Ryan Cayabyab and Lea Salonga (Photo courtesy of SEA Games 2019 Facebook page)
MANILA -- The official soundtrack of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games was formally released on Tuesday with no less than Lea Salonga performing it live in front of the media at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.
"I love the song," Salonga, well known for her Broadway musical performances, said about "We Win As One", a composition by Ryan Cayabyab and lyrics penned by Floy Quintos.
Salonga added, "It's not just two wonderful, renowned, multi-awarded artists that did it. It's also two friends that did it."
The song is based on the motto of this year's SEA Games, which also happens to be "We win as one".
"Nasa words 'yun eh (It's in the words). Yes, we compete, but what we win, lahat tayo panalo (we all win)," Cayabyab said.
Cayabyab then bared how they recorded the song, including how he had to restructure it when Salonga officially came along.
"I wrote it first for the finale of the opening ceremonies. It was for 11 singers. We did one huge reformatting or changing of the draft to fit this part for Lea," Cayabyab said.
He then lauded Salonga for pulling it off in just one try.
"I have worked with Lea before and she always comes prepared. She always takes good care of her vocal instrument, so it is always in tip-top shape," Cayabyab added.
The music video of the song, which was filmed at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, was also revealed during the press launch.
Shem Hampac called the shots during the music video shoot, while Equinox Manila produced the video. (PNA)
