Music

A Rich Legacy in Music

Ryan Cayabyab has composed hundreds of songs, written musical plays, arranged orchestral pieces, and created music for the church, movies, television, as well as brands and institutions.

Love Songs

The Maestro has penned several love songs which topped the charts.

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A favorite choice for weddings, competitions, concerts, and even karaoke nights. Cayabyab wrote the song as a gift to his wife.

First popularized by Basil Valdez, this song was also interpreted by one of the country’s most iconic bands – Eraserheads, and the country’s Songbird – Regine Velasquez.

Popularized by the Smokey Mountain, a group of young artists who travelled for various performances in Asia and the Americas from the late 1980s to early 1990s.

Part of Smokey Mountain’s first album, this song proved to be another hit. It was also interpreted by the country’s Pop Princess, Sarah Geronimo, as theme song for the movie of the same title.

Another favorite from the Smokey Mountain, this song is about a pledge to love someone for the rest of his/her life.

Released in the 1980s, this love song was interpreted by the country’s top balladeer Basil Valdez. Several years later, the song was recorded by Filipino singer-songwriter Ice Seguerra.

First interpreted by Basil Valdez and then by Ariel Rivera, one of the most popular balladeers in the 1990s.

OPM icons Basil Valdez, Noel Cabangon, and Regine Velasquez have each recorded their own version of this song which speaks of one’s longing for someone.

Photo credit: Bernie Cervantes

This song about the beauty of Filipino music won the grand prize at the prestigious Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (Metropop) in 1978. It also won the Seoul Song Festival in Korea that same year.

One of the songs resulting from the Ryan Cayabyab-Basil Valdez tandem, this song is a timeless classic about dreams, passion, and the courage to explore while alive.

An upbeat song that tells the story of a woman and her struggles to commute in the city. The song was performed by choral groups and pop artists.

Being “hibang” or crazy as one tries to sing and write music is this song’s central theme.

This song hopes that people across the world will respect and love one another.

The song tells of one’s aspirations and optimism despite living in a polluted and impoverished community.

A song about the country’s famous fruit – coconut - and its many uses. It became a hit in the 1990s and has been sung by various choral groups across the world.

A heartfelt song that puts a spotlight on the sacrifices of OFW mothers and how their children back home long for their presence.

Popular OPM

“There was a time in my life when I focused on composing songs that speak of topics other than romantic love. ” – Cayabyab

Photo credit: Bernie Cervantes

Music by Ryan Cayabyab, Lyrics by Jose Javier Reyes. This song is a staple among Filipino households and communities during the Christmas season.

Music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab. This song was included in Ryan Cayabyab’s One Christmas album, featuring the Maestro’s one-man multitrack a capella performance.

Music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab; One of the ten tracks under the One Christmas album.

Arranged and conducted by Ryan Cayabyab for the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra. Lyrics by Jose Javier Reyes. The Cayabyab family has recorded a version of this song in 2023.

Christmas Songs

“Our Christmas songs embody the Filipino Spirit of hope” – Cayabyab

Musical Plays

“Musicals are closest to my heart, and writing musicals is something I will never get tired of,” – Cayabyab

Ryan Cayabyab has composed the music for over 10 original plays, opera, and dance productions. Below are some of his masterpieces.

Rama Hari

is a rock opera ballet that boasts of the works of five national artists Ryan Cayabyab (music), Alice Reyes (dance), Bienvenido Lumbera (libretto), Salvador Bernal (production design), and Rolando Tinio (translation). This landmark production of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in the 1980s was restaged in September 2023 and will have its repeat next year.   Magbalik Ka na Mahal, originally recorded by Kuh Ledesma, is one of the songs composed by Cayabyab for the play.

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Katy

is Ryan Cayabyab’s most famous musical in the 1980s, it is based on the life of Katy Dela Cruz, the Philippines’ Queen of Vaudeville and Jazz. Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako performed by Celeste Legaspi and Mitch Valdez is the song that people most associate with this play.

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List of Services

Photo credit: Ian Alfonso

In 2013, Ryan Cayabyab received the Papal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award for his religious compositions which have helped strengthen people’s faith and have made an impact in assisting the poor.

He has written at least seven masses and sacred pieces like like Aba Po Santa Mariang Reyna; Anima Christi; Aquesta me Guiaban; Preghiera Semplice; Eklesiastes; Gloria for choir, piano and ethnic instruments; Te Deum in Latin and Te Deum in English; as well as several Psalms set to choral music.

He has been conducting countless of choral performances for the church, and wrote three full musicals - Magnificat, Ang Birhen ng Casaysay, and Lorenzo. In 2020, Cayabyab’s wife. Emmy, transformed his St. Michael’s Mass composition into a full-blown musical featuring the TMSRC Vocal Ensemble Class.

He has been conducting countless of choral performances for the church, and wrote three full musicals - Magnificat, Ang Birhen ng Casaysay, and Lorenzo. In 2020, Cayabyab’s wife. Emmy, transformed his St. Michael’s Mass composition into a full-blown musical featuring the TMSRC Vocal Ensemble Class.

Television and Theme Songs

The Maestro hosted Ryan Ryan Musikahan, a late night weekly program that featured singers and musicians. The show aired from June 1988 to July 1995.

Cayabyab composed a number of theme songs for TV shows, brands, and milestone events. He is the brain behind Sarsi’s Angat sa Iba, the well-loved theme song of Sineskwela, the music for TV Patrol and World Tonight (1993-1996), ABS-CBN New Millennium Station ID in 2000, and Landbank’s 60th Anniversary Hymn We are Landbank, among others.

In 2019, he was commissioned to compose We Win As One, the theme song for the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian Games. Floy Quintos wrote the song’s lyrics. Lea Salonga interpreted it.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet
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Sands of Time

Stark beauty of desolate dunes
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Faces of Humanity

Portraits of people from around the globe
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