Tag: Ryan Cayabyab

Camille Thomas Joins Cayabyab and Almario for MSO Centennial Concert V

Presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance, co-presented by EastWest Bank and DENZA Alabang by ACMobility Premium Dealership Inc., the Manila Symphony Orchestra continues its 100th Anniversary Season with a concert featuring internationally acclaimed Franco-Belgian cellist Camille Thomas and the World Premiere of Pasasalamat for choir and orchestra, music by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab with text by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, under the musical direction of MSO Principal Conductor Maestro Marlon Chen.

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.

The concert also features Camille Thomas, an internationally renowned Franco-Belgian cellist known for her expressive performances and technical artistry. An exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist since 2017, Thomas 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.

Thomas’ artistic advocacy resonates with the ideas at the heart of Pasasalamat. Both approach music as a way of connecting people and encouraging reflection and compassion. In the context of the MSO’s centennial, this shared perspective gives the program a contemporary dimension, inviting audiences to consider the role music can continue to play in bringing people together and strengthening the communities it serves.

Thomas joins the MSO for Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33. Written in 1876, the work draws on the elegance of the Classical style while giving the soloist opportunities for expression and virtuosity.

The program concludes with Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Op. 48, performed with MSO and the award-winning PUP Bagong Himig Serenata. Fauré’s Requiem offers a gentler and more intimate take on the traditional music of remembrance. Its setting is lyrical and peaceful, focusing less on fear and judgment and more on comfort, hope, and rest. It brings the evening to a quiet and reflective close.Bringing together a new Filipino work by National Artists for Music and Literature, an internationally acclaimed cellist whose artistry is rooted in a sense of purpose, and music spanning different eras and musical worlds, Centennial Concert V finds common ground in music’s power to connect and inspire hope. MSO at 100 looks ahead with the belief that orchestral music can certainly build more harmonious communities around the world.

Tickets range from P1000-P5000 and are available on Ticketworld. Discount codes for students, seniors, and PWDs are available.

Sponsored by the Embassy of France to the Philippines, Grand Hyatt Manila, National Performing Arts Grantee, and SM Hotels and Conventions.

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.

September 28, 2026
National Artist Ryan Cayabyab Returns to the Proscenium Theater with What’s It All About? — Celebrating the Music of Burt Bacharach

This May, audiences are invited to rediscover some of the most beloved songs ever written as National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab returns to the stage with the third chapter of the MaestroClass Concert Series: What’s It All About? — Celebrating the Music of Burt Bacharach, happening May 15 to 17, 2026, at the Proscenium Theater.

Following sold-out runs, the MaestroClass series continues its signature “masterclass-style” format where Cayabyab goes beyond conducting and performing. Through stories, musical demonstrations, and live arrangements, he guides audiences through the artistry and structure behind songs that shaped generations.

Presented by Rockwell, this third chapter celebrates the legendary songbook of Burt Bacharach, the American hitmaker whose sophisticated pop melodies and distinctive compositions produced dozens of global classics and influenced generations of composers worldwide.

For this special three-night engagement, Cayabyab brings together an exciting lineup of powerhouse Filipino vocalists, Jett Pangan, Bituin Escalante, Gigi De Lana, and Sofronio Vasquez, joined by the dynamic vocal group Baihana, promising an evening of rich harmonies, storytelling, and powerful interpretations, under the stage direction of Rowell Santiago.

Together, they will bring to life some of Bacharach classics including What the World Needs Now Is Love, Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head, I Say a Little Prayer, The Look of Love, Close to You, and Walk On By—timeless songs known for their lush arrangement and intricate rhythms.

Set within the intimate 776-seat Proscenium Theater, the experience is elevated by the venue’s natural acoustics—the first of its kind in the Philippines—and its Steinway & Sons grand piano, providing the perfect stage for Cayabyab to explore Bacharach’s music.

Tickets for What’s It All About? — Celebrating the Music of Burt Bacharach are available on March 14 via TicketWorld (online and outlets) and at the Power Plant Mall Cinema. Following two sold-out chapters—from the music of Ryan Cayabyab himself to timeless OPM classics—the MaestroClass Concert Series now turns its spotlight to the legendary songs of Burt Bacharach.

