San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra

San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra
Company type	Non-profit performing arts ensemble
Industry	Music, Performing arts
Founded	2001
Defunct	2007
Fate	Dissolved by San Miguel Corporation
Area served	Philippines
Parent	San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025

The San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra (SMPO) was among the two principal performing arts ensembles managed by the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts, alongside the San Miguel Master Chorale. Renowned for its diverse musical selections, the SMPO sought to promote Filipino compositions through innovative orchestral arrangements.

Both the SMPO and the San Miguel Master Chorale were dissolved in late January 2007 by the San Miguel Corporation.

Disbandment

In January 2007, the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) discreetly terminated agreements with members of both the SMPO and SMMC, with numerous musicians reportedly not receiving severance compensation. Sources indicate that SMC redirected its resources to prioritize its four professional basketball franchises. The current position of Ryan Cayabyab, who served as Executive and artistic director of the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts, remains uncertain.

Great Filipino Love Songs

While the SMPO contributed to all SMFPA recordings, its debut independent album, Great Filipino Love Songs (GFLS), released in 2004, attained gold record certification and became a commercial success.

GFLS marked the first fully orchestrated local album featuring classic Filipino love songs, a project developed over three years.
It rapidly climbed to the top spot on sales charts, outperforming international acts such as Usher, Josh Groban, Maroon 5, Beyoncé, and Evanescence.
The album's popularity was boosted by large-volume purchases from families and corporate entities as a favored gift.
Remarkably, these sales figures were achieved with very limited promotional efforts.

Track List:

Bato sa Buhangin
Maalaala Mo Kaya
Ikaw
Minamahal Kita
Dahil Sa Iyo
Hindi Kita Malimot
Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig
Buhat
Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal
Ikaw ang Mahal Ko
Katakataka
Minamahal, Sinasamba
Saan Ka Man Naroroon
Lahat ng Araw

Great Original Pilipino Music

Composed and arranged entirely by Ryan Cayabyab, this album was predominantly recorded in 2001, except for tracks 5, 8, and 9—an a cappella piece performed by SMMC in 2004. It received three nominations at the 18th Awit Awards and won Best Musical Arrangement for Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka. The album also achieved Gold Record status.

Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka (recipient of Best Musical Arrangement at 18th Awit Awards)
Iduyan Mo
Kahit Ika'y Panaginip Lang
Paraisong Parisukat
Tunay na Ligaya
Nais Ko
Limandipang Tao
Tsismis
Da Coconut Nut
Iniibig Kita
Paraiso
Awit ng Pagsinta (Epithalamium) – from Ryan Cayabyab and Bienvenido Lumbera's pop-ballet Rama Hari; lyrics by Lumbera
Hibang sa Awit – lyrics by Jose Javier Reyes

Pasko I

This collection features traditional Filipino Christmas songs arranged and conducted by Ryan Cayabyab, performed by both SMPO and SMMC. It earned a Gold Record certification.

Kampana ng Simbahan
Heto na Naman – music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab
Namamasko
Tuloy na Tuloy pa rin ang Pasko
Sa Paskong Darating
Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit)
Kumukutikutitap
Mano Po Ninong, Mano Po Ninang
Noche Buena
Heto na Naman ang Pasko**
Maligayang Pasko**
Pasko na Naman

* sourced from Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes's musical Bituin; lyrics by Reyes  
** derived from Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes's teleplay Pasko sa Amin; lyrics by Reyes

Pasko II

This album presents gentle Filipino Christmas favorites, arranged and conducted by Ryan Cayabyab, performed by the SMPO and SMMC. It achieved a Certified Gold Record status. The track Isang Taong Lumipas received the Best Christmas Song award at the 19th Awit Awards.

