CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE MUSIC

 According to National Artist Ramon Santos, PhD, “contemporary music in the

Philippines refers to compositions that have adopted ideas and elements from 20th
century art music in the west, as well as the latest trends and musical styles in the
entertainment industry.”
 The modern Filipino repertoire consists of musical pieces that have been written in 20th
century idioms that have evolved out of such stylistic movements as impressionism,
expressionism, neo-classicism, as well as avant garde and new music.
 New music are compositions which are improvisational works such as the early
compositions of Dr. Ramon Santos, Radyasyon and Quadrasyon; Josefino “Chino”
Toledo’s Samut-Sari, Pintigan and Terminal Lamentations, and Jonathan Baes’ Wala
And Banwa.
20th CENTURY TRADITIONAL COMPOSERS
-With Spain and then America having colonized the Philippines from the early 1500s
to the late 1800s, it was unavoidable that Western compositional techniques found
their way into the works of Filipino composers.
-Among the major Philippine contemporary composers are Francisco Buencamino Sr.,
Francisco Santiago, Nicanor Abelardo, Antonio Molina, Hilarion Rubio, Col.
Antonino Buenaventura, Rodolfo Cornejo, Lucio San Pedro, Rosendo Santos Jr.,
Alfredo Buenaventura, and Ryan Cayabyab.

Francisco Beltran Buencamino Sr.

was born on November 5, 1883 in Bulacan. He was the son of a musically

inclined couple. His father was Fortunato Buencamino, a church organist
and band master. His mother was Luisa Beltran, a noted singer. He studied
music composition and harmony at Liceo de Manila. Unfortunately, he was
not able to finish.

He taught at the Ateneo de Manila, and at Centro Escolar de

Señoritas whose Conservatory of Music he founded. He also
created the Buencamino Music Academy in 1930 where
Nicanor Abelardo was one of his students. Expanding his
career, he ventured into musical directing and scoring, and composing film
music for Sampaguita Pictures, LVN, and Excelsior.

Buencamino’s compositions include Harana, Pandanggo ni Neneng,

Collar de Sampaguita, Dulces las Horas, Mayon (Fantasia de Concierto),
My Soul’s Lament, Larawan, Mazurka, Boholana, Mi Bandera, Princesa
ng Kumintang, Maligayang Bati, Ang Bukang Liwayway, Pandanggo ni
Neneng, Ang Bagong Balitaw, Himig ng Nayon, Damdamin (Romance),
and Pizzicato Caprice.
Many of his piano works have become a staple part of the Philippine
repertoire of today’s young students, especiallyMayon, Larawan, and Maligayang Bati. He also wrote several
zarzuelas and kundimans. He passed away on October 16, 1952 after which a posthumous award honored him
with the title “Outstanding Composer.”
Francisco Santiago (1889 – 1947)
is known as the “Father of the Kundiman” and belongs to the
“Triumvirate of Filipino Composers.” He finished his music specialization
at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, where he obtained his
Doctorate Degree in 1924.

Among his famous works are Pakiusap, Madaling Araw, Sakali Man,
Hibik ng Pilipinas, Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran, and Kundiman (Anak
Dalita). This piece was sung before the Royal Court of Spain upon the
request of King Alfonso II. He was also a musical director for films.
Among the films whose music he supervised are Kundiman, Leron
Leron Sinta, Madaling Araw, Manileña, and the movie inspired by his own
composition Pakiusap. He became the first Filipino Director of the UP
Conservatory of Music.

Nicanor Abelardo (1893 – 1934)

is one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers” which includes
Antonio Molina and Francisco Santiago. He studied music at the Chicago
Music College and was influenced by the musical styles of Schoenberg,
Hindemith and Stravinsky.

Abelardo developed a style that combined European romanticism

with chromaticism. His compositions contain hazy tones,
dissonance and unusual chordal combinations found in such
works as Cinderella Overture, Panoramas, and a violin sonata.
Although a 20th century modern composer in style, he is also
considered a composer in the Romantic style. His best-known
compositions include Mutya ng Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog, Cavatina for
Violoncello, and Magbalik Ka Hirang.

Antonio Molina (1894 – 1980)

, the first National Artist for Music, is considered one of the “Triumvirate
of Filipino Composers” which includes Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco
Santiago. He began his music career as an orchestral soloist at the Manila
Grand Opera House.

He is best known for his poignantly romantic serenade for violin and
piano Hatinggabi. Subsequent transcriptions of this piece were written for
the cello, flute, piano, and guitar. Other works by Molina include
orchestral music -Misa Antoniana Grand Festival Mass, Ang Batingaw,
Kundiman-Kundangan; chamber music - String Quartet, Kung sa Iyong
Gunita, Pandangguhan; and vocal music - Amihan, Awit ni Maria Clara,
and Larawan Nitong Pilipinas. He received the National Artist for Music
award in 1973. He passed away on January 29, 1980.
Hilarion Rubio (1902 – 1985)
was born on October 21, 1902 in Bacoor, Cavite. A composer, music
teacher, conductor, and clarinetist, he created substantial works for the orchestra. He
served as conductor for opera, ballet, dance recitals, and movie music.

