NATIONAL Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab has been referred to as “Maestro” even before he was proclaimed national artist.

However, for his 70th birthday concert tribute, Mr. C, as he is fondly called, will have to set aside the “Maestro” tag and settle for Gen C, the title of the concert.

“We wanted to feature how child-like Ryan is,” explained producer Celeste Legaspi. “That is one of the main characteristics of Ryan through the years. Ever since I met him, he’s like a child. Like a teddy bear. Mababaw ang kaligayahan niya.

“We wanted to stay away from his ‘Maestro’ title. So we wanted to emphasize his accessibility. We want people to enjoy Mr. C, that’s why this concert adapted that position.

“He’s 70 and that has to be celebrated. We worked very hard to help nominate him as National Artist in 2018. We were a group of women who researched high and low on his credentials.”

“We wanted to make sure all of Ryan’s works would be presented to the NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts), so he would become a National Artist. That’s an achievement for OPM (Original Pilipino Music) when Ryan became a National Artist.”

Now that Mr. C turned 70 last May 4, he is preparing for his two-night birthday concert, Gen C, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. The show is produced by Celeste and Girlie Rodis for Culturtain Musicat Productions, with surgeon Melfred Hernandez and Aaron Veloso.

The title, Gen C, is apparently a play on the first letter of Mr. C’s last name and in reference to today’s youth.

So how does it feel to be 70, Mr. C was asked. “It’s the same,” he acknowledged. “I don’t see anything really different. I still live by the day. Before, you dreamed that someday, there’ll be this and that.

“Today, that’s different. You just take anything given to you and then do something about it. I’m amazed, because there’s still work. I call it work if it’s income generating.

“Matanda na ang tingin sa amin, but hindi pa rin namin nararamdaman na matanda na kami. I’m very grateful to reach this age – 70.”

Since he turned 40 in 1994, Mr. C has been marking his birthday successfully every decade.

In 1995, a year after Mr. C turned 40, concert producers Celeste and Girlie produced the birthday tribute at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

When he turned 50, Mr. C had a memorable concert celebration, Music Man at 50, in 2004 also at the CCP and produced by ABS-CBN.

That was followed by Mr. C’s sexagenarian celebration, Mr. C at 60, again at the CCP and mounted by ABS-CBN anew.

Mr. C is apparently busier now, more than ever. “It seems like,” he said. “During the pandemic, parang zero, flatline talaga. Buti may mga naipon, pero kung wala, oh my gosh.

“Maybe, others are going after me. Habang buhay pa ako. They are giving me all these musical projects. But I don’t think being a National Artist [in 2018] even added to my income.

“They were probably saying after I became a National Artist, ‘Ang mahal na nga niyan, ngayon lalo pang naging mahal. Doble na nga ‘yan, magiging triple pa.’ That was what I was thinking.”

However, that didn’t faze Mr. C. “There are so many things to do,” he said. “If that’s not income-generating, there are a lot of other things to do.

“Then, I discovered going back to painting in 2022. I had my first exhibit last year. But there are so many things happening in the music scene these days. I hope, it will not ebb.

“There are so many theater musicals, concerts. Everybody is staging a concert and all the shows make money. But we don’t know if it will plateau.”

While veteran artists led by Basil Valdes and Regine Velasquez will join Mr. C onstage in Gen C on May 11, the latter will get to work for the first time with the likes of Stell of SB19, Ben & Ben, Juan Karlos Labajo and Bini.

“I became a fan of those young artists,” Mr. C admitted. “Si Belle (Mariano), ang ganda pala ng batang ‘yun. Si Stell, ang taas ng boses. When I met JK Labajo, his voice was so mature. Hindi mababaw.

“They are the ones who work really hard. Especially when the challenge is great, they have to work harder so they will attain success.”

Also guesting in Gen C are Aicelle Santos, Arman Ferrer, Belle Mariano, Bituin Escalante, Jed Madela, John Arcilla, Karylle Tatlonghari, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Mikee Bradshaw Volante, Nonie Buencamino, Nyoy Volante, Phi Palmos, Shiela Valderrama Martinez and Gloc 9.

The singing groups who will perform are Ateneo Chamber Singers, Dilaw Band, The Company and The Ryan Cayabyab Singers.

For the May 12 concert, Vice Ganda, Julie Ann San Jose and Janella Salvador will perform. All the artists will be accompanied by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO). Concert producer of Gen C is Culturtain Musicat Productions.