SOAP Opera ng Buhay Ko 2 performers singing the finale song. Photo by Jaypee Maristaza.
September 22, 2019 — Featuring some of the biggest names in the local and international concert scene, another edition of Ang SOAP Opera ng Buhay Ko 2: Musika ni Ryan, Medisina ng Ating Bayan (Isang Pagpupugay ng Iskolar ng Bayan sa Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) was held on September 21 at the Philippine International Convention Center Reception Hall to pay tribute to the National Artist for Music and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Ryan Cayabyab.
With the musical accompaniment of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Jonathan Velasco, all the artist-performers in the show waived their talent fees to help raise funds for the construction of the UPCM Medical Sciences Building.
The show started with The Wonderful Choir composed of the Ateneo Chamber Singers and the Mass Appeal Choir who sang Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka. It was followed by Tim Pavino singing the nostalgic Iduyan Mo, Yasmien Kurdi belting out Tunay na Ligaya, and emcee Franco Laurel crooning Paraisong Parisukat. Theater actress Cris Villonco sang Limang Dipang Tao, John Arcilla belted out Hindi Simple ang Buhay, trained tenor Arman Ferrer for Gloria and Sometime, Somewhere, Ima Castro, Hello Joe Goodbye, and Cris Go for Pahiram ng Kanta. Pinky Marquez sang Aba, ba, ba, Boogie and had a duet with Rachel Alejandro for Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako. Baihana (composed of Krina Cayabyab, Melinda Torre, and Ana Achacoso-Graham) sang Mamang Kutsero, Queen of Soul Jaya performed Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang, and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers crooned Hibang sa Awit. Grand Champion Performer of the World Jed Madela performed How Can I, Iniibig Kita, and the Christmas song Munting Sanggol.
The event’s overall chair, Dr. Melfred Hernandez, explained what SOAP stands for – Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan, a method of documentation employed by doctors to complete a patient’s chart. UPCM Dean Dr. Charlotte Chiong thanked everyone who made the concert possible.
The much-awaited performer, Lea Salonga, sang Nais Ko, Magbalik Ka na Mahal, and Kailan where she asked Cayabyab to play the piano. Lastly, she sang We Win as One, the anthem for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games that Mr. C also wrote. Lea said it was the first time it was sang in public.
Finally, all the performers including the UP Medicine Alumni Society Choir and UP Medicine Choir gathered back on stage to sing Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika and Kumukutikutitap both composed by Cayabyab, and the nationalistic songs Bayan Ko and Lupang Hinirang.
Anne Marie Alto | Published in UP Manila Healthscape September – October 2019
