Ryan Cayabyab, Noel Cabangon tell writers, artists facing creative blocks it’s OK to pause

Ryan Cayabyab and Noel Cabangon have told writers and artists who continue to face “writer’s block” that it’s okay to take a pause.

During the Philippine Popular Music (PhilPop) Songwriting Festival’s online conference on Thursday, Ryan said, “What I do is I stop what I’m doing. You don’t force yourself to continue writing kung wala talaga lalabas.”

Despite his training and discipline, Ryan shared that having a writer’s block could be inevitable for anyone in the creative field.

“Kapag ka tumigil ’yung tap, hayaan mo na muna siya. Mag-igib ka muna ng bagong tubig bago mo siya pagbuksan,” he said.

He said it’s good to do things not related to writing or singing.

“Usually lalabas ako sa bahay nagdri-drive ako bigla boom! Pumasok!” Ryan shared. “Kaya minsan swerte na rin telepono natin meron siyang recorder, pwede mong sabihin ’yung pwedeng pumasok sa isip mo o kantahin ’yung biglang pumasok.”

“Ilang beses na nangyari sakin. Minsan nasa labas ako nagmamadali ako umuwi. Ramdam ko talagang punong-puno na ’yung igib ko.”

Noel also shared that it’s best to just take a pause instead of forcing yourself to produce something.

“Sa experience ko rin I shelf it first and balikan mo na lang,” Noel said. “Somehow, somewhere bigla nalang mag-a-appear na idea and then you go back to it.”

Apart from being well-known songwriters and musicians, Ryan and Noel are also representatives from the Philpop Musicfest Foundation.

This year, PhilPop is holding a national songwriting competition. Deadline for the song submission will be this July 4 and the grand winner will take home a P1 million prize.

For more information, visit philpopmusic.com.ph. – RC, GMA News