When I went back to St. Luke’s Hospital to get my son’s blood test results, I met Nelson Del Castillo, their resident pianist. He’s at St. Luke’s Quezon City in the morning and in Global in the afternoon until 7 o-clock in the evening. His wife’s a pediatrician who holds clinic there.
I heard him playing as I walked towards the escalator. I approached him and asked if he could play an opera song.
He started playing excerpts from CATS, the musical.
When I asked where else does he play, if he sings, etc. he told me he has three hit compositions.
I thought it was so rude of me not to introduce myself, so I did. When he heard the name Yee, he asked if I am related to Edward Yee. Edward is Edmund’s elder brother.
According to him, he worked for Edward for several years, playing the piano in Sugbahan, his bar-restaurant in Iloilo. That place became very popular in the 80s, but just like many other restaurants, it had its life span and death. Nelson left Iloilo and moved to Manila after his songs became very popular. He had to come to Manila to promote his albums on the radio and television.
Nelson also knows Edmund, his mother, and other siblings. Small world ano?
I saw him there again last week. Friends na kami.
Here’s Nelson playing his other hit composition “You’re my Best Friend”.
He said his songs are on You Tube. I found this one- uploaded by R. Detoyato.
IF, uploaded by boogoizz
I like all his songs,the lyrics i feel it so much,sad but wl said and it makes me cry.Filipino people really unique & emotional inspired what he is doing..Nelson del Castillo one of my favorite singer/composer in the 90’s i always eat my lunch/dinner at Sugbahan near iloilo supermart w/ my offismate just to see him i also met him in the 90’s at sm supermart iloilo w/ his wife & eldest son,i think 3 or 4 yrs old that time.he don’t know me but i said him ,i really love his song esp.”if” & “you’re my friend” i said him i always requested u these songs.he jaz smile & said to me thank u.pls.comeback to iloilo & u wl sing w/ us again.ms ur songs too my rgrds..God bless
Hi J Tanate, Thank you for sharing your admiration for Nelson. Thank you too for reading Oh My Buhay.
welcome!got wrong on my middle name not Tanato,it is Tanate.thank you.
offismate – officemate i used to type like this in tx that’s why..
ano nga po yung composition ni sir Nelson na na-plagiarize/plinagiarize ng isang foreign composer?
I really loved Mr. Nelson Castillo’s “If”. This song really creates a cauldron of emotions. My guitarist and I are planning to record a female version cover of this beautiful song❤️
isa sa paborito kong composer, may cassette tape ako nung album nya Beyond Heaven yata yung album, kaso di ko naalagaan 🙁 sa sobrang tagal na nun di ko na alam saan ko natago, the piano, if, youre my bestfriend, it hurts when love fails, tsaka di ko sure kung kasama sa album yung xmas song na paborito ko din Christmas for the Family, kakamiss yung dati, kaso ambilis lumipas ng panahon. Salamat po sa pagshare kahit papano nakita ko ulit sya 2014 pa pala to ngayon ko lang nadaanan. Salamat.