Ngayong Pasko*
Pasko Na Sinta Ko*
Paskong Walang Hanggan*
Himig Pasko*
Miss Kita Kung Christmas*
Isang Taong Lumipas*
Ang Aking Pamasko*
Ang Mahalin Ka**
Anong Gagawin Mo Ngayong Pasko* – music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab
Ang Naaalala Ko**
Munting Sanggol* – music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab
Payapang Daigdig*

* Composed by Ryan Cayabyab with lyrics by Jose Javier Reyes  
** Originating from the teleplay Pasko sa Amin by Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes; lyrics authored by Reyes

Spoliarium: The Opera

A three-act neo-opera centered on the life of Filipino painter Juan Luna, featuring a musical score by Ryan Cayabyab and a libretto penned by Fides Cuyugan-Asensio.

The Filipino Classics

This compilation showcases Filipino timeless pieces from the 1920s through the 1960s, arranged and led by Ryan Cayabyab, with vocals by Basil Valdez accompanied by the SMPO. The album swiftly climbed to No. 1 at Tower Records within its first month, with plans for follow-up releases depending on market reception.

Diyos Lamang ang Nakakaalam*
Babalik Ka Rin*
Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak*
Bituing Marikit*
Kung Nagsasayaw Kita*
Madaling Araw*
Sa Ugoy ng Duyan*
Bakas ng Lumipas*
Sapagka't Kami ay Tao Lamang*
Lagi Kitang Naaalala*
Bayan Ko*
Mahiwaga*

The Sacred Works of Ryan Cayabyab

Ryan Cayabyab’s sacred music compositions include Misa, which served as his thesis at the University of the Philippines College of Music, alongside Misa 2000, awarded Original Music Composition for Dance at the 2000 Onassis International Cultural Competition held in Greece. Additionally, Misa 2000 won Best Religious Album at the 2004 Catholic Mass Media Awards.

Disc 1:

Misa 2000*
- Kyrie**
- Gloria**
- Credo**
- Sanctus**
- Agnus Dei**
Te Deum*

Disc 2:

Misa*
- Kyrie**
- Gloria**
- Credo**
- Sanctus**
- Agnus Dei**
Aquesta Me Guiaba*
Aba Po, Santa Mariang Reyna*
Anima Christi*

Beauty and the Beast

This recording features selections from the Philippine staging of Beauty and the Beast, arranged and conducted by Ryan Cayabyab, performed by the principal cast alongside the SMPO and SMMC.

"Home" (performed by KC Concepcion)*
"Beauty and the Beast" (show version by Pinky Marquez)*
"A Change in Me" (KC Concepcion)*
"If I Can't Love Her" (Jett Pangan)*
"Beauty and the Beast" (pop rendition by Luke Mijares)*

Great Original Pilipino Music from the Movies

A live-recorded anthology of memorable Filipino film theme songs spanning from 1977 to 2002, captured in July 2006 and released in December of that year. The collection primarily features performances by the SMMC with accompaniment from the SMPO, with choral arrangements crafted by Ryan Cayabyab and collaborators, while all orchestral arrangements were composed by Cayabyab himself.

Selected tracks include:

Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas*
Kahit Isang Saglit*
Pangako*
Pangarap Na Bituin*
"Iduyan Mo"* – composed by Cayabyab for the film "Agila" (1980)
"Paraisong Parisukat"* – composed by Cayabyab for "Masikip, Maluwang...Paraisong Parisukat" (1977)

Dancing in the Rain

This album highlights Ryan Cayabyab’s prowess as a pianist, presenting live performances recorded with SMPO & SMMC in August 2006 and released in December of the same year. Every piece on the album was composed, arranged, and produced by Cayabyab himself.

Featured selections:
First Glance
Feels Like This Love Affair Is Gonna Last Forever
Frap For Two On A Beach In Cebu
Like Children Dancing In The Rain With Nothing On
Last Trip To Boracay
Letting Go

Future albums

Planned releases include:

A compilation showcasing well-known Filipino folk songs from different regions, including titles such as "Atin Cu Pung Singsing," "Usahay," "Ay, Kalisud," and "Sarungbanggi."
A symphonic album featuring novelty tunes like "Ocho-ocho," "Pito-pito," with "Boom Tarat-Tarat" as a possible addition.

References