What makes Mr. C a maestro at 60

CAYABYAB (CENTER, WITH RCS). Marks a special milestone. Courtesy of Celine Fabie

“Things happen very fast, such is the way of the universe. Something may be right at one moment; but as every moment comes, it also goes.”

This comment was left on a Facebook photo of me and another girl waiting outside a shop with orange neon light signage: Psychic Consultant, OPEN. One guy had taken the photo, while the other was inside, looking into a crystal ball, asking what would happen with our concert upon our return to Manila.

We were traveling with our group, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS), and were on our last day in Toronto during a US-Canada tour with Gawad Kalinga, which had kept us away from frantic preparations for our first self-produced show happening in a month’s time. Thus: the crystal ball.

Ryan Cayabyab—or Mr. C, as everyone in the industry is fond of calling him—had left the comment/fatherly advice on our photo to calm and manage his singers’ disquieting eccentricities.

As members of RCS, we are often asked how the country’s Music Man is as a boss. Is he strict? Is he scary to work with? Does he teach you? How is he as a voice teacher? How is he when he gets angry?

Laid-back

The answers: Mr. C, through decades in show business, has outgrown strictness. He is quite laid-back. He has never raised his voice at us. He teaches us the emotion he wants from a song or melodic line, but he is not our voice teacher. He expects us to know what to do, and if we don’t, he will either pound on those piano keys until we get his point or let it go (as we painfully simmer in silent shame and self-disrespect), expecting us to figure it out in due time; which, of course, out of sheer loyalty and adoration for him, we do.

To say that all seven of us admire the man is an understatement. But, what is it really that makes our boss our favorite Maestro?

For Sheerleen de la Cruz, he is an icon for every Filipino musical performer. You dream of working with him in any way—as musical director, songwriter, accompanist or mentor.

For Poppert Bernadas, the admiration he inspires is boundless. We all have role models. We all want to be inspired by someone big—big enough to accommodate the size of our aspirations and the growing size of our courage. In this space, he never encourages fame or privileges or getting ahead. He only teaches us to work hard, do the right thing, perform well and everything will follow.

For Kaich Tiuseco, he is generous. He shares everything—from his music, to his time, ideas, stories, life lessons, his games and “one-eyed selfies,” his laughter, and, most especially, his food!

For Erwin Lasco, he’s a father. A father we call “lolo” for all the wisdom he manages to impart and pass on to us. He knows how to handle our moods, devastations, idealism and our hearts. Parenting is a tough art, and even tougher when you’re trying to parent artists.

Pipe dreams

For VJ Caber, he is an instrument for dreams. He is so much more than the music that accompanies our singing. He is the pipeline through which our passion breathes. His compositions, arrangements, harmonies and vision—his demands push us to deliver and make real what otherwise would be mere pipe dreams forever.

For Vince Lim, he is a master of his craft. Not only in his chosen art, but a master craftsman of life in general. He consistently learns, develops and hones. He is a perfectionist, but he chooses his battles. His enjoyment of days to the fullest is craftsmanship at its best.

For me, he is gifted with timing. If he ever taught us anything, it is that timing is everything. It is doing the right thing, in the right place, at the right time, with the right people. Something may be right at one moment, but as every moment comes, it also goes. To make it, timing matters as much as talent and determination. And, to make music, timing is as necessary as feeling and technique.

“You must all work together. The universe is listening,” our Maestro says.

So, Lolo Zip, before you hit 60 (today!) and before we miss this perfectly right moment—we love you, we are ever grateful to have you, and remember to enjoy your birthday before it goes!