By Ma. Cecilia Genove
Master performer Ryan Cayabyab, popularly known in the entertainment sector as Mr. C, breezed into Dumaguete last week to conduct auditions for a national songwriting workshop in Manila soon. The one-day event was held at the College of Performing Arts, Silliman University and attracted a number of aspiring songwriters who were further shortlisted. The auditions likewise served as a precursor to a forthcoming concert of the Ryan Cayabyab Singers at 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 18 at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium, Silliman University.
The Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS) is the brainchild of the world-renowned Filipino composer and musician Ryan Cayabyab. In the past, he was also responsible for other successful vocal groups including Smokey Mountain, 14-K, and the San Miguel Master Chorale (SMMC). Smokey Mountain produced the likes of Geneva Cruz, Chedi Vergara and Jeffrey Hidalgo, while 14-K catapulted Jolina Magdangal into stardom. Likewise, the SMMC was considered one of the premiere choral groups during its time.
The RCS was realized with a series of auditions that sieved 170 aspirants within the 18-25 age range. Only 37 qualified for the callback auditions and that number was further trimmed down to 17 hopefuls who were required to sing, dance, improvise, and show how well they could fare as overall performers. After having gone through several changes in personnel since their inception, Mr. Cayabyab’s current dream team includes Anezka Alvarez, Kaich Tiuseco, Celine Fabie, Poppert Bernadas, Erwin Lacsa, Anton Anternorcruz and Miguel Mendoza. Each of their voices is unique, bringing something different to the group.
Kaich adds soul to the group with her jazzy and bluesy style that instantly gives a warmer vibe, while the youngest member Anton brings a fresh, new sound. To complement this, Poppert and Miguel make use of their distinct pop sounds with the former effortlessly reaching top notes and the latter bulding the group’s strong foundation with his deep tones. Celine adds sparkling tones that reflect her rigid training in theater while Erwin and Anezka have a certain vocal brilliance brought about by their experience in singing with a choir. Together, these seven power soloists are a force to be reckoned with when they sing as an ensemble. The group’s edge lies in the members’ distinctive, individual talents and personalities, coupled with the youthful enthusiasm that endears them to their numerous fans.
This talented group had signed with Sony BMG Music Entertainment last September of 2007 and released their self titled album a couple of months after. The track list includes the new compositions Hiling, Ayoko Na, Ito Na Nga ang Pagibig, Ba’t Di Mo Sinabi, Paano Na ‘To, I’ll Make You Smile Again, as well as revivals of Mr. Cayabyab’s old compositions such as Hibang sa Awit, Call Me, Call Me, Hideaway and Hello Joe, Goodbye. While their carrier single Let Me Love You Tonight won “Best R&B Song”, they also gained recognition with the disctinction “Best Performance by a New Group” in the 21st AWIT Awards, an award-giving body specifically for the recording industry.
Since their formal launching in December of 2007, the RCS has awed audiences all over the country and abroad. At their concert debut in Davao in 2007, they received six standing ovations for their excellent performance. They also took part in the Filipinas Heritage Library’s Bravo Filipino Concert Series which brought them to perform around the metro and in Cebu, showcasing the world-class talents of Filipinos through the country’s own music. In June 2008, the RCS embarked on their 1st international concert tour in Singapore. They graced the Philippine Independence Day celebrations of the Philippine Embassy with their heart warming repertoire of Filipino music. In October of 2008, they carried out a 12-city tour of the US to raise funds for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga. Last year, they entertained and inspired Melbourne and Sydney during their short stint there in October. Most recently, they did an all-choreographed production of Motown and Beyond in Bacolod where their performance got the crowd on their feet; and a few weeks later returned to Singapore for another set of shows. Their concerts are always a tremendous success, making the Filipinos abroad proud of their native land’s own music and outstanding talents.
In the local scene, the RCS has done a string of shows in malls and commercial establishments such as Eastwood City, Shangri-La Plaza and The Podium, to name a few. They also provide entertainment at corporate events, and have dipped into helping several charitable institutions, with a particular keenness for Gawad Kalinga, by performing for fundraisers. They were involved in another worthy cause for the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit (OPM) and their project titled, “Kaya Natin ‘To!”; which, aside from having recorded a single, was culminated in an explosive concert at the MOA open grounds with the country’s biggest artists in December of 2009. Earlier this year, they proudly represented the country as ambassadors to an international project called, “Fair Play: Anti-Corruption Youth Voices” of Jeunesses Musicales International based in Brussels, Belgium.
The group has also appeared in various television shows and have been invited as guests on different morning and late night shows. At the moment, the group is in the process of training new members for future projects which include their second recording album.
With their inimitable and outstanding artistry combined with their deep love for music, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers will no doubt continue to make waves in the music industry, and will certainly keep on proving to the world that the Filipino talent is indeed a treasure to be proud of.
For ticket reservation you may contact the Luce Auditorium Office at (035) 422-6002 loc 520 and the College of Performing Arts loc 250.
