MSO premieres Ryan Cayabyab opus, welcomes cellist Camille Thomas

There is so much to be thankful for as the Manila Symphony Orchestra presents the fifth concert of its Centennial Season happening on October 22, 2026, 7:30 PM at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati.

Topping the reasons to be grateful in this concert is the World Premiere performance of Pasasalamat for choir and orchestra by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario.

Ryan Cayabyab

Commissioned by the MSO for its centennial, Pasasalamat reflects on the meaning of gratitude not only as a personal feeling, but as a responsibility to others and to the community. Almario’s text considers the values that shape a shared life, from compassion and respect for differences to freedom, justice, culture, knowledge, and the willingness to accept criticism and change. At its heart is the idea that being human is not simply a given, but something we become through our choices and actions.

For the MSO, the work is particularly fitting, offering an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities that come with being the longest surviving institution that has been part of Philippine musical life and history for a century. The text will be brought to life by MSO's featured choir, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Bagong Himig Serenata.

Camille Thomas

Another reason to be thankful is that Franco-Belgian Camille Thomas will finally grace the Philippine stage after a long five year delay. Her originally announced performance with the MSO scheduled back in January 2021 was among the numerous cancellations brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Known for her expressive performances and technical artistry, Thomas is an exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist since 2017 who has performed with major orchestras and conductors across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Her recording Voice of Hope, released in partnership with UNICEF, reflects her belief in music as a means of creating connection and inspiring hope.

PUP Bagong Himig Serenata

Apart from Pasasalamat, the evening's program will also include Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33 with Thomas as the featured soloist and Gabriel Fauré's Requiem in D minor, Op. 48. The award-wining PUP Bagong Himig Serenata joins the orchestra in the performance of the Cayabyab/Almario and Faure pieces while MSO Music Director conducts.

Marlon Chen

Cellist Camille Thomas with the MSO is presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance, co-presented by EastWest Bank and DENZA Alabang by ACMobility Premium Dealership Inc. and is sponsored by the Embassy of France to the Philippines, Grand Hyatt Manila, National Performing Arts Grantee, and SM Hotels and Conventions with special thanks to JTI ALL IN, The Laufey Foundation, Austrian Embassy Manila, HSTL Foundation, EON Group, 98.7 DZFE-FM | The Master's Touch, and The Manila Times.

MSO's 100th Anniversary Concert: A celebration of Beethoven and Cayabyab

Muyu Liu, Darrell Ang, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra
Photo ©Manila Symphony Orchestra

Back in January 22, 1926, a newly formed symphony orchestra under the leadership of Alexander Lippay gave its first concert at the Manila Grand Opera House This orchestra eventually became known as the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO). And exactly a century later to the date, the MSO celebrated this milestone with the 100th Anniversary Concert held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.

Joining the MSO in this concert are pianist Muyu Liu, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and conductors Darrell Ang and Mark Anthony Carpio.

Prior to the concert, MSO's Executive Director Jeffrey Solares gave a walking tour about the history of the MSO, occasionally stopping by old photographs, souvenir programs, and other documents and artifacts that were on display at the lobby. The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra also gave a short performance to cap the walking tour.

Muyu Liu opened the concert proper with Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 which is also known as the Emperor Concerto. Beethoven music has been regularly performed at the MSO's early concerts and this concerto was no exception. As if totally embracing her part in this once in a century event, Muyu Liu exuded joy with her take on the Emperor Concerto. With an ever present smile, her rendition was celebratory and triumphant befitting the occasion.

Philippine Madrigal Singers, Mark Anthony Carpio,
and the Manila Symphony Orchestra
Photo ©Manila Symphony Orchetsra

The other Beethoven work programmed, Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b, was a music throwback to the 1926 concert where this work was performed as the finale. It was expected that this overture would open 2026 concert for a full circle moment but it ushered in the second half instead. Seeing how dynamic and exciting Darrell Ang was on the podum, one would quickly realize that it would've been a crime if he was partially obstructed by the piano onstage while conducting this Beethoven showpiece.

