MANILA, Philippines — If he didn’t defy the earlier wishes of his parents — Alberto Cayabyab and soprano Celerina Venson Pujante — not to make a career out of music, there would have been no multi-awarded composer and musician who eventually became National Artist for Music.
There would have been no beautiful songs that we would remember, no memorable musicals that we would swoon to and no young artists whom he discovered to sing his renowned compositions onstage.
Mr. C, as Ryan Cayabyab is fondly called, set aside his Maestro tag for the night and embraced the “Gen C” title for the concert tribute to his 70th birthday held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.
The title, “Gen C,” is apparently a play on the first letter of Mr. C’s last name and in reference to today’s youth.
In white sneakers, Mr. C sauntered onstage without scores of music sheets on the piano, but an Ipad where all the songs for the night were methodically arranged.
“Tonight, we have three generations of artists who are all good,” Mr. C. addressed the full-house crowd. “I’m still grateful I still get to do this at 70 years old.”
The Ryan Cayabyab Singers delivered the opening salvo, Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, the song that won the grand prize for Mr. C in the 1978 Metro Manila Popular Music Festival, interpreted by Hajji Alejandro. That was followed by Ateneo Chamber Singers’ (ACS) delivery of Hibang sa Awit.
Basil Valdez took centerstage and crooned Paraisong Parisukat, the first song written by Mr. C that won in the FAMAS (1977) for an Elwood Perez movie, “Masikip, Maluwang Paraisong Parisukat,” where he was tapped to do the musical score.
Mr. C was thrilled when he first heard Paraisong Parisukat on radio, his composition for the Alma Moreno and Christopher de Leon film.
Next, Basil carried out another original, Nais Ko. Through the years, Basil recorded a number of Mr. C. originals that became memorable anthems.
“Sabi nga ni George Canseco sa akin the first time my first song came out, ‘Welcome to the world of the immortals.’ I didn’t understand him at that time. So, I asked, ‘Ano po ang ibig sabihin noon?’ Siyempre, bata pa ako noon. George explained, ‘Pag namatay ka, ang mga kanta mo, buhay pa.’”
The vocal quartet, The CompanY, delivered Limang Dipang Tao, followed by Tsismis playfully sung by Kakai Bautista, Mikee Bradshaw and Phi Palmos, with the ACS.
Kailan was a composition Mr. C wrote for the Smokey Mountain, one of the first young groups that he had the honor to mentor and train.
A visibly nervous Belle Mariano was onstage to sing the Smokey Mountain hit, which she nonetheless carried out beautifully without a hitch.
“I really love to teach,” admitted Mr. C. “I was teaching in UP (University of the Philippines) for 20 years. Then, my wife (Emy) and I put up the Music School of Ryan Cayabyab. Teaching is my home. When I was starting out in this industry, I met some of the kindest musicians. I learned from them.
“Wala pa ako sa UP College of Music, the musicians already explained to me how to read music and how to do it. Naniniwala kami that the generation following us is better than us.”
Even during rehearsals, when Mr. C played the familiar strains of the TV program, “Sineskwela,” everyone was familiar to the strains and started to sing. “Sabi nila, hindi ka batang ‘90s kung hindi mo alam ang kantang ‘to,” he shared.
The “Sineskwela” theme was rendered in a different approach and sound delivered by Bandang Dilaw.
Nyoy Volante sang one of the most popular songs of Smokey Mountain, Da Coconut Nut with the RCS. The Philippine Coconut Authority even gave Mr. C an award when that novelty song came out.
“Did you see what music has given me, my family, all my friends who joined us all tonight. All of you who chose to spend this evening with us. I wish she could see how music gives us so much joy and comfort, and helps us keep going, dreaming and hoping for a better world.”
Mr. C not only did musical scores for films, but memorable themes, too. Bituin Escalante belted out the powerful Hello Joe, Goodbye, megged by National Artist for Film, Eddie Romero’s “Desire” (1982).
Meanwhile, ACS carried out the soothing Iduyan Mo originally from Basil Valdes, from Eddie Romero’s “Agila.” This year would have been the director’s 100th birthday.
What brought the house down was the powerful rendition of SB19’s Stell of the well-applauded Sometime, Somewhere.
When producer Celeste Legaspi first heard Stell’s version, which Mr. C even augmented a key higher, she remarked, “Kamangha-mangha. Sure na ang future ng Philippine music.”
Gloc-9 followed with the Sarsi theme, Angat sa Iba. Jed Madela did a medley of Gary Valenciano’s Once Upon a Life and Martin Nievera’s How Can I, both penned by Mr. C.
When her turn came, another stellar guest, Regine Velasquez, remarked, “Ang gagaling ng mga singers. Buti na lang maganda ako tonight. Pangsimba ko lang ito,” referring to her flowing white gown.
She sang Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka, which she earlier also recorded, as well as Araw Gabi.
Mr. C and Mrs. C (Emmy Cayabyab) did a duet of Tunay na Ligaya, a song he penned for their wedding and was adapted as the title of his first painting exhibit last year.
For the musical suite, John Arcilla sang Hindi Simple ang Buhay originally by Hajji Alejandro, from Larawan.
Karylle Tatlonghari and Poppert Bernadas carried out the hauntingly sentimental Magbalik Ka Na, Mahal, from “Rama Hari,” with lyrics by National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera.
Shiela Valderrama Martinez and Arman Ferrer did a duet of Pamamaalam, from the “Noli Me Tangere” musical, with lyrics by Bienvenido Lumbera.
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Nonie Buencamino sang Ang Muwebles from “Larawan” musical, with lyrics by National Artist for Theater Rolando Tinio.
Aicelle Santos impressively did scathing ala vaudeville artist Katy de la Cruz in Aba Ba Ba Boogie, from the musical, “Katy.”
Mr. C ended the night with Smokey Mountain’s moving number, A Better World, which he started with the first few lines, followed by Broadway actress Lea Salonga, then Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Hajji Alejandro and a host of artists who sang the popular piece.
Other artists joined in singing the ballad — Geneva Cruz, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Krina Cayabyab, Pops Fernandez, Rachel Alejandro, Celeste Legaspi, Kuh Ledesma, Mitch Valdes, Jim Paredes, Morissette, Nanette Inventor, Nonoy Zuñiga, Agot Isidro, Odette Quesada, Raymond Lauchengco, and couple Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli.
Celeste Legaspi and Girlie Rodis produced “Gen C” for Culturtain Productions with surgeon Melfred Hernandez and Aaron Veloso.
All the artists were accompanied by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO). The May 11 and 12 shows were directed by Rowell Santiago.