Two songs by Ateneo College and ASHS faculty Toma Cayabyab win Awit Awards
10 Nov 2023
Two songs by Antonio Maria "Toma" P Cayabyab, Ateneo de Manila University Senior High School and School of Humanities faculty, won awards in two categories at the 36th Awit Awards held on 9 November 2023. His composition “Just Because” was adjudged Best Jazz Recording, while “Pasko Sa Atin” was named Best Christmas Recording.
Both award-winning works were produced by Debonair District, which describes itself as “a unique jazz sextet that adapts various Filipino folk, kundiman, OPM music into jazz.” Aside from composing the group’s songs, Mr Cayabyab is also its lead vocalist and head.
The 36th Awit Awards were held on the evening of 9 November 2023, at the Baked Studios in Makati. During the event, more than 30 awards were given out for various music genres, not to mention recognitions for performances and technical achievements.
The son of National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, Toma Cayabyab graduated from Ateneo in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree. He then followed this up with a Bachelor of Music Major in Choral Conducting degree from the University of the Philippines.
He currently teaches Rudiments of Music, Filipino Film and Society, Basic Music Research and Criticism as part of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Humanities' Interdisciplinary Studies department; as well as Film Production for Grade 12 students at Ateneo Senior High School.