Vlad Bunoan

Article (news)

Ryan Cayabyab

Jude Cartalaba

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768522629659e6843fae-5817-41a3-bb96-2307a51a9d4c.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-dragging" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">National Artist for Music Ryan &quot;Mr. C&quot; Cayabyab</span></span></span></div><p>For this year&#x27;s Valentine’s weekend, Rockwell and Prosecenium Theater bring together three of OPM&#x27;s most revered voices -- Basil Valdez, Celeste Legaspi, and Ogie Alcasid -- as featured performers in Ryan Cayabyab’s MaestroClass concert series dubbed &quot;Love Letters&quot; on February 13-15.</p><p>The National Artist for Music invites the audience to find the rhythm of their own hearts as they listen and reminisce through the timeless works of composers George Canseco, Jose Mari Chan, and Willy Cruz.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768522642721a5f33afa-0a0c-44fa-b64b-ff37b0cb34c1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>Known for his rich, soulful voice, Valdez is the iconic interpreter behind many of OPM’s most enduring ballads — including &quot;Kastilyong Buhangin,&quot; &quot;Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan,&quot; and &quot;Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka&quot; —s ongs that have become synonymous with timeless Filipino romance.</p><p>Valdez recalled his fondest memories when doing collaborations with Cayabyab: “The only thing I remember is that I necessarily had to interpret the song &#x27;Nais Ko&#x27; very well. The very first song that Ryan wrote for me was &#x27;Paraisong Parisukat,&#x27; and it won the FAMAS best movie theme. And I felt that I should be singing all his songs well.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17685226542618cf7afd8-ae8e-4bc9-bfab-165ce472e402.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Basil Valdez</span></span></span></div><p>Legaspi, meanwhile, has been a defining voice in Philippine music for decades, celebrated for her elegant interpretations and contributions to Filipino culture.</p><p>She also shared her meaningful encounter with Cayabyab through the song &quot;Minsan Minahal ay Ako.&quot; “It was originally written for &#x27;Katy!&#x27; as a solo of Katy de La Cruz.,&quot; she recalled.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176852280023835712544-b8ad-4148-81a4-3e379d36e2c3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Celeste Legaspi</span></span></span></div><p>&quot;As executive producers of the musical, Girlie Rodis and I were approaching possible sponsors. One in particular wanted to know if I would be in the musical and what I would be singing. Thus, my role, Olivia, inspired by several singers that Mommy Kate has performed with during those times, was enlarged to sing a duet with Katy. As the performer, I was cynical and angry while Mommy Kate sang that song for the audience, even if and when forgotten by them. It became the highlight and theme of the musical. It was a blessing for us, who were involved in the work. Years later, Ryan asked me to record as a solo, and I loved it even more. The lyrics and melody have always been special,” she added.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17685226696000cbb8170-fa03-4c0f-84c5-5899c23b38f2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Ogie Alcasid</span></span></span></div><p>Lastly, Alcasid, who&#x27;s also an award-winning singer and songwriter, brings his warmth and storytelling to the stage, bridging generations through a body of work that includes beloved classics.</p><p>While Cayabyab has not written a song for him, Alcasid said he has worked with the &quot;maestro&quot; countless times.</p><p>&quot;Sometimes he forgets to start the music because he’s busy laughing at my jokes,” Alcasid shared.</p><p>When the three artists were asked about songs they’d love to interpret apart from those that were close to their hearts, they paused to think and shared each of their preferences.</p><p>Alcasiud said, “My favorite is &#x27;How Can I.&#x27; It is simply such a beautiful song.”</p><p>&quot;How Can I&quot; is a poignant song written by Cayabyab, and originally recorded by Martin Nievera.</p><p>Legaspi, on the other hand, mentioned the liturgical pieces composed by Cayabyab. “I’ve always liked his songs from &#x27;Misa.&#x27; But the interpretations are perfect. I don’t think I can improve on them. Just love listening to them,” she said.</p><p>Valdez, however, said, “I really can’t think of any song that I’d like to interpret other than the ones that I had recorded. After all, I was blessed to have been asked by Ryan to sing 16 of his songs.”</p><p>&quot;Love Letters,&quot; the show, focuses on songs about love, allowing Cayabyab to engage more closely with the audience through both dialogue and performance.</p><p>Tickets are now available via TicketWorld (online and outlets) and at the Power Plant Mall Cinema.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eywjTrYrIL4?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e2xkrVHslm4?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gWYahqrB69U?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>For this year's Valentine’s weekend, Rockwell and Prosecenium Theater bring together three of OPM's most revered voices -- Basil Valdez, Celeste Legaspi, and Ogie Alcasid -- as featured performers in Ryan Cayabyab’s MaestroClass concert series dubbed "Love Letters" on February 13-15.</p>

For this year's Valentine’s weekend, Rockwell and Prosecenium Theater bring together three of OPM's most revered voices -- Basil Valdez, Celeste Legaspi, and Ogie Alcasid -- as featured performers in Ryan Cayabyab’s MaestroClass concert series dubbed "Love Letters" on February 13-15.

Ryan Cayabyab returns to Proscenium with Basil Valdez, Celeste Legaspi, Ogie Alcasid in 'Love Letters'

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Ryan Cayabyab returns to Proscenium with Basil Valdez, Celeste Legaspi, Ogie Alcasid in 'Love Letters'

Jude Cartalaba

Published January 16, 2026 11:40 AM PHT

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Ryan Cayabyab

Love Letters

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Basil Valdez

Ogie Alcasid

Celeste Legaspi

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