March 11, 2026
The MSO 100th Anniversary Concert
The Manila Symphony Orchestra celebrates its centennial season in a spirit of thanksgiving with a program that honors its legacy and looks toward the future. Exactly one hundred years ago, the MSO performed Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 at its inaugural concert, a work that returns to the stage in this historic celebration, first conducted by founder Alexander Lippay and now and now under the baton of Singaporean guest conductor Darrel Ang, alongside the Emperor Concerto, featuring rising young Chinese pianist Muyu Liu. MSO Trustee and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab’s Misa 2000 and Te Deum conclude the program with the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers under the baton of Professor Mark Anthony Carpio, in a resounding tribute of gratitude to the MSO’s enduring faith, excellence, and service to the Filipino musical spirit.

REPERTOIRE

Beethoven: Leonore Overture no. 3, op. 72
(Performed exactly 100 years ago)
Darrel Ang, Conductor

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72 is one of his most dramatic orchestral works, embodying themes of struggle, freedom, and triumph. Originally written for his only opera, Fidelio (1805), the overture transforms the story’s emotional journey from darkness and conflict to light and redemption into a powerful symphonic form. Performed exactly one hundred years ago at the Manila Symphony Orchestra’s inaugural concert, Leonore No. 3 returns in the MSO’s Centennial Anniversary to honor and remind audiences of its enduring legacy.

Beethoven: Piano Concerto no. 5 in E flat Major
Muyu Liu, pianist
Darrel Ang, Conductor

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73, often called the “Emperor Concerto”,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.

Cayabyab: Misa 2000 Cayabyab
Philippine Madrigal Singers
Manila Symphony Orchestra
Mark Anthony Carpio, conductor

Philippine National Artist for Music Ryan 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.

Cayabyab: Te Deum
Philippine Madrigal Singers
Manila Symphony Orchestra
Mark Anthony Carpio, conductor

Maestro Ryan Cayabyab’s 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.

MSO SEASON 100 CONCERT LINE UP (2026-2027):
- Concert I – Centennial Opening: The Sleeping Beauty
  March 13-15, 2026 Friday, Saturday, Saturday | Aliw Theater
- Concert II – Centennial Rising Stars of the Philippines
  May 30, 2026 Friday| Proscenium Theatre
- Concert III – Symphony of a Nation: 100 Years of Music, 80 Years of FilAm Friendship
  July 4, 2026 Saturday | Manila Metropolitan Theater
- Concert IV – Legacies in Song: MSO’s 100 Years and the Voice of Conching Rosal
  August 29, 2026 Saturday | 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

Tickets are available via Ticketworld.
- 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
- 50% Student Discount
- 20% Senior Citizens, PWDs
- 20% Early Bird Discount Code: MSO100EB20
- Code Validity: December 1, 2025 11:59PM
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

YouTube – Manila Symphony Orchestra
Facebook – Manila Symphony Orchestra
Instagram – @manila.symphony
TikTok – @manilasymphonyorchestra
Website – www.manilasymphony.com

#ManilaSymphonyOrchestra #MSO #TheMSO100thAnniversaryConcert #Season99 #MSORoadTo100#MSO100
November 11, 2025
Ryan Cayabyab, Martin Nievera, and Lani Misalucha Headline the First Major Concert at Rockwell’s Proscenium Theater

This November, audiences will be treated to an unforgettable musical experience as three icons of Filipino music come together in a rare and momentous collaboration. National Artist for Music Ryan “Mr. C” Cayabyab, The Concert King Martin Nievera, and Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha headline the MaestroClass Concert Series, happening from November 14 to 16, 2025, at Rockwell’s Proscenium Theater.

Marking the first major concert to be staged at the Proscenium Theater, this milestone event celebrates world-class Filipino artistry, bringing together legendary voices and compositions in an evening that promises to captivate both loyal fans and new audiences alike.