The remainder of the program was devoted to sacred music by Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music, with the MSO now joined by the Philippine Madrigal Singers and Mark Anthony Carpio conducting. The performance of Cayabyab's Sanctus and Gloria from Misa 2000 with the Te Deum tucked in between, transported the audience to a virtual cathedral with the double chorus of the 80 member-strong Madz reverberating inside the theater.

Jeffrey Solares and the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra

The MSO's 100th Anniversary Concert looked back at the orchestra's beginnings when Beethoven figured prominently in its early concerts. And it also served as a reminder that in the MSO's century of existence, the orchestra has been shaping Philippine music history and continues to do so by championing Filipino works as evidenced by the Cayabyab music.

Manila Symphony Orchestra's 100th Anniversary Concert program announced

As the holiday season fast approaches, so does the Manila Symphony Orchestra's grand centennial celebration. As the countdown continues for this momentous occasion, the orchestra recently announced the program for The MSO 100th Anniversary Concert happening on January 22, 2026, 7:30 PM at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit, Makati.

Darrell Ang

The centennial concert begins with Ludwig van Beethoven's Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b, a throwback to exactly a hundred years ago, January 22, 1926, at the MSO's inaugural concert at the Manila Grand Opera House under the baton of founder Alexander Lippay. For the anniversary concert, conducting will be Singaporean Darrell Ang, a frequent collaborator of the MSO. Leonore Overture No. 3 is one of his most dramatic orchestral works, embodying themes of struggle, freedom, and triumph. Originally written for his only opera, Fidelio, the overture transforms the story’s emotional journey from darkness and conflict to light and redemption into a powerful symphonic form. 

Muyu Liu

Following the overture is another Beethoven gem, the Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 with the returning Muyu Liu as the featured soloist. Also known as the Emperor Concerto, this work stands as his last completed piano concerto and one of the most majestic works in the repertoire. Written between 1809 and 1811 during Vienna’s turbulent wartime, the concerto opens with three commanding chords that set a heroic tone before the piano enters in a bold and unprecedented way. Its grand orchestration, virtuosic solo writing, and dialogue between piano and orchestra reveal Beethoven’s mature mastery.

Philippine Madrigal Singers

A couple of works by MSO Trustee and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, Misa 2000 and Te Deum, comprise the other half of the program to be conducted by Mark Anthony Carpio that will also feature the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers. Cayabyab's Misa 2000 is a visionary and profoundly moving sacred work that unites Western liturgical form with Filipino musical identity. Written for dance and recognized by the Onassis International Cultural Competition, it combines chorus, orchestra, and indigenous instruments in a vibrant tapestry of sound and spirit.

Mark Anthony Carpio

On the other hand, Te Deum is a grand choral-orchestral work that radiates joy, gratitude, and praise. Setting the traditional Latin hymn to music, Cayabyab infuses the composition with his signature rhythmic vitality and harmonic richness, blending classical structure with contemporary sensibility. Celebratory and uplifting, Te Deum reflects both the universality of faith and the Filipino spirit of thanksgiving, a fitting conclusion to the Manila Symphony Orchestra’s centennial concert.

Along with the announcement of the upcoming centennial concert program comes the much awaited lineup of the MSO Season 100 for 2026-2027.

