Mr. C’s 10+1

There were 14 speeches at the recent Gawad CCP Para sa Sining awards: 12 from awardees and two from the organizers. Most of the former were heartfelt thank you’s. Many recalled humble beginnings, sentimental starts that have since blossomed. A few made pointed statements about their industry and the state of the nation; one went way over the two-minute limit and was thick on propaganda. One put aside a prepared statement and answered instead some of the points raised in the speeches of the other awardees.

Hands down the crowd favorite was the response of the awardee for music, Ryan Cayabyab, who shared ten–plus one–things he learned in the course of his life as one of the country’s most prolific and gifted composers/arrangers. Due to numerous requests and with his permission and blessing, we are sharing Ryan’s insights with you in his original Filipino version, followed by an English translation. While it is written by an artist for artists, those of us who are not as favored by the muses might do well to take heed.

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Ang mga Natutunan Ko Hanggang Kahapon Bilang Isang Manunulat ng Musika:

1. Walang mangyayari kung nakatitig ka lang sa labas ng bintana habang naghihintay ng inspirasyon. Malimit na ito ay hindi dumarating.

2. Kapag mayroon ka nang naumpisahan, tapusin mo.

3. Kapag may pumansin sa nilikha mo dalawang bagay lang ang gagawin mo: una, kung ito ay pinuri, ngumiti ka; pangalawa, pag ito’y binatikos, humalakhak ka. Huwag mong pakawalan ang iyong bait. Mabuti nga’t napansin ang likha mo.

4. Lumikha ka lang ng lumikha. Tumigil ka lang pag patay ka na. Siyempre.

5. Huwag mong liliitin ang mga nilikha mo. Minsan ito ay may kapangyarihan na hindi mo matalos.

6. Sa kabilang dako naman, huwag ka nang magmalaki. Maraming mas magaling kaysa sa iyo, kung hindi ngayon, sa mga darating pang panahon.

7. Hindi sa iyo ang mga nilikha mo. Ginamit ka lang na isang daan upang maisalarawan mo ang kalagayan ng iyong kapanahunan at kapaligiran.

8. Magpasalamat ka sa mga taong nagpakita sa iyo ng daan.

9. Magpasalamat ka sa bayan mo na iyong kinalakhan.

10. Magpasalamat ka sa Diyos dahil ikaw ay humihinga at ikaw ay isang alagad ng sining!

May pahabol pang isa: Hangga’t maaari, huwag ka nang dumakdak ng dumakdak, tugtugin mo na lang.

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What I learned–up to yesterday–as a composer:

1. Nothing will come from staring out the window waiting for inspiration. Usually it doesn’t come.

2. If you start something, finish it.

3. If someone takes notice of what you have created, you have two options: If your work is praised, smile. If it is panned, laugh. Don’t lose your cool. At least your work was noticed.

4. Keep on creating. Stop only when you’re dead. Obviously.

5. Don’t belittle your works. Sometimes they have power beyond your comprehension.

6. On the other hand, don’t think too much of yourself. There are many others better than you, if not now, then in the future.

7. Your works do not belong to you. You are simply the means used to express the times and environment you live in.

8. Remember to thank the people who showed you the way.

9. Remember to thank your country that nurtured you.

10. Remember to thank the Lord that you are alive and an artist.

And one more thing: Whenever possible, stop talking; make music instead.