The difference is Ryan Cayabyab

(Conclusion)

While on his first year of teaching at the UP College of Music, Ryan met Emelina "Emmy" Punsalan. She was a graduating student, and he was her teacher in one subject. Fireworks didn’t explode, electrical current on or under the skin wasn’t felt. They would bump into each other now and then, they would go out with common chums.

Emmy would offer Ryan her lunch, and Ryan would relish her baon. Eventually, the two would become very close friends until they found themselves going out together, alone sans barkada.

Soon, Ryan said: "Let’s get married." He didn’t bother to ask Emmy if she wanted to get hitched or not or if she loved him enough to go through marriage with him. It hadn’t occurred to Ryan that a proposal was necessary. He thought that because they had known each other so well and had been comfortable in each other’s company, everything would ultimately and naturally lead to matrimony.

Well, without much ado, Ryan, at 31 years of age, in fitting nuptial rites, took for his bride his beloved kabarkada Emmy, who was seven years his junior.

Husband and wife became partners in more ways than one. They became very busy. Ryan was always on the go as teacher, conductor, musical director, record producer, arranger, composer, etc. In 1983, the couple established the Ryan Cayabyab Music Studio for anyone, especially the non-music major, wishing to take up lessons and hone his/her talent in voice, piano and guitar under part-time teachers.

Now, the Studio has reached its 20th year. "We didn’t think it would be there that long. We were able to train a lot of performers," says Ryan. To celebrate its China anniversary, the training center has a series of activities the whole year round.

Everything seemed to be going great. And yet, Ryan intimates that "there was a time we were toying with the idea of migrating for the children’s sake, also to study for Masters and PhD. There was this visa for special artists and scientists. But then, Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco talked to me and exchanged ideas with me about me putting up a choir and an orchestra... It’s fulfilling because the vision is to promote, preserve and perform Philippine music, recording – all Filipino music."

Ryan then formed and became the conductor of the San Miguel Master Chorale and The San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra. "These are perfect venues for the music I write and good venues to perform my music."

He is currently the executive director of The San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts. As executive director, Ryan takes charge of programming and cooking up musical events. The San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra which has earned a reputation for its perfect harmony, has accompanied world-class artists such as Cecile Licad. Both the chorale and the orchestra shift with ease between the classics and pop.

Ryan has, to date, five solo CDs, one double album, and four other albums. More busy than ever, Ryan must be fun to watch making music with his Ate and his Kuya, who both sing, or with Ate on the piano and Kuya on the guitar. And Ryan, the frustrated singer? Well, maybe he may not have a fantastic voice, but he can play with his vocal cords to his listeners’ and his own delight.

No matter how Ryan’s parents tried to "protect" their brood from the "hard life" of an artist, it’s music and the arts everywhere. Even Ryan and Emmy’s children are into the arts. Cristina, 18, is taking up Music at UP, while Antonio, 15, is a student of Ateneo de Manila.

Ryan finally resigned as teacher at the UP College of Music so that he could organize his time for his multiple tasks better. He has been so busy that it took him five years before he could enjoy again a grand vacation in the US. He and his family spent three weeks in April of this year visiting friends and relatives in the West Coast.

Ryan’s astrological chart must be free, or almost free, of afflictions. Perhaps it’s replete with trines, judging from all the luck coming his way. In fact, he cannot cite one or two most fulfilling moments or accomplishments in his career. "Marami kasi," he muses. Neither can he think of anything most frustrating. "It’s not just luck," he states, "it’s choosing things correctly and being aware" of possible effects and consequences.

"It’s deciding what path to follow and what action to take based on your strong feelings."

Kay ganda ng ating musika, indeed.