Concert I: Centennial Opening: The Sleeping Beauty

March 13-15, 2026

Aliw Theater

Concert II: Centennial Rising Stars of the Philippines

May 30, 2026

Proscenium Theatre

Concert III: Symphony of a Nation: 100 Years of Music, 80 Years of FilAm Friendship

July 4, 2026

Manila Metropolitan Theater

Concert IV: Legacies in Song: MSO’s 100 Years and the Voice of Conching Rosal

August 29, 2026

FEU Auditorium

Concert V: Centennial Finale Gala: Philippine Master Composers, Past, Present, and Future

October 2026

Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University

Concert VI: MSO 100 Centennial Finale

January 2027

Venue TBA

*program, artists, date, and venue subject to change

Tickets for The MSO 100th Anniversary Concert are currently available via Ticketworld. Prices are as follows:

Price Zone 1: P5,000

Price Zone 2: P4,700

Price Zone 3: P4,500

Price Zone 4: P4,000

Price Zone 5: P3,000

Price Zone 6: P2,000

Price Zone 7: P1,800

Special offers include 50% discount for students and 20% discount for senior citizens and PWDs. There is also a 20% Early Bird Discount Code: MSO100EB20 that remains valid untiil December 1, 2025 11:59PM.

Alice Reyes' Rama, Hari: Savoring a masterpiece

Going on its second and final week, constant reminders not to let the remaining performances of Alice Reyes' Rama, Hari pass by were not hard to miss. The primary reason is that it would be at least a decade until this epic rock opera ballet gets seen on stage again.

With this in mind, I made it a point to savor every moment viewing this production that boasts the collaborative works of five National Artists namely Alice Reyes (direction and choreography), National Artist for Dance; Ryan Cayabyab (music), National Artist for Music; Bienvenido Lumbera (libretto and lyrics), National Artist for Literature; Salvador Bernal (set and costume design), National Artist for Theater Design, and Rolando Tinio (English translation), National Artist for Theater and Literature.

I also made sure to catch the performance where the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth was led by Ryan Cayabyab himself, taking over conducting duties from his son Toma Cayabyab who had another conducting engagement on the same night

With the 2023 run still relatively fresh on my mind, I was now able to focus on the dancers a lot more considering that my attention was more on the singers and the music during my previous viewings.

The show this time around went smoother, tighter, more polished and it also looked like the dancers did savor the final week of performances. The usually reserved Ejay Arisola was able to express more now as Rama allowing him to keep pace with the ever expressive Katrene San Miguel.

Veterans John Ababon (King Dasaratha), Dan Dayo (Hanuman), and Sarah Alejandro (Kooni/Gintong Usa) delivered solid performances having already eased into their roles. This staging also gave Ricmar Bayoneta the spotlight as the antagonist Ravana.

On the other hand, Karla Santos (Kaikeyi) and Krislynne Buri (Soorpanakha), who were both new to me back in the previous staging, continued to make their mark as future leads in Alice Reyes Dance Philippines.

For two seasons now, Renzen Arboleda has positioned himself as one to watch, not just in ARDP, but also in the local dance scene as well. It was a delight to see yet another noteworthy outing from him as Lakshmana. This young man is destined to be one of the leading danseurs in the country, that is if a foreign company doesn't snag him first.

The dance numbers with the entire company on stage looked too crowded and at times a bit messy. But this owed more to the smaller size of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater stage compared to that of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Main Theater Stage. The smaller stage also resulted in the reduced size of the Salvador Bernal sets. This just didn't have the wow factor compared to how grand the original scale was as seen at the CCP during the last Rama, Hari staging there back in 2012.

There is nothing left to be said with the singers that performed on this night. Arman Ferrer and Shiela Valderrama-Martinez as Rama and Sita were in their finest. Jonel Mojica (Ravana), Audie Gemora (King Dasaratha), Rafflesia Bravo (Soorpanakha/Kooni), Katrene Sunga (Kaikeyi/Gintong Usa), and Paw Castillo (Lakshmana/Hanuman) all sounded well rested and one just wished that they, along with the other singers did an original cast recording. But no recording was made for this run as far as I know. Thank goodness that I savored every moment of the dancing, singing, and the music to get me through for at least ten years until the next staging.

Tributes to the past, looking forward to the future at the Metropolitan Theater 90th anniversary, reopening

One of the highlights of the grand reopening of the Metropolitan Theater that also coincided with its 90th Anniversary was the debut of the MET hymn entitled Pasulong Muli ang MET.

