By NOEL D. FERRER

FOOD and music got them together.
During his first year of teaching at UP College of Music, Sir Cipriano “Ryan” Caybayab met Emelina “Emmy” Punsalan, then a graduating student. Their encounters often revolved around shared meals, with Emmy generously sharing her lunch and Ryan relishing her packed meals. Soon, Ryan straightforwardly proposed to Emmy, devoid of modern-day fanfare or elaborate gestures, believing that their deep understanding and comfort with each other would naturally lead to matrimony.
In 1985, at the ages of 31 and 24, respectively, Ryan and Emmy exchanged vows, becoming our beloved Mr. and Mrs. C!
Mr. and Mrs. C share the significant songs that can very well describe their love story:
“Tunay na Ligaya” – The song that Ryan wrote for Emmy’s last birthday before we they got married.
“Araw Gabi” – The second of two songs that he wrote for her, for her 24th birthday. (Songs 1 and 2 were made to 45 vinyl giveaways during their wedding.)
“Awit ng Pagsinta” (From “Rama Hari”)- This was their wedding song.
“Fallin’” (from “They’re Playing Our Song”) – This song they always sing as a duet.
“It Might Frighten Her (Him) Away” (From “Lost Horizon”)- Another song they sing when “push comes to shove” at certain parties.
“Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka” – During high school, Emmy adored Basil Valdez’s music, saving her allowance for his LPs. “Tuwing Umuulan…” struck a chord with its romantic blend of lyrics and melody, and she was enamored by Ryan Cayabyab’s arrangements.
Little did she know, years later, she would marry Cayabyab himself.
“Liman-dipang Tao” – Emmy was in first year college when she taught this song to a female high school glee club for a contest. “We won second place only to find out that this particular chairman of the board of judges – Ryan Cayabyab – overturned the panel’s decision,” she recalled.
“All the Things You Are” – Emmy, one of Ryan’s college students, was captivated by his piano arrangement demonstration in their Choral Arranging class. She felt as if he was singing solely to her, igniting her inspiration for assignments.
Celebrating their 39 years of being together as a married couple this coming December, Mr. and Mrs. C outlines why their partnership works.
He said:
1. Preservation of the marriage is an unwritten rule, so we have developed tolerance, patience, understanding, and acceptance as crucial character traits.
2. We enjoy doing most, if not all, activities together.
3. We have the freedom to schedule personal activities outside of work and planned events, including school reunions, barkada meet ups, and meals with both new and old friends.
4. We allow ourselves a lot of “me” time for quiet evenings, after praying the rosary, of course.
5. We do not allow disagreements, or varying opinions which are most natural for couples, to reach argumentation level by not being very emotional as much as we possibly can.
6. Mrs. C has the final say, and accepting this fact makes life easier for me.
She said:
1. Both of us are musicians, and we understand (especially me) the work that goes into it.
2. One of us has to make more sacrifices than the other, I think… Sino kaya sa aming dalawa ang may more…? Hehe!
3. We are both foodies.
4. When the going gets tough, it does not mean that ‘yon na – that one gets out of the coop – tiis!
5. We are familiar with each other’s circle of friends, and we also share the same circle of friends. Most importantly, we have the same values.
As their children, Krina and Toma, embark on their own journeys, we asked Mr. and Mrs. C what they still hope to do together.
For him: plan future travels together, look for great food discoveries together, continue running their small music school in the best way, keep working to provide for her needs and their own, and of course, keep making music together and share lots of laughter!
For her: travel with him, buy him pajamas and classy shirts, venture into passive business with him, cook with him, and dine at gotohan or pares restaurants – something she has wanted to do since early in their married life.
Transitioning from full-time parenting to empty nesting may seem unsettling, but for the Cs, life remains abundantly fulfilling. With their shared love for food and music, cherished friends and family, and hearty laughs, the best is yet to come for National Artist for Music Ryan and his darling Emmy.