Vatican awards Cayabyab highest medal for laity

Renowned Filipino composer Ryan Cayabyab has received the highest medal the Papacy gives to the laity, the Papal Award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.

The award was given for Cayabyab’s contributions to the church through relevant musical compositions, including his numerous choral pieces, six congregational masses, two Latin masses, sacred songs, psalms, and musicals with religious themes, among them “The Magnificat,” “Ang Birhen ng Caysasay” and “Lorenzo.”