Ryan Cayabyab leads the performers in singing the MET hymn Pasulong Muli ang MET

With music by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and lyrics by Floy Quintos, the hymn gives tribute to the MET's storied past but also poses a challenge for the present to shape and mold its future.

And this, in essence, was the prevailing theme of the star studded program entitled Tanghalang Metropolitan 2021: Pagpupugay sa Tanghalang Bayan that signalled the new beginning of the MET.

Al Ryan Alejandro, Arsenio J. Lizaso, and Marichu Tellano

The evening started with the ribbon cutting led by Arsenio J. Lizaso, Chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the unveiling of the marker and commemorative covers.

A rich tapestry of indigenous Filipino culture was showcased by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group during the offering that followed.

The program proper, hosted by Issa Litton, looked back heavily on the past, reminding the audience that despite the entry of newer performance venues around the Metro in the past decade, the MET remains a prized theater due to its historical significance.

Legendary MET Executive Director Conchita "Conching" Sunico was given a special, multimedia tribute, a fusion of fashion and music with soprano Jade Riccio, that looked back to her days as the Carnival Queen back in the 1930s.

Raul Sunico

Conching's nephew, pianist Raul Sunico gave a solo performance that offered a glimpse of future classical music concerts happening at the MET that can fill the gap left by the closure of the nearby Philam Life Auditorium almost a decade ago.

Manila Symphony Orchestra

The Manila Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of its current music director Marlon Chen performed an overture made up of music from various foreign and local productions staged at the MET throughout the decades. Accompanying the performance was a video clip that showed archived photos of the theater as well as local and foreign classical music artists, including some icons and legends, who have once graced the MET stage.

It is worthy to note that the MSO performed at the MET's inauguration back in December 10, 1931 and made the theater its home from that time since up to the time when World War II broke out. The orchestra was once again based at the MET since the 1978 reopening up until when it had to disband. Clearly, the MET and the MSO have a shared history and it will not be surprising if this theater will also serve as the venue for the MSO's 100th anniversary celebration in 1926.

Jon Santos as Canuplin gave a nod to the era of the bodabil, a popular form of entertainment that once lorded over various theaters in the country including the MET.

Celeste Legaspi

An extended musical extravaganza with performers that included Celeste Legaspi, Mitch Valdes, Dulce, Isay Alvarez-Seña, Robert Seña, Bo Cerrudo, Beverly Salviejo, Nicole Asensio, Lara Maigue, Bituin Escalante, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, Baihana, as well as OJ Mariano, Arman Ferrer, Gab Pangilinan, and Shiela Valderrama-Martinez (still just a shortlist of those who have made the Philippines a global vocal powerhouse) brought the house down with songs from various local and foreign musicals along with classic tunes by George Canseco, Willy Cruz, and Ryan Cayabyab.

Nicole Asensio, Bituin Escalante, and Lara Maigue

But all of this, as well as the recognition given to the various personalities who had a hand in the restoration efforts of the MET, harkened to the past, some more distant than others. But just like what the MET hymn says, there is now the task of moving forward with the theater up and running once again. The future holds a lot of promise since the recently staged/streamed Lapulapu, Ang Datu ng Mactan, the first theatrical production from the newly restored MET, is a new work. This, along with whatever comes out soon, will shape the future of the MET as the countdown now begins for its 100th anniversary celebrations a decade from now. 

Directed by Dexter Santos, written by Adriana Agcaoili, music direction by Krina Cayabyab, and choreography by Stephen Viñas, Tanghalang Metropolitan 2021: Pagpupugay sa Tanghalang Bayan will be streamed online on December 12, 2021, 6:00 PM at the Metropolitan Theater Facebook Page.

2018 National Artists tribute at the CCP

Guadalupe Alcala, Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio, Ryan Cayabyab, Denise Mañosa,
Resil Mojares, Rex Muzones, and Kidlat Tahimik.

