Ryan Cayabyab, 600 songs later
RYAN Cayabyab opmfair.com
Our hectic schedule this year prevents us from watching as many theater and concert productions as we want to, but we made sure to make time to catch “The Music of Ryan Cayabyab,” ABS-CBN’s tribute to Ryan at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater last May 3.
Since Ryan has composed an estimated 600 songs in the course of his long and exceedingly productive career, it was a tall order for the tribute show’s think tank to choose the compositions it should feature to do sufficient justice to the man and his music.
For instance, we would have wanted to experience the exceptional composition that was hailed as a top winner in the international Onassis art competition in Greece. Well, that’s something that another big Cayabyab tribute concert can showcase later this year to provide music buffs with a fuller context of and appreciation for Ryan’s over-arching artistic vision and talent.
Last May 3’s show had enough musical highlights and exceptional performances by veteran singing stars to sustain the audience’s attention and increase its admiration for Ryan’s unique gifts as composer and lyricist.
Most heartening
But, in our view, some of its most heartening moments were the performances of young and fresh soloists, whose outstanding renditions assured us that the future of musical performance in this country remains bright!
Topping our list of exciting vocal interpretations was Morissette Amon’s rendition of Cayabyab’s “Sometime, Somewhere.” Still in her teens, the prodigiously talented singer more than did justice to her assigned song, taking it way beyond what some other interpreters have done.
After that standout rendition, we fully expect ABS-CBN to enthusiastically albeit belatedly give Morissette the launching album and other showcases she most obviously deserves!
Teen achiever
Morissette did so well last May 3 that she made people realize that she could be much more than just a fan and adoring clone of Sarah Geronimo. The fact that she’s still in her teens makes her achievement all the more amazing, and the time should come very soon that she no longer pays vocal homage to Sarah and makes her own original mark on the music industry—and Filipino stage musicals too, why not?
Another young standout was Ervin Lumauag, the male soloist in the choral presentation of the “Gloria” hymn in Ryan’s “Misa,” representing his spiritual compositions that earlier this year won Papal honors from the Vatican. The young tenor had such an exceptional voice and sensitive understanding of the spiritual piece that it moved listeners in a special way. Clearly, he should be given other showcases to make more people aware of his special gift.
Also memorable was the interpretation by Aui Tamayo of Ryan’s “Selya,” which was made even more challenging than usual because it had no lyrics to fall back on. As her lovely and expressive soprano filled the CCP’s Main Theater, she vivified the elegance and versatility of the human voice as a solo musical instrument in its own right!
