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Preface from Amapola: I had the good fortune to grow up amongst many talented musical and lyrical composers like "Tio Ben" (Tatay Karpo) Zubiri, "Tio Toting" - Sat. A. Villarino, "Tio Mil" - Emil Villareal, "Tio Maning" - Maning Villareal and of course my father Mane' Cabase now known as Mahnee. I wish I had more awareness as a child that I was amongst some of the most brilliant composers of our time. Fortunately, my Dad Mahnee who is in great health and chutzpah keeps me on my toes with my music and our Cebuano musical heritage. I just wish I had been more aware then. Would I have been a more prolific composer myself?

On a recent trip to Reno, Nevada with my parents Mahnee & Sheila Cabase, I had the privelege of a very long and in-depth converstaon with my Dad about Tio Ben a.k.a. "Tatay Karpo" or Ben Zubiri. My Dad had such vivid memory of Zubiri as a composer. "I was there when the song "Matud Nila" was conceived." said my Dad, Mahnee. "He was never content with 'Matud Nila'." The song used to be in full "minor" genre and was finished and sung in that form. Later, Ben was told that in deference to what was popular then, "Matud Nila" should change from 'minor' to 'major' thus ending the song  in 'major' flavor. So Ben changed the song as you would hear it today. But, he was never sure and he was never content with 'Matud Nila'. Geniuses are always like that" my Dad added. I know what he means because I grew up hearing all of my father's compositions and singing most of them and his songs are never static. They are in constant creative mode - because he is that way, just like Ben "Tatay Karpo" Zubiri, Tio Ben to me.

Amapola, May 26,2001

Source:  http://www.esprint.com.ph/pointcebu/profile/cabajar.htm
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Reprinted from the book: Cebu: More Than an Island
Honi: The Music of Cebu
By: Reynaldo E. Martires 

Ben "Karpo" Zubiri
A Composer And a Song

For many Cebuanos, Iyo Karpo is a household name. A stage, movie and radio personality, his real name is Ben Zubiri (1911-1969). As a child, he displayed musical abilities, delighting family and friends with dances and songs, and performing at school programs at the San Nicholas Elementary School where he studied. He soon joined singing contests and became so enamored with the stage that he forsook going to college.

Before the outbreak of the Second World War, he was already making a name for himself, appearing on stage and on screen. He starred in the first Cebuano “talkie”, Bertoldo-Balodoy. After the war, he continued to appear in the movies but also cultivated a large following as a radio personality. He worked at KZRC as a comedian for radio plays and offered counsel on matters of the heart and home on the program Purico Amateur Hour.

Iyo Karpo composed and wrote songs. It was in 1941 that he recorded his famous composition, Matud Nila (They Say). The song became popular until after the war.

With its haunting melody and romantic idealism. Matud Nila achieved the status of an “immortal Cebuano song.” (Tagalog lyrics were supplied for this song by Levi Celerio, under the title Ikaw na Lamang) The opening lines of the song are typical of the traditional harana (serenade), the plaint of a humble lover, conscious of social censure, who offers the gift of a love “more precious than gold.”

*Matud nila ako dili angay
Nga magmanggad sa imong gugma,
Matud nila ikaw dili malipay
Kay wa akoy bahandi nga kanimo igasa;
Gugmang putli mao day pasalig,
Maoy bahanding labaw sa bulawan…

Reprinted from the book: Cebu: More Than an Island
Honi: The Music of Cebu
By: Reynaldo E. Martires