Months after the newest batch of National Artists were announced and immediately conferred by the President back in October, the much awaited tribute to them finally happened at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last May.

The National Artists given tribute were Larry Alcala (Visual Arts), Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio (Theater), Ryan Cayabyab (Music), Francisco Mañosa (Architecture), Resil Mojares (Literature) Ramon L. Muzones (Literature), and Kidlat Tahimik (Cinema).

All of the surviving National Artists were present while Alcala was represented by his wife Guadalupe, Mañosa, who passed away in February this year, was represented by wife Denise, while Muzones was represented by his son Rex.

Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music

The tribute featured video testimonials from family members, friends, colleagues, and peers and also performances by various artists and groups.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Herminigildo Ranera with dancers choreographed by Carlon Motabato depicted the Pinoy slice of life with the music of Tsismis as tribute to Alcala. Bart Guingona did a reading from A House Full of Books in tribute for Mojares. Lapeña-Bonifacio's Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas performed Sita & Rama: Paper Ramayana showcasing her contribution and legacy to puppetry and children's theater. The Company and The Opera's a cappella rendition of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square capped the first half although I am not sure how this song related to Mañosa.

A nod to Tahimik's Cordillera connection was showcased through the Cordillera Suite by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group. The Hiligaynon language rang through the theater as Audie Gemora, Bong Cabrera, and Sheila Valderrama-Martinez did a stage reading of a scene from Muzones' Margosatubig. Lastly, Toma Cayabyab led the PPO and the Ateneo Chamber Singers with the Rizal Suite as a tribute to his father Ryan Cayabyab. The evening also featured song numbers by David Ezra and Esang de Torres.

The tribute showed glimpses of the National Artists' other sides as family members, friends, and peers and gave the audience just a peek of their works. It remains to be seen how various institutions will give tribute to this latest batch. As far as I know, the Performatura Festival shone the spotlight to Mojares a few months ago. The Manila Symphony Orchestra will dedicate their 2019-2020 season opener to Ryan Cayabyab. And the 24th French Film Festival will screen a film by Kidlat Tahimik. Like what I've said before, it is great that these artists are recognized and be considered as National Artists but all this remains irrelevant if their works remain unknown by the public at large.

Manila Symphony Orchestra's unveils 2019-2020 Season

Coming off the heels of a string of sold out/standing room only/repeat performances of Rush Hour Concerts at the Ayala Museum, the Manila Symphony Orchestra unveils its 2019-2020 season gala concerts.

This season, taking on the theme Live Music Lives features an international lineup of conductors and soloists who are a mix of new and familiar faces.

The season begins with The Music of Ryan Cayabyab, a tribute to the National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. Featuring conductor Jonathan Velasco and the Ateneo Chamber Singers, the concert will be a mix of folk songs arranged for orchestra, choral pieces with orchestra, and more. The season opener happens on June 9, 2019, 6:00 PM at the Hyundai Hall, Areté, inside the Ateneo De Manila University campus in Quezon City.

Cellist Matias Oliveira Pinto and soprano Andión Fernandez-Ching, along with conductor Marlon Chen top bill Double Concerto happening on September 1, 2019, 6:00 PM at the Powermac Center Spotlight, in Circuit, Makati.

Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra's first violinist Jeanna Rafaella Marquez steps up to the plate in Sibelius and Beethoven 5th on October 6, 2019, 6:00 PM at Areté, inside the Ateneo de Manila University. Tarmo Peltokoski leads the MSO in this performance.

Grammy nominated conductor Darrell Ang returns in Darrel Ang & Diomedes Saraza Jr. on November 16, 2019, 8:00 PM at the Meralco Theater. Concertmaster Diomedes Saraza, Jr. will be the evening's featured soloist.

The season wraps up on February 5, 2020, 8:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Billed as Shostakovich, the finale concert will feature guitarist Jacob Cordover and conductor Marlon Chen.

Subscription packages for this season and various sponsorships can be availed by contacting the MSO via e-mail at info@manilasymphony.com or by calling 523-5712.

