Ryan’s Filipino love songs

There are a lot of things to be happy about the release of the Great Filipino Love Songs album produced and arranged by Ryan Cayabyab and performed by The San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra.

It is a major production featuring old Filipino love songs and we do not see much of those nowadays. Truth to tell, it has become a rare occurrence. Most of the new albums produced either feature newer works by Filipinos or adaptations of foreign hits. Producers refrain from recording the local classics because the rights to use the songs cost more than those of new compositions. Then, there is the belief among sellers that these songs do not sell anymore.

But surprise! Great Filipino Love Songs is a hit. It first grabbed attention in the upscale Tower Records but has now invaded other outlets. So in the midst of the public’s continued preference for the Sexbombs and the Hot Babes, there is a product made up of classics that has broken through. This might seem like a minor occurrence but I’ve always dreaded the idea that these songs will just die quietly without anybody making a peep for their preservation. Sadly forgotten and gone forever for future generations. That is bound to happen if producers will continue to shy away from this kind of music, which is one of this country’s greatest treasures. I hope that with the success of Great Filipino Love Songs, others will follow suit.

Then there is the fact that Ryan has recorded these songs with a full orchestra. I recall a time when Ryan composed a Mass for his recital because he could not afford to hire a complete orchestra to perform his compositions. I do not know if financial constraints were also the reasons for his decision to sing several voices in his a capella album One. Whatever it was, his lack of an orchestra to work with resulted in a truly enjoyable collection that includes my favorite version of Saan Ka Man Naroroon. But thanks to San Miguel, times are now better and Ryan has recorded Saan with an orchestra.

Ryan has experimented with modern arrangements for Filipino songs before. Think of the mostly synthesized recordings he produced for Celeste Legaspi. This time around though he sticks to standard arrangements which prove ideal for the live recording done at the SMFPA Rehearsal Hall. As such, the music evokes a bygone era when balls, tertullias and haranas were the lovely settings for romance. Put your imagination to use and you too can waltz to Mike Velarde Jr.’s Minamahal Kita, foxtrot to Ikaw, also by Velarde with lyrics by Dominador Santiago, flirt with Katakataka by Santiago Suarez with Santiago again and vow undying love with Restie Umali’s Saan Ka Man Naroroon with words by Levi Celerio.

The other songs included are Bato Sa Buhangin, by Ernani Cuenco and Snafu Rigor, Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, by Cuenco with lyrics by Celerio, Maalaala Mo Kaya, and Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig, by Constancio de Guzman, Hindi Kita Malimot, by Josefino Cenizal, Ikaw ang Mahal Ko, and Minamahal Sinasamba by Tito Arevalo plus Dahil Sa Iyo, Buhat, and Lahat ng Araw all by Velarde with lyrics also by Santiago.

Great Filipino Love Songs only scratches the tip of a huge iceberg. I see music as the bulk of the heritage that was handed down to us from the past and which is being regretfully ignored. I wish that Ryan will have the same tenacity that Armida Siguion Reyna has to keep old Filipino music alive with her Aawitan Kita series which I am glad to say is now a monthly special on ABC 5. I wish that Ryan would dig deep, deep into the mines of our musical past. If he keeps at it and if San Miguel continues to provide its support, we might soon be listening to volume after volume of Great Filipino Love Songs.

Now that we are in this mood, I also wish you’d check out the live recording of the Tribute to the National Artist concert held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. This one features the biggest names in local recording these days performing the works of National Artists. Available on DVD, VCD and CD formats, this has Sharon Cuneta and Paolo Santos doing Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Regine Velasquez with Lagi Kitang Naaalala, Gary Valenciano with Ugoy ng Duyan, Jose Llana and Isay Alvarez with Bayan Ko, Jolina Magdangal and Galawgaw, Vernie Varga with Bituing Marikit and many others.