Posted by ReyFort Media
National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab found himself at the center of a musical celebration honoring both his work and Filipino music.
“Unang Siklab LIYAB: Mga Himig ng Dakilang Pag-Ibig” brought together Lea Salonga, Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Bituin Escalante, Jed Madela and Arman Ferrer at The Theatre at Solaire on September 20, 2026.
The concert was backed by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, with conductors Jonathan Velasco and Toma Cayabyab.
Joining them was the 200-member LIYAB Grand Chorale, made up of singers from eight choral groups: the Ateneo Chamber Singers, Imuscapella, Konsertus, Mass Appeal, Novo Concertante, PCSO Chorale, UP Concert Chorus and UP Manila Chorale.
The result was a production that moved between intimate love songs, inspirational and patriotic pieces, sacred music and familiar compositions from Cayabyab’s catalog.
The concert grew from Cayabyab’s desire to hear more of his sacred works performed live, eventually expanding into a celebration of music and the many forms of love it can express, with Escalante, Madela and Ferrer providing various interpretations throughout the program.
Among the show’s more emotional moments came from Ogie Alcasid, who performed Cayabyab’s much-loved “Da Coconut Nut” and used the moment to encourage elected officials to make use of their “coconut nuts,” turning the performance into one of the concert’s lighter but memorable highlights.
The song, known for its playful take on the humble coconut and its distinctly Filipino character, took on an unexpected emotional weight for Alcasid when the audience gave him a standing ovation. “Hindi ko inakala na sa lahat ng kanta sa ‘Da Coconut Nut’ ako magkaka-standing ovation,” Alcasid said, noticeably moved by the response.
Nievera then brought his familiar concert presence to Cayabyab’s repertoire with performances of “Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka” and “How Can I?”
For Nievera, being part of the concert carried both pressure and privilege. Before the show, he described being asked by Cayabyab to participate as a true honor, particularly because performing the composer’s songs meant matching the emotion and passion in both the lyrics and arrangements.
The occasion was particularly timely for Salonga, who had just reached another historic career milestone.
Earlier this month, Salonga became the first Filipina to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. At “LIYAB,” she brought that milestone back home with performances of “Liman-dipang Tao” and “Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako.”
Cayabyab’s music has moved across pop, theater, sacred music, choral composition, orchestral work and television. He was named National Artist for Music in 2018.
That breadth was reflected on the LIYAB stage, where individual performances eventually gave way to a much larger communal sound. The 200-member chorale and Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra gave Cayabyab’s compositions a grander scale while bringing together established and younger performers.
The concert also looked beyond Cayabyab’s catalog, paying tribute to the work and legacy of other National Artists across different artistic disciplines.
Throughout the evening, Cayabyab himself remained at the concert’s emotional center. He did not simply watch his music being celebrated. He took part in the performance, playing alongside the massive choral forces assembled for the production.
The concert moved toward its finale with everyone coming together for “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika,” followed by an encore performance of “Kumukutikutitap,” turning the ending into a festive gathering.
“LIYAB” began with a “siklab,” or spark, rooted in Cayabyab’s sacred music. By the end, that spark had grown into hundreds of voices, a full orchestra and some of the country’s most recognizable performers.
For Cayabyab, it was a celebration of a lifetime of music. For the performers and audience, it was a reminder that Filipino songs can continue to bring generations together. (I. Ureta / mb.com.ph)
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