Ryan Cayabyab. Image: Paw Castillo of Portraits by Paw
Celebrating the music of National Artist Ryan Cayabyab started with a wishlist. But for director Rowell Santiago and producer Celeste Legaspi, seeing the new generation of artists being honored to breathe new life into Cayabyab’s music is what touched their hearts the most.
Cayabyab celebrated his 70th birthday with a two-day show at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City which featured the biggest names in the music industry such as Basil Valdez, Regine Velasquez, Ryan Cayabyab Singers, The Company, Menchu Launchengco-Yulo, Nonie Buencamino, Kakai Bautista, John Arcilla, Karylle, Bituin Escalante, Vice Ganda, and Nyoy Volante, just to name a few.
But it was also a magical night for the new generation of artists including SB19’s Stell, BINI, Julie Anne San Jose, Belle Mariano, Dilaw, Juan Karlos, Ben&Ben, and Janella Salvador, among others.
WATCH: To cap off Day 1 of Ryan Cayabyab’s tribute show last May 11 in Makati City, the invited guests gathered onstage to sing “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika.”
Some of the artists onstage included Regine Velasquez, John Arcilla, Nonie Buencamino, SB19’s Stell, Aicelle Santos,… pic.twitter.com/mMfPsK6i9z
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 14, 2024
“More than our wishlist, seeing them granting the wishes [of these young artists to sing Ryan’s music] is what mattered,” Santiago told INQUIRER.net in a quick backstage chat on the sidelines of “Gen C’s” Day 1 show.
“Because after this, they still can’t believe they’re performing the songs of Mr. C, it was a different experience for them. It’s very magical for them,” he continued.
The featured stars at Day 1 of Ryan Cayabyab’s “Gen C” tribute show. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net
Bringing the artists together was an “accomplishment” for the team in itself. According to Santiago, they focused on what these singers can bring to the table in terms of interpreting Cayabyab’s music, rather than their names.
“I wanted ‘Sineskwela’ to be different [and] I wanted particular bands to do it. For ‘Kailan,’ I want it to be pop [which was done by] Belle. We also wanted to get Julie Anne. Even Stell of SB19, we wanted him too,” he said. “It was really our intention — to get the younger generations to interpret these songs.”
WATCH: Belle Mariano captivates the audience with her rendition of Ryan Cayabyab’s classic hit “Kailan” on the first day of the National Artist’s tribute show at a theater in Makati City. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/Vb8SUPmotz
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 13, 2024
New breed of artists
Legasi admitted that planning the two-day show was a “challenge,” but seeing the enthusiasm of the younger artists is proof of how timeless Cayabyab’s music is.
“They want to work with Ryan. It also shows that music can encompass many generations as long as you give to them and allow them to run with it,” she said.
WATCH: SB19’s Stell Ajero brings the audience to its feet with his rendition of “Sometime, Somewhere” on the first day of National Artist Ryan Cayabyab’s tribute show in Makati City. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/bCFRQzZSEF
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 13, 2024
When asked about seeing the younger artists take charge of Cayabyab’s music, Legaspi said it’s “about time” for them to show the beauty of OPM.
“It was a revelation seeing them perform. I really enjoyed seeing how the people took to music of Ryan and made it their own,” she said. “It just reassures me that our music is worth bringing out there and finding an audience.”
WATCH: National girl group sensation BINI performs their pre-debut single “Da Coconut Nut” during the Day 2 show of national artist Ryan Cayabyab’s “Gen C” concert. | @JessEINQ pic.twitter.com/ExdZg52cbK
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 13, 2024
The theater actress also pointed out that the rise of OPM shouldn’t be solely based on government support, but also to the audience to support their own. Yet she noted that “quality music” is a priority to make this happen.
“To get the support of the public, we have to come up with excellent work, excellent music, excellent performances, and excellently mounted technicals,” she added.
In a separate interview with INQUIRER.net, Cayabyab said having the drive to “improve themselves and striving to be the best” are some of the factors that would lead to a sustainable career in the music industry.
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