Setting up the stage up north for the inaugural Candon Music Festival

The Philippine music scene has seen its share of music festivals ranging from the genre specific, gimmick themed, and to those that are destination driven. But never have I encountered a music festival in here that was born out of a classical music program. That is until now with the entry of the Candon Music Festival, bringing the music festival scene up north this May 23-25, 2019 at the Bagani Campo Concert Grounds in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

The seeds of the Candon Music Festival was first planted when young cellist Christian Geo Molina (one of the program's success stories) proposed to Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music, the idea of mounting a music festival fronted by classical musicians. This proposal, that initially seemed farfetched to Cayabyab, was then backed by Manila Symphony Orchestra’s Executive Director Jeffrey Solares and retired Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra violinist Jorge Joy Sababan. Cayabyab realized that this was a serious endeavor. Now, Cayabyab has signed up as the Festival Director with the lineup expanding to include other mainstream artists that will share the stage with the classical music acts including Candon's homegrown music groups.

National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and Congressman Eric Singson

Familiar names and faces make up the classical music acts that are part of this festival with the Manila Symphony Orchestra leading the line up. The Philippine Cello ensemble is made up of the MSO and MSJO cello section including Geo Molina. Tenor Ronan Ferrer sang the role of Crisostomo Ibarra during the 2017 staging of Noli Me Tangere, the Opera.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra may not be part of the music festival but the principals of the brass section will be there as members of Pinoy Brass as well as PPO percussionist Aimee Mina dela Cruz who will play the marimba. Aimee's husband, violist Joy Allan dela Cruz, is one of the special guests at the festival. Also performing is Kabataang Gitarista, made up of exceptional musicians from the CCP's music education/arts training program which I think is very apt considering the roots of the festival.

Kristine Singson-Meehan and Eric Singson greet
Ryan Cayabyab a (belated) Happy Birthday

Each night of the festival starts at 6:00 PM starting with the classical music acts and will go on until midnight. Admission is for free with tickets available at partner establishments and government agencies with limited number of passes available on site.

Here is the Candon Music Festival line up per day:

May 23, 2019

Banda ni Kleggy

Deck of Cards

Imago

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Noel Cabangon

Philippine Cello Ensemble

Ronan Ferrer

Spongecola.

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Philippine Cello Ensemble

Ronan Ferrer

May 24, 2019

6Cyclemind

Candon City Chamber Orchestra

Candon City Children’s Choir

Candon City Chorale

Gloc9

Gracenote

Moonstar 88

Pinoy Brass

Tila Baliw

Candon City Chamber Orchestra

Candon City Children's Choir

Candon City Chorale

Pinoy Brass

May 25, 2019

Aimee Mina dela Cruz

Cardona Youth Symphony Band

Davey Langit

DJ Patty Tiu

Jammers

Kabataang Gitarista

Orange & Lemons

Rivermaya

Ryan Cayabyab Singers.

Aimee Mina dela Cruz

Cardona Youth Symphony Band

Kabataang Gitarista

Special guests include Regina Garabiles, soprano Jedessa Calacday, pianist Melissa Nartatez, violist Joy Allan de la Cruz, and DJ Lester Paul M. Vano.

Organizers and artists of Candon Music Festival

The Candon Music Festival is a collaboration of Congressman Eric D. Singson with the provincial government headed by Governor Ryan Singson, the City of Candon headed by Mayor Ericson Singson, and Project Manager Kristine Singson-Meehan with the Council for Culture, Arts and Tourism of the 2nd District of Ilocos Sur.

All-star line up to give tribute to National Artist Ryan Cayabyab

BREAKING: Tickets for Ryan Ryan Musikwentuhan is SOLD OUT!

A little over two months after the newest batch of National Artists were announced and conferred, the tributes are starting to catch up beginning with an intimate tribute to National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab happening on January 18, 2019 at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center in Taguig.