Opening the MaestroClass Concert Series is a celebration of the timeless songs of Ryan Cayabyab —songs like Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Da Coconut Nut, and Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka that have been sung by choirs, bands and solo artists across decades. This rare collaboration brings together three of the country’s most iconic performers in a showcase that reimagines some of Mr. C’s most beloved works. The Maestro will be joined by the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, a vocal ensemble he personally handpicked, as they present a repertoire that celebrates the best of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) through heartfelt renditions and powerful live performances.Set within the Proscenium Theater, the MaestroClass concert promises an intimate and immersive experience. Designed as the first theater in the Philippines built with natural acoustics, the 780-seat venue ensures a pure and immersive listening experience, allowing audiences to appreciate every note and nuance in its most authentic form. Adding to its distinction, the theater also features Steinway pianos, the first to be permanently housed in a Philippine performance venue, which Mr. C will personally play during the concert.

More than a concert, the MaestroClass series offers audiences an up-close encounter with the Maestro, where they can listen, learn, and be inspired by his timeless music brought to life by Lani Misalucha’s soaring vocals and Martin Nievera’s unmatched showmanship.

Secure your seats at ticketworld.com.ph, and follow @ProsceniumTheater on Facebook and Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes features.

October 23, 2025
Meet Me at The Pen: A Symphony of Talent Unveiled

Spend an evening with a true Philippine music legend as multi-awarded musician, composer, conductor, and 2018 National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab returns to The Peninsula Manila for Meet Me at The Pen: A Symphony of Talent Unveiled, a one-night-only pre-47^th anniversary dinner concert at The Lobby on Thursday, August 10.

Bringing together the indelible legacy of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, the music of multi-hyphenate chanteuse Nicole Asensio and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, and the emerging voices of contemporary visual artists Mano Gonzales and Alaga, Meet Me at The Pen: A Symphony of Talent Unveiled will chronicle the past, present, and future of the 47-year history of The Peninsula Manila and its support of Filipino musical and visual talent.

In this dinner concert, Maestro Cayabyab will chronicle his life-long love affair with music, beginning with interpretations of the Great American Songbook by the likes of Gershwin to the funky sounds of Motown and The 5th Dimension. Together with the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, he will also be performing his original compositions that have made him the national artist that he is today. Nicole Asensio will be premiering two music videos and regaling guests with popular jazz tunes.

Ryan Cayabyab Singers

Meet Me at The Pen: A Symphony of Talent Unveiled

August 10, 2023

7:00 pm, Dinner

7:15 pm, Concert

Five-course Dinner and Concert at P 8,800 (inclusive of taxes)

A budding visual artist himself, Cayabyab’s Meet me at The Pen: A Symphony of Talent Unveiled will coincide with The Peninsula Manila’s launch of its contemporary art program, Art in Resonance.

Nicole Asensio

For its Art in Resonance program, The Peninsula Manila has chosen to commission new works by emerging Filipino artists Mano Gonzales and Alaga that will be installed in The Lobby for guests and art aficionados to enjoy until September 30. The public pieces created by these artists will also be auctioned as NFTs (non-fungible tokens) or digital art collectibles, ushering The Peninsula Manila’s art ethos into the future with blockchain technology, in partnership with Scarlet Box, the premier blue chip NFT art launchpad in Asia.

Mano Gonzales’s work thinks through questions of politics, identity and gender, by examining a society’s vernacular memory. He is a self-taught artist based in Manila, who draws on a wide range of influences to create a body of work that includes drawing, sculpture, and fashion styling.

Alaga’s work is a celebration of queer ecology, and a call for the conservation and protection of Philippine biodiversity. They portray how our indigenous flora and fauna reflect the social, economic, spiritual, and ecological conditions of our archipelago, through textiles, performance, and illustration.

With Art in Resonance, The Peninsula Manila is continuing its decades-long contribution to the Philippine cultural ecosystem by providing working artists with financial and logistical support to realize complex projects in the form of public art. Panel discussions and tours will also be organized throughout Art in Resonance’s duration.

Seats for Meet Me at The Pen: A Symphony of Talent Unveiled are available at P 8,800 (inclusive of taxes) per person.

For inquiries or reservations for Meet me at The Pen: A Symphony of Talent Unveiled, please call (63 2) 8887-2888, extensions 6691 or 6694 (Restaurant Reservations) or email DiningPMN@peninsula.com. You may also visit peninsula.com, like The Peninsula Manila on Facebook and follow @thepeninsulamanila on Instagram.

August 1, 2023