A celebration of music, love, friendship and the enduring Filipino spirit.
National Artist Ryan Cayabyab’s timeless music—from sacred and inspirational works to beloved songs that have become part of the Filipino soundtrack—will take center stage at “Unang Siklab LIYAB: Mga Himig ng Dakilang Pag-Ibig” on September 20, 2026, at The Theatre at Solaire.
The concert brings together Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of conductors Jonathan Velasco and Toma Cayabyab, with an exceptional roster of Filipino artists: Lea Salonga, Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Bituin Escalante, Jed Madela, Gigi De Lana, Sofronio Vasquez and Arman Ferrer.
Joining them is the 200-member LIYAB Grand Chorale, composed of eight of the country’s distinguished choirs: the Ateneo Chamber Singers, Imuscapella, Konsertus, Mass Appeal, Novo Concertante, PCSO Chorale, UP Concert Chorus, and the UP Manila Chorale.
The overwhelming response to the concert has already underscored the enduring appeal of Cayabyab’s music. Tickets to the original 7 p.m. performance sold out within 48 hours after public online sales opened through TicketWorld, prompting production company Ducks Entertainment to add a 2 p.m. matinee on the same day.
Tickets for the 2 p.m. performance remain available through TicketWorld https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/Show.aspx?sh=LIYABM26 or by contacting Ducks Entertainment via Viber at +63 977 799 0921.
“We are very thankful for the audience’s support of Filipino music and the enduring legacy of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab,” Ducks Entertainment said in a statement.
From a Maestro’s wish to “LIYAB”
The seeds of LIYAB were planted months ago, when Cayabyab shared on Facebook his wish to see his sacred music performed in a concert.
Known affectionately as Mr. C., Cayabyab has composed a wide range of religious and sacred works throughout his career, including church hymns and full-length works such as Misa, Magnificat, Ang Birhen ng Casaysay and Lorenzo.
But as the concert took shape, the vision grew.
The sacred choral works became the spark—ang “Unang Siklab.” From that initial spark, LIYAB evolved into an opportunity to celebrate the many ways music can express love: love of God, country, people, friendship and the Filipino spirit.
Two couples—Doctors Melfred and Arlene Hernandez, and entrepreneurs Mon and Monique Eugenio—turned a longtime friendship and shared love for music into Ducks Entertainment, joining forces to bring Cayabyab’s vision to life. The couples are close friends of Mr. C. and his wife, Emmy.
How they came up with the name of the production outfit is a story in itself.
The friendship was forged in 2011, and through the years, the friends found themselves sharing a love for music, good food, travel, and a brand of humor that is playful, somewhat irreverent, and often self-deprecating.
The three men call themselves “Tatlong Bibe.” So when two of the Bibes Melf and Mon decided to form a production outfit together with their wives, there was really only one name that made sense: Ducks Entertainment, Inc.
The name was also a playful nod to the popular entertainment show of their youth—a fitting connection given that one of the concert’s biggest stars had her beginnings in the show.
For the producers, the concert is ultimately an expression of gratitude and love for a composer whose music has touched generations of Filipinos.
“We want Filipinos to see the value of and appreciate Filipino music, especially the youth,” said Arlene Hernandez, explaining the producers’ vision for the concert.
“As advocates of our nation’s music, the Filipino people must continue to sing it, perform it, reinterpret it and allow the next generations to discover it, embrace it and make it truly theirs. In that way, Filipino music will live on and continue to inspire,” Arlene elaborated.
For Melfred Hernandez, LIYAB is about something even more personal.
“It’s a love letter—to a National Artist whose songs raised us, and to a friendship that decided that his music deserved a stage this big.”
At its heart, LIYAB seeks to rekindle something the producers believe is deeply needed today: love.
Through a repertoire encompassing sacred, inspirational and beloved Filipino songs, the concert hopes to ignite a renewed love for country and for one another.
“We want to rekindle the idea of love. There’s just too little of it, especially during these trying times,” said Mon Eugenio.
But the producers envision LIYAB as more than a one-time celebration.
“We hope to develop LIYAB into a template that can eventually be brought to the Visayas and Mindanao, with homegrown choirs and artists taking center stage. That is the dream,” said Monique Eugenio.
The vision is to bring the LIYAB concept to different parts of the country while allowing each region to contribute its own artists, voices and musical identity.
“We don’t want to bring Manila to the provinces. We want to bring the platform, and let the provinces bring their own voices,” said Monique.
Music that gives back
In keeping with the spirit of love and generosity behind LIYAB, portions of the concert’s proceeds will benefit the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Medical Foundation, supporting its continuing efforts to provide care and assistance to patients and programs of the Philippine General Hospital.
A portion will also go to the UP-PGH Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, as it celebrates its 65th Founding Anniversary, honoring generations of physicians, teachers, researchers and healthcare professionals whose commitment has helped advance patient care, education and service.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) International Scholarship Fund will likewise be among the beneficiaries, supporting opportunities for Filipino artists and cultural practitioners to further their education and development.
For the producers, bringing LIYAB to the stage has been an ambitious undertaking.
“We didn’t realize it would be such an ambitious undertaking. A 200-voice choir made up of eight different choral groups, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, multiple conductors, major soloists, rehearsals, music preparation, production logistics—and making sure that all of these moving parts eventually become one coherent artistic experience,” said Mon.
For Dr. Melfred, however, the complexity behind the production is precisely what the audience should never have to think about.
“The funny thing about producing a concert of this scale is that the audience should never see all that complexity. They should simply sit down, hear the first note, and feel the magic—and leave the theatre with LIYAB in their hearts: for God, for country and for their beloved.”
“Unang Siklab LIYAB: Mga Himig ng Dakilang Pag-Ibig” is presented by Ducks Entertainment on September 20, 2026, at The Theatre at Solaire, with performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
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