Theater twist for RCS’ pop concert

THE Ryan Cayabyab Singers were as excited as they were nervous the last time I saw them at Mr. C’s music school at Robinsons Galleria. They had just finished a four-hour acting workshop, but the vocal septet was still stoked about its tap dance lessons! “Masisipag talaga ang mga ‘yan,” Cayabyab proudly noted.

There’s good reason why Ryan’s talented minstrels are on tenterhooks these days: They’re gearing up for their fifth-anniversary concert, “RCS 7,” on July 7 at the Music Museum (call 0917 874-3499 or 721-0635). Billed as a “pop concert with a theater twist,” the latest musical adventure of Anezka Alvarez, Poppert Bernadas, VJ Caber, Celine Fabie, Erwin Lacsa, Vince Lim and Kaich Tiuseco is special, because it aims to show RCS in a different light.

“We’ve sung so many songs and performed in a lot of shows in different countries,” Celine says. “But we’ve never done anything like this! In one production number for instance, we’ll be tap dancing to a mashup of ‘Mamang Kutsero’ and the Maroon 5-Christina Aguilera dance hit, ‘Moves Like Jagger.’”

Favorite musicals

Erwin chimes in, “In another special number, the choreography of Dexter Santos (‘Cabaret,’ ‘Orosman at Zafira’) will breathe life into a medley of Mr. C’s favorite musicals.”

Do they all get along well? “It hasn’t always been easy—especially at the beginning,” admits Kaich who, along with Poppert and Anezka, has been with the group since Day One. “But we’ve learned to accept our differences and make them work for us. Now, we’re more tolerant of one another’s idiosyncrasies.” “We’re growing as we learn more about each other—and we’ll also be addressing issues (piracy) and advocacies (Gawad Kalinga) that are important to us,” adds VJ.

What was the acting workshop for? Vince explains, “Performing isn’t just about hitting the right notes—when you sing a song, you’re also telling a story. We needed ‘tools’ to help us interpret our songs better.”

Eclectic mix

Anezka says she’s also excited about the concert’s Spotlight segments. She explains, “RCS was conceptualized in 2007 as a group of soloists handpicked by Mr. C to vocalize his stellar sound and impeccable artistry. So in the concert, the audience will be treated to an eclectic mix of voices, genres and styles—and a lot of dancing!”

Will “RCS 7” have special guests? “Yes, it will—and we can’t wait to share the stage with them,” Poppert beams. “Watching Jolina Magdangal perform is always a treat—she’s an alumna of 14K, one of the groups famously mentored by Mr. C, along with Smokey Mountain and Kaya. So we’re thrilled that she has agreed to do a special number with RCS! Another (surprise) guest will sing a medley of Filipino disco hits with us—and that’s another reason why music lovers, theater aficionados and concertgoers shouldn’t miss our July 7 concert!”