter.

He was survived then by his wife, Dominga Martinez Duran and his children, Salvador, Victoria, Narciso, Eriberto, Monico and Potenciano. To this day, there is one surviving child who lives in Pasay City today.

Potenciano V. Gregorio died with a rank of corporal. If there are intances where the song is easily recalled and not the composer, Potenciano would have, nevertheless beamed with appreciation that ‘one night’, while birds were chirping amidst the rustling of leaves, a song was born. The legacy of his musical genius, inspired by the beauty of Mayon, on her feet, lay, Sto. Domingo (Libog) a small town with a big claim to Bicol history. The legacy of Potenciano V. Gregorio’s Sarung Banggi continues to flourish.

Matilde Ty Barrios, former SDHCS President, wrote that in 1966 Sarung Banggi was chosen as the theme song of the United Nations newsreel for world release on the occasion of its 20th Anniversary. The documentary film featured the UN Choral with a perfectly Bicol enunciated tune of Sarung Banggi.

His birthdate is celebrated each year in Sto. Domingo. With the creation of the Sto. Domingo Historical and Cultural Society, on February 8, 1975 to coincide with the composer’s 95th birthdate, the townspeople have invigorated plans to bring more attention and homage it deserves. There are plans to transfer the ‘restros’ of the revered composer from La Loma Cemetery in Manila to his home in Sto. Domingo to have a proper Mousoleum. A more ambitious plan is to depict his life through a film. A fitting tribute to a man and his immortal composition, a song that has given Bicolanos a proud and deep sense of identity, where ever they may be.

Mayor Herbie B. Aguas and Kgwd. Felly Acosta of Sto. Domingo, Chairman of the Tourism Council is working hard with Cong. Edcel Lagman of the 1st District of Albay to bring the ‘Maestro’ home.

Ms. Maryann Huenefield, RSA Publications Albay Bureau Chief is the tireless ‘ambassadress’ of Goodwill Tourism Consultant in Albay, proud of outstanding albayanos prouder still to showcase the breathtaking sites tourists would love to see.

Like the imposing Mayon, Cagsawa ruins’ solemn serenity, Sarung Banggi will continue to flourish as the melody and tune passes down from one generation to another. As we look up to admire the beauty of Mayon, we ‘hear the silent, calming serenade of Sarung Banggi.