[WATCH] Rappler Talk Entertainment: National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab

Maestro Ryan Cayabyab — simply “Mr. C” to his fans and collaborators — is a pillar of OPM, of Philippine music as we know and enjoy it today. His signature melodic style has defined an era and continues to influence today’s songwriters and composers.

His many hits, including “Araw Gabi”, “Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka”, “Paraiso”, “Can This Be Love,” “Sometime, Somewhere”, “Kailan”, “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika”, “Limang Dipang Tao,” are among the most well-loved in the OPM cannon. He is, after all, a National Artist for Music.

Mr. C doesn’t just humbly acknowledge that it is now the time of a new generation of artists, composers, and musicians; he celebrates it. The Maestro gushes at what he says is a more diverse, eclectic, and vibrant music scene than the one he and his contemporaries entered in the 1970s, although he does recall the creative and musical boom of that decade.

But far from done making music, Mr. C is thrilled to invite everyone to his latest masterpiece: St. Michael Mass, a theatrical rendering of his versions of Catholic liturgical music. To be performed in an intimate setting by The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab Vocal Ensemble, the show promises to be an inspiring, soul-stirring musical retreat.