Billed as Ryan Ryan Musikwentuhan, this one night only affair features a stellar lineup of performers that include Pilita Corales, Celeste Legaspi, Mitch Valdes, The CompanY with Beth Martin, Cocoy Laurel, Ryan Cayabyab Singers, BEN&BEN, Audie Gemora, Acapellago, Joanna Ampil, Nyoy Volante, Bugoy Drilon, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, and surprise guests.

Every new announcement about this event seems to add up more performers so expect the list to get longer as the night of the tribute gets closer. The concert will be directed by Audie Gemora with music direction by Rony Fortich.

Ryan Cayabyab
National Artist for Music

The all-star lineup of performers hint that the program will be more centered on Ryan Cayabyab’s popular music and possibly those he wrote for the theater stage.

Ryan Cayabyab was declared and conferred as National Artist along with Lauro “Larry” Alcala (Visual Arts), Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio (Theater), Kidlat Tahimik (Cinema), Francisco Mañosa (Architecture), Resil Mojares (Literature) and Ramon L. Muzones (Literature).

Ryan Ryan Musikwentuhan is presented by the Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. and Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation with special thanks to NutriAsia and Champion.

ConChords bags Akapela Open International title

ConChords

After bagging the top prize at the International Category of the A Cappella Championships in Singapore competition, Conchords emerged as the Grand Prize winners at the Akapela Open International besting nine other a cappella groups at the finals night held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Conchord’s well balanced voices, technically complex arrangements, and overall polish and sophistication in their performances of Remember Me from the movie Coco and Gary V’s ‘Di Bale Na Lang sealed them the title and the P250,000 prize money. The group from Quezon City improved on their runner up finish back in 2016.

Astrafellas

Baguio based Astrafellas ended up as this year’s 1^st Runner Up winning P150,000 but falling short in their bid to become the competition’s first ever back-to-back champions. Their rendition of APO’s When I Met You highlighted their very suave dynamics but it felt like they ran out of steam halfway through their Bon Jovi medley.

PhiSix

Rounding out the top three is PhiSix from Makati placing 2^nd Runner Up and winning P100,000 with a very contemporary take on Callum Scott’s You are the Reason and Freddie Aguilar’s Estudyante Blues. The group’s Kier Franco bagged the Best Arranger award and P50,000 with his updated arrangement of the Aguilar 1980’s classic about teenage angst.

The other finalists were Calafellas from Pangasinan, KNKTD from Manila, MVibe from Quezon Province, PSquare from Davao, Sayil and Syncofellas both from Bulacan, and Vocalmyx from Cagayan de Oro.

Akapela Open International Winners

The required song for this year is an original arrangement of a Filipino composition that was released during the 1980’s. A popular choice that night was songs by APO with When I Met You and Doo Bidoo each performed twice by different groups. And it was only a matter of which arrangement was more effective and who sold their performance more. Some groups even went a decade back with their other song choices, apart from the required one, that made some performances feel too retro. It still remains a challenge for these groups (and future competitors) to have a more contemporary sound and feel even if some of the songs are some decades old already.

Overall, the competition was intense at the top. The rest of the field, while overflowing with talent and charm, still lacked the conviction and wasn’t able to own the stage. I found myself urging them in my seat to let loose and perform up to those who were seated in the farthest rows. I learned afterwards just how young some of the members of these groups were and I could only imagine how daunting it was for them to compete at the Cultural Center of the Philippines stage of all places. It would be great to see which of these groups will be back to compete once again now that they’ve had some experience tucked under their belts. Also invaluable to these groups are the lessons learned from Mr. Ryan Cayabyab himself, the man responsible for the Akapela Open International.

The competing teams also should take some notes from the guest performers, the two time champions Acapellago. The 2013 & 2015 title holders and winners of various competitions abroad not only had the vocal chops but also had the stage presence that made them the champions that they are.

The Akapela Open International was presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Music School of Ryan Cayabyab.