Hindi na mawawala ang kanyang katakawan sa pagkain ang pabirong sagot ni Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, ang bagong hirang na National Artist, nang tanungin tungkol sa pakiramdam ng isang ginawaran ng pinakamataas na parangal para sa mga Pilipino na nagbigay ng malaking kontribusyon sa pag-unlad ng Philippine Arts.
Hindi pa nakakalimutan ni Maestro Ryan, na kilala rin sa tawag na Mr. C, ang araw na natanggap niya ang magandang balita.
Ito ang kanyang ibinahagi sa press launch ng album na collaboration nila ni Lea Salonga, ang Bahaghari, sa Makati Shangri-La, kahapon, December 5.
Kuwento niya, "They called me on Monday, which is October 23. I have a call from CCP.
"It was Lilian who said, 'Mr. C, you have to be in Malacañang on Wednesday.'
"'Why?'
"'This is about National Artist.'
"'What about?'
"'You’re National Artist!'
"Sabi ko, 'Noooo! Talaga?'
"Anyway, that was Monday, and then we have to be in Malacañang by Wednesday, two days later.'
"Sabi ko, 'Okay, sige, fine.'
"The effect? Wala masyadong effect. Hindi pa ako lutang.
"'Waah, National Artist!!!' Hindi, walang ganoon.
"But I think it’s the people around who are quite excited about it or the small people, like, the public na dati siguro nahihiya lumapit sa akin, pero a lot of them are brave enough to come to me and say, 'Congratulations, you’re Mr. National Artist.'"
Nanindigan si Mr. C na walang kakaibang epekto sa kanya ang tinanggap na parangal.
"Maybe later on, mararamdaman ko. May allowance, pero hindi pa siya napo-process.
"As a matter of fact, I was telling Celeste Legaspi, sabi niya, ‘Oy, congratulations Mr. C!'
"Sabi ko, I’m afraid, baka wala nang kumuha sa akin. Baka mawalan ako ng raket kasi I’m a commercial artist.
"Yun ang assumption ko, [baka] sabi nila, 'National Artist na 'yan, huwag na nating kunin. I mean, mahal na 'yan, baka hindi na natin ma-afford.'
"Afraid ako baka mawalan na ako ng trabaho, mawalan ng raket, e, importante sa akin yun.
"We have to keep on working and keep the economy going," nagpakatotoong pahayag ni Mr. C.