His early interest in music came from the influence of his uncle who was then playing
with the Bacoor Band. His first music lessons in music theory and clarinet were with Fr.
Amando Buencamino who taught himsolfeggio and some musical instruments. When he
was eight years old, he was accepted as a member of the Bacoor Band as a clarinetist. At
that time, he made his first composition Unang Katas for his concert with the band.In his
high school years at the North High School (now Arellano High School), Rubio became
a member of several orchestras. He performed with various movie house bands and
orchestras. He was also a member of the Lyric Theater Orchestra, Trozo Band in Benavides
Street, and the Band Moderna in Tondo. After he graduated from high school in 1930,
he co-founded the Anak Zapote Band. He later became a bandleader and conductor of
the ROTC Band of the Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines (UP) and
played the violin and timpani with the UP Junior Symphony Orchestra.

Rubio’s compositions include: Bulaklaken, Theme and Variations for Band, Dance of
the Nymphs Rondo, Florente at Laura (overture), Halik, Danza, Unang Katas, Twopart
Invention (piano), Ang Konsyerto (ballet), Ang Magsasaka, Bukang Liwayway,
Concertino in C (marimba and piano), Filipinas Kong Mahal, Hatulan Mo Ako,
Ginintuang Araw, In a Tropical Sea, Light, Narra, Mutya ng Silangan, To the Filipino
Youth, Nela, National Heroes Day Hymn, and Salamisim. He passed away on December
28, 1985
.

Col. Antonino Ramirez Buenaventura (1904 – 1996)

was a renowned composer, conductor, and teacher. His father Lucio was
the chief musician of the Spanish artillery band in Intramuros and
founder of Banda Buenaventura. As a young boy, he had already
demonstrated a passion for music while learning the rudiments of music
and solfeggio and becoming a proficient clarinet player.

Buenaventura was a faculty member of the UP Conservatory of Music.

Later, he became the music director of the Conservatory of Music,
University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 1961. After retiring from the
military, he became the music director at the School of Music and Arts,
University of the East (UE) in 1964. He promoted Philippine music
through his extensive use of folk materials which he had recorded around
the country with Ramon Tolentino and National Artist for Dance
Francisca Reyes Aquino. Buenaventura composed the music and folk
dance notations for the dance researches of Aquino. As a multi-awarded
musician, he composed Minuet, Mindanao Sketches, Divertimento for
Piano and Orchestra, Variations and Fugue, and Greetings based on
Philippine folk music. Pandanggo sa Ilaw, one of his most popular
compositions, remains a favorite performance repertoire of many folk
dance companies. He was declared National Artist for Music in 1988 and
passed away in 1996.
RODOLFO S. CORNEJO (1909 – 1991)

was born on May 15, 1909 in Singalong, Manila. Inspired by his

mother’s genuine support, the young Cornejo started formal music
lessons at the age of six. He performed on stage after only two years of
music studies. During this time, he was also invited as organist of the
Pasay Catholic
Church. His first composition at age 10 was a piano piece entitled
Glissando Waltz. It was followed three years later by a military march
entitled Salute. At the age of 14, 26 of Cornejo’s compositions were
already listed by the United Publishing Company Inc.

Cornejo was also known for his extemporaneous thematic

improvisations based on the letters of people’s names. His
compositional output includes A la Juventud Filipina, Bailes de Ayer,
Caprice on a Folksong, Cello Sonata, Ibong Adarna, Kandingan,
Malakas at Maganda, Overture, Okaka, Oriental Fantasy, Ibong
Adarna, Piano Concerto Nos. 1,2,3, Ruby, and Song of the Miners. He
passed away on August 11, 1991.

Felipe Padilla de Leon (1912 – 1992)

was born on May 1, 1912 in Barrio Papaya (now General Tinio) in
Penaranda, Nueva Ecija. He is the son of Juan de Leon and Natalia
Padilla. Felipe de Leon married pianist Iluminada Mendoza with whom
he had six children. Bayani and Felipe Jr., are two of his children.
Bayani is a well-known composer, and Felipe Jr. is a writer and the
chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

De Leon wrote piano compositions, hymns, marches, art songs,

chamber music, symphonic poems, overtures, band muic, school songs,
orchestral works, operas, kundiman, and zarzuelas. He was known as a
nationalist composer who expressed the Philippines' cultural identity
through his compositions. Two operas which are considered his
masterpieces are the Noli Me Tangere (1957) and El Filibusterismo
(1970). These two operas have been staged in the Philippines and
abroad. He also wrote a march during the Japanese
regime entitled Tindig, Aking Inang Bayan, and another march Bagong
Lipunan during the martial law. He wrote the popular Christmas carols
Payapang Daigdig (1946), Noche Buena, and Pasko Na Naman, both in
1965. Felipe de Leon received a posthumous award as National Artist
for Music in 1997. He died on December 5, 1992.

