Nonoy Zuniga (Facebook)
By Annalyn S. Jusay
Published Aug 14, 2025 09:31 am
The Philippines’ King of Pop Ballads, Nonoy Zúñiga, is set to celebrate five decades in the music industry with a milestone concert Beyond Gold: Songs of a Lifetime, on Sept. 5 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, joined by an all-star lineup of guests and a program designed to revisit every era of his career.
Nonoy’s 50-year journey began long before he became famous with his legacy hit "Doon Lang.". Not many people know that this medical doctor started as a folk singer.
"Forty plus years na ako as a recording artist. Count to that five years sa banda and two years sa folk singing,’ he recalled. Before he entered showbiz, Nonoy was part of the Family Birth Control Band, and it was in one of their gigs that a bomb explosion occurred in 1980.
He survived that tragic incident with an amputated leg and transitioned to a solo career. With this move, he became known for singing some of OPM’s most iconic ballads such as Never Say Goodbye, Kumusta Ka, Doon Lang, and Love Without Time, among others. Nonoy's powerful voice and heartfelt delivery earned him the title “King of Pop Ballads” and a loyal following that spanned generations.
For his Beyond Gold concert, Nonoy is bringing back songs that reveal lesser-known parts of his career. One highlight is his performance of Basang-basa sa Ulan, which many associate with Aegis. ‘Hindi ko naman na-promote yon, e. Pero ako ang original ng kantang yan (I didn't promote it, but I sang the original of that song),’ he said.
Also on the setlist is Ako Ay Ikaw Rin, which is a sentimental choice for him. ‘It’s a song that's very personal for me. This is my song for the disabled, which I don’t normally sing,’ Nonoy shared, recalling how the late Willy Cruz discovered him when he performed it as a guest in the 4th Metropop.
Singer Nonoy Zúñiga with his concert special guests (from left): Raymond Gorospe, young artists Isha Ponti and Andrea Gutierrez
At the age of 71, Nonoy’s voice remains solid. Still, he is mindful of the realities of time, especially with the passing of his contemporaries from their group "The Hitmakers" - Hajji Alejandro and Rico J. Puno.
"Yung mga nauna, ay nakakalungkot. Kasi sabi ko, bakit ganun? Mga bata pa sila," he said of Rico and Hajji. ‘Kailangan talaga, may yearly o twice a year nag-check-up. Parang maagapan."
(It's sad that they had to die early because they were still relatively young. A health check-up once or twice a year is necessary for preventive maintenance.)
Staying relevant
Nonoy acknowledged that it is challenging to remain relevant after 50 years in showbiz, and expressed gratitude to Vice Ganda for giving veteran performers like him a platform on Tawag ng Tanghalan in "It's Showtime," where he is a judge.
‘Thankful ako kay Vice. Yung mga Gen Z, at least nakikita pa ako ( I am thankful to Vice.At least the Gen Z still see me),’ he said.
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