What Excites Mitch Valdes Most About Joining Ryan Cayabyab and APO Hiking Society for ‘naRYAN nAPO Kami’

To kick off the Christmas season—or perhaps serve as an early celebration before the festivities officially begin—the Proscenium Theater is set to host the fourth installment of Ryan Cayabyab’s MaestroClass Concert Series, titled “naRYAN nAPO Kami.”

The upcoming concert will bring Mr. C back together with his longtime friends, the APO Hiking Society and Mitch Valdes, for a musical reunion that celebrates their enduring friendships and shared history in the industry.

For Mitch, receiving the invitation to be part of the concert was an easy decision. In fact, she had already said “Yes” even before the question was finished, with no hesitation whatsoever.

Having been friends with Mr. C since the late 1960s, Mitch was no stranger to his concert productions. In fact, when she first heard about the MaestroClass Concert Series, she couldn’t help but wonder why she had yet to be invited to take part. So when the opportunity finally came, accepting the invitation was an easy decision.

In an exclusive conversation with METRO, the legendary singer-actress opened up about what makes her especially excited to reunite with Mr. C and the APO Hiking Society for the upcoming installment of the MaestroClass Concert Series, “naRYAN nAPO Kami.”

At the interview, Mitch Valdes had the opportunity to look back on her relationship with Mr. C, which, as expected, began with an unexpected introduction.

At the time, Mitch had run away from home and found herself staying at Laurel’s residence for a year. It was during this period that she became close friends with Cocoy Laurel, a Filipino singer and actor, who eventually introduced her to the celebrated musician.

“I worked in Doy Laurel’s office, and Cocoy said, “You know, you should meet this great, great pianist and singer, and he composes and everything.” So I said, “Yeah, sure,” Mitch revealed, recalling how Cocoy introduced her to Mr. C.

Mitch was immediately delighted to meet him, although she knew him simply as “Ryan” back then, long before he became known as Mr. C. Even at the time, however, his musical brilliance was already evident.

“So we went there, and automatically, he will play you a tune. I don’t know what’s in the genes of Ryan that immediately, his icebreaker is he will go to the piano and start playing familiar tunes that… parang he reads your mind on what kind of songs and music you prefer,” Mitch recalled, describing how their friendship began through music.

As she reminisced about some of her fondest memories with Mr. C, Mitch also shared how much he supported her during their last major collaboration, the musical “Katy! the Musical” in 1988.

“You would think that he is already the Ryan Cayabyab, but when we worked in Katy!, I had an insecurity. I had difficulty harmonizing, or I didn’t like to sing second voice. But in Katy, because Celeste was the melody, I had to sing the counter-alto voice,” she recalled.

Recognizing her difficulty, Mitch approached Mr. C and explained what she needed to deliver her part more effectively.

“Ry, I’m sorry. If you want me to deliver on time, there should be a better way to teach me instead of just piano rehearsal.”

Rather than relying solely on rehearsals, Mr. C took a more practical approach by recording the parts for her. All Mitch had to do was listen to the recordings he had prepared, allowing her to familiarize herself with the music at her own pace.

This experience helped shape how Mitch viewed Mr. C not only as a musician but also as a collaborator. Beyond his professionalism, she described him as a nurturer who makes the people he works with feel supported and secure.

“He nurtures performers and artists. You feel safe with him. You know that he will look out for you. You know that he has your back,” Mitch said.

The same sense of trust and camaraderie, she shared, extends to her experiences performing with the APO Hiking Society. Having worked alongside the group, Mitch knows she can count on them whenever they share the stage. She also appreciates their professionalism, from arriving on time to being thoroughly familiar with their material.

“They’re super talented. I would like to think that [because of] talent, we kind of bond together. Wala pa kaming kaibigan na hindi talented, or it’s, ika nga nila, osmotical,” Mitch said with a laugh.

On a more serious note, Mitch explained that performing with seasoned artists like Mr. C and the APO Hiking Society creates an environment where everyone can bring out the best in one another. The trust they share allows them to experiment, explore their abilities, and even discover strengths they may not have recognized in themselves.

“With the APO and Ryan, we all allow each other to open up and explore, because nga, the trust is there. If you make a mistake, you will see it. ‘Hindi maganda! Ah, hindi ba maganda?’ Oo, kasi ba’t mo naman lolokohin ‘yung colleague mo na, ‘Uy, galing!’” she explained.

With such meaningful relationships and shared experiences behind them, it is no surprise that Mitch is looking forward to performing alongside Mr. C and the APO Hiking Society once again. 

Stepping into the Proscenium Theater for the first time, Mitch was immediately struck by the standard of professionalism on display. From state-of-the-art facilities to thoughtful layout design, every detail felt intentionally crafted to support both the performers and the audience.

“Oh my goodness. Well, obviously, it’s very professional,” Mitch shared. “Everything is there, everything that an artist will need. They have taken into consideration support for the performer, and they have taken into consideration also that the audience will be comfortable.”

Beyond the stage itself, the warm hospitality of the Rockwell staff made a lasting impression. From the moment she arrived, she felt guided and cared for every step of the way.

“The staff of Rockwell, para akong diplomat,” she recalled with a chuckle. “They met me at the escalator, and in every corner, there is a staff member to guide you on where to go, what to do. So, it’s what I’ve been dreaming of regarding a well-oiled machine.”

For a veteran artist who has spent five decades in the industry, working in an environment that values high operational standards and mutual respect makes all the difference.

“I’m talking about how much performers appreciate a well-oiled machine because sometimes we experience the ‘p’wede na‘ and, you know, the bara-bara kind of work ethics,” Mitch explained.

She then added, “And the reason why we’re still here 50 years later is that I think a big part of it is the work ethic. So, when we accept a project, it’s full 100%, we give everything to it, plus, of course, a little talent.”

While “naRYAN nAPO Kami” may not necessarily be a Christmas concert, audiences can still expect an evening that feels like a reunion with old friends, family, and familiar faces who have been part of their lives through music.

For Mitch, who grew up celebrating Christmas in Japan, attending the fourth installment of Mr. C’s MaestroClass Concert Series is an ideal way to welcome the holiday season. After all, she believes that the heart of the show lies in what they do best: entertaining audiences and giving them a memorable experience.

“So when the audience comes, and they trust us with their time, all of us are still very grateful that the audience keeps on coming to our shows and our projects, that they trust us to spend this holiday season with them, then for me, that’s the best thing already,” she said.

Ultimately, the combination of Mr. C, a National Artist for Music, the APO Hiking Society and their timeless musical repertoire, and Mitch Valdes makes “‘naRYAN nAPO Kami” a concert worth looking forward to.

With Mitch’s impressive credentials as a singer and actress, alongside her natural comedic timing, audiences can also look forward to plenty of laughter throughout the show. More than a musical reunion, it promises an entertaining evening filled with music, humor, and the warmth of familiar friendships.

Photo courtesy of Proscenium Theater