Lucio San Pedro (1913 – 2002)was born on February 11,

1913 inAngono, Rizal. Since his elementary days, he started composing.
He studied the banjo which inspired him to become a serious
musician.He later pursued his music degree at theUniversity
of the Philippines and the Juilliard School in New York, USA.
Upon returning to the Philippines, he became a professor of
theory and composition at the University of the Philippines’
College of Music. San Pedro is known as a “romantic nationalist.”

His orchestral compositions are best represented by the Suite Pastorale

(1956), a poetic aural description of his hometown Angono, and his
nationalistic symphonic poem Lahing Kayumanggi (1962). Other
compositions include songs, pieces for violin, cello, and chorus.
His works for the symphonic band was where he was most prolific and productive both as composer and
conductor. His musical prowess was internationally recognized when he was invited to be a judge at the
prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1980. He was declared National Artist for Music in
1991 and passed away on March 31, 2002.

ROSENDO E. SANTOS JR. (1922 – 1994)

was born on September 3, 1922 in

Cavite City. At age 11, he started composing band marches,
instrumental, and vocal scores, as well as music for Catholic
masses.

A prolific composer, he had composed several piano concerti, sonatas,

symphonies, symphonic poems, five operas in Filipino, numerous band
overtures, and more than 200 marches. He had also written 50 masses in
Latin and 20 in English. He has more than 1,000 musical compositions
in the library of the University of the Philippines. Santos’ last musical
work and only ballet composition, Melinda’s Masquerade, was
performed in 1995, a year after his death. Santos passed away on
November 4, 1994 in Swoyersville,
Pennsylvania, USA.

Dr. Alfredo Santos Buenaventura,

composer, conductor and teacher, was born in Sta. Maria, Bulacan on

October 14, 1929.
He grew up in a musical environment and became a band member in his
hometown at a young age. He was drawn by his fascination with
trumpets and trombones and became one of its arrangers and conductors.
He was one of twenty boy sopranos of Tiples at Sto. Domingo Church
from where he received his first significant musical training. At that
time, he also wrote his first composition, Danza.

Buenaventura’s compositional style rests mainly on his own set of

musical ideas, wherein he creates a combination of contemporary and
conventional materials. He keeps his melodies simple and
understandable but with contemporary harmonies that enhance their
complexity. He became an official organist of the Manila Cathedral in
1960. He became the Dean of the College of Music, Centro Escolar
University. He is a member of the League of Filipino Composers. He
received a number of awards in the music industry. He was twice an
awardee of the Republic Cultural Heritage Award and the The
Outstanding Filipino Award (TOFIL) for Music in 1995.

Ryan Cayabyab is a popular contemporary composer who

also has classical compositions to his credit, such as Misa,
Four Poems for Soprano and Piano, and Te Deum. His
compositional style makes much use of syncopation, extended
chords, and chromatic harmony.

Among his numerous compositions are the award-winning

Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika (1978), as well as the modern
zarzuela Alikabok (2003), the opera Spoliarium with libretto
by Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, and a variety of choral pieces and
song cycles. He also produced a number of recordings,
including the memorable albumOne, where he personally sang the unaccompanied songs
on different tracks to produce 16 voices.

NEW MUSIC COMPOSERS

 Composers of experimental New Music in the Philippines include Jose Maceda,
Lucrecia Kasilag, Ramon Santos,Manuel Maramba, Jerry Dadap, Francisco
Feliciano, Josefino “Chino” Toledo, and Jonas Baes. They retained the Filipino spirit
by incorporating traditional music forms as well as indigenous rhythms and instruments
in their compositions.

Jose Maceda (1917 – 2004)

was born in Manila on January 17, 1917. He started his music studies
at the Academy of Music in Manila. Later, he went to Paris to study
with Alfred Cortot. He eventually pursued advanced studies in the
USAwith E. Robert Schmitz and earned a Doctorate Degree in
Ethnomusicology from UCLA.

Considered as the first Filipino avant garde composer, he also worked

at a recording studio in Paris in 1958 which specialized in musique
concrète. During this period, he met Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz
Stockhausen, and Iannis Xenakis, considered the musical giants of this
musical genre.Maceda served as Professor of Piano and Musicology at
the College of Music, University of the Philippines from 1952 to 1990.
He was appointed Executive Director of its Center for
Ethnomusicology in 1997. In the same year, he was conferred the
honor of National Artist for Music. He passed away in Manila on May
5, 2004.

Lucrecia R. Kasilag (1918 – 2008)

was born in San Fernando, La Union on August 31, 1918. She
went to Manila to
pursue a degree in Music at the Philippine Women’s University.
She then obtained herMaster’s degree from the Eastman School of
Music in New York, USA.

Among Kasilag’s many compositions are Toccata for Percussion

and Winds (1959), composed for indigenous Muslim instruments
and Western instruments; The Legend of the Sarimanok (1963),
composed for chamber orchestra and Philippine ethnic
instruments; Divertissement and Concertante (1960), compositions
for piano and orchestra combining Western and Eastern forms