Ryan Cayabyab shares tips on how to nurture potential in kids
Ryan Cayabyab has been mentoring talents for decades now, many of them becoming forces to reckon with in the music industry.
Ryan Cayabyab has been mentoring talents for decades now, many of them becoming forces to reckon with in the music industry.
In an interview, he said that while learning never stops and that it happens in all stages in life, it is best to start them young.
“Lahat ng bata may kanya kanyang talino. It’s important na bata palang mabigyan na sila ng direksyon o training,” the esteemed composer said. “Naniniwala ako sa education eh. Importante na sumali siya sa class, sa choir, theater, dance group, o banda; na makasama siya sa isang club na pare-pareho ng pag-iisip dahil matututo siya maging team player. Matututo siyang maging aware, ‘Uy nagagawa niya ’yun, mas magagawa ko nang mas mahusay.’”
But first, the parents must be able to recognize the potential in their child.
“’Yung mga parents alam nila, napapansin nila ’yun. Made-detect nila agad kapag, ‘Itong batang ’to ang aga palang kumakanta na at nasa tono,’ ’Yun ’yung unang indication,” Cayabyab said.
He warned that forcing a kid to do something against his will won’t yield good results.
“Hindi importante na pipilitin namin sila na maging musician – hindi ’yun ang point ng training.”
We interviewed Cayabyab at the recital of the i-Shine Talent Camp 6 held last May 11 at Kia Theatre. The summer camp offers workshops for arts, dance, music and engineering with the help of the best mentors in the field. Along with Cayabyab are Teacher Geor- celle Dapat-Sy of G-Force, Teacher Robert Alejandro and Teacher Lei Sta. Maria.
To us, some of the kids who joined the camp seemed too young. Or is that so?
“Kung masyado pa silang maliit, ang importante ma-experience lang nila ’yun. I-enjoy lang nila ’yun, hindi sila pipilitin,” Mr. C explained. “If you noticed, may group of children na hindi sila sanay in front of the crowd. ’Yung iba sanay sila kasi bago sila pumasok sa camp na-expose na sila ng mga magulang nila.” “Dahil ’yung mga magulang nila naniniwala sa program,” he added. “Na mas nabuksan ’yung isip nila (kids) dahil nakasama sila sa ganitong klaseng activity.” The maestro assessed the kids’ performance at the recital. “Parang ang tagal na nila nagpe-perform,” he lauded. “I want them to continue training if they can. At the same time, remember what they learned and become very good citizens of this country.”
Priceless moments
The talent camp was such a moving experience for the attendees. The parents beamed with pride and shed tears of joy seeing their kids, as the name of the camp puts it, shine. For Mr. C, the most unforgettable moment was to “see them enjoying and at the same perform so well.” He recalled some of the good times he had with the kids. “Para akong si Santa Claus, ‘Mr. C! Mr. C!’ Para akong mahal na mahal na lolo, kasi lahat sila lumalapit sa’kin,” Mr. C said, laughing. “Kahapon, nagulat ako kasi nagse-selfie ako sa kanila. Tapos may isang batang lumapit sabi niya, ‘I love you po.’” Awww, these kids’ pure and innocent love.
Valuing training
Mr. C is behind the renowned The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab where kids, teens and adults hone their talents.
“We never give scholarships in our school eh. What we do is we encourage them to look for sponsors,” Maestro said. “Kasi hindi naman mahal.”
“Training is not for free because if it’s free, medyo binabalewala na nila ’yun,” he explained. “When they have to pay for something, it is an important decision of their parents to come up with that kind of money. At least sila, mare-reinforce nila ’yung kanilang mga anak na, ‘Galingan mo, husayan mo.’”