In a landmark celebration of Original Pilipino Music, Rockwell’s Proscenium Theater opened its doors to a historic three-night musical event that honored one of the nation’s most influential composers. From November 14 to 16, 2025, audiences stepped into a world shaped by melody, memory, and masterful artistry in MaestroClass: The Songs of Ryan Cayabyab, a concert that united three towering figures of Philippine music on one stage. National Artist for Music Ryan ‘Mr. C’ Cayabyab, The Concert King Martin Nievera, and The Nightingale Lani Misalucha.
This was no ordinary performance. It was a living tribute to Cayabyab’s legacy, his brilliant compositions, his mentorship, and the artistic lineage he continues to shape.
Staged at the magnificent 780-seat Rockwell Proscenium Theater, the first major concert presented in its meticulously tuned space, MaestroClass felt intimate yet grand. The acoustics, designed for pristine clarity, allowed every chord, every vocal shimmer, every breath of Cayabyab’s music to bloom. Adding to the historic atmosphere were the Steinway pianos now permanently housed in the theater, a Philippine first. One of these instruments became Mr. C’s throne for the night, instantly elevating the concert into a rare musical encounter.
When the spotlight first fell on Cayabyab seated at the Steinway, the audience felt the weight of five decades of Filipino musical history. His iconic works, ‘Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika’, ‘Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka’, ‘Paraisong Parisukat’, ‘Da Coconut Nut’, and more, formed the backbone of an evening devoted to artistry and reinvention.
During rehearsals, Cayabyab shared his excitement about revisiting his compositions with two world-class artists. He praised Lani Misalucha for bringing ‘fresh interpretations’ to songs like ‘Paraisong Parisukat’ and ‘Hindi Ka Na Mahal’, and admired Martin Nievera’s ‘impressive and meaningful’ rendition of ‘Once Upon a Life’. These insights framed the concert not as a simple retrospective but as a vibrant reimagining of his music through the voices of artists who deeply respect his craft.
Lani Misalucha’s performances were nothing short of breathtaking. Known for her crystalline tone and unmatched vocal finesse, she treated Cayabyab’s compositions with both reverence and daring creativity. Her take on ‘Magbalik Ka Na Mahal’ from the stage musical, ‘Rama at Sita’ (with Ariel Rivera) was a standout, emotionally potent, vocally flawless, and captivating enough to draw audible gasps from the audience.
For Misalucha, the night was ‘a dream fulfilled’, marking her first major concert collaboration with the Maestro himself. Her presence onstage radiated gratitude, passion, and the unmistakable energy of an artist performing music she truly reveres.
Martin Nievera brought his signature warmth and charismatic musicality to the repertoire. His interpretation of ‘Once Upon a Life’, a performance Cayabyab personally commended, was among the evening’s emotional high points. Nievera later confessed that singing the Maestro’s work was “an honor and a nerve-wracking challenge,” acknowledging the immense weight of the legacy he carried with each note.
His effortless chemistry with both Cayabyab and Misalucha gave the concert an atmosphere of camaraderie, three icons sharing not just a stage, but a reverence for OPM and its possibilities.
Adding another dimension to the night were the Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS), the Maestro’s own ensemble of handpicked, meticulously trained vocalists. Their precision, blend, and dynamic versatility lifted ensemble numbers like ‘Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika’ and ‘Da Coconut Nut’, reminding long-time fans why RCS remains an essential part of Cayabyab’s modern musical identity. Their presence enriched the narrative of the concert, grounding it in continuity, history, and harmony.
Behind the seamless flow of music and memory was director Rowell Santiago, whose vision framed the evening as more than a concert, it became a musical memoir. His refined pacing and emotionally calibrated staging transformed the repertoire into a tapestry of stories: of Cayabyab’s evolution, of the artists who interpreted his work, and of the nation shaped by his music. Under his direction, not a single moment felt isolated, instead, the night unfolded as a journey through time and artistry.
MaestroClass was more than a tribute, it was a powerful affirmation of Filipino identity. It celebrated the richness of OPM, the brilliance of a National Artist, and the continued rise of Filipino talent on a world-class stage. As the final notes lingered in the Proscenium’s flawless acoustics, audiences were left with the sense that they had witnessed something rare: a gathering of icons in a venue built for excellence, performing music that defines the Filipino soul.
And in that final moment of silence, one truth rang louder than any applause, Ryan Cayabyab’s music will continue to resonate, across voices, across generations, across the heart of every Filipino.
Photos by: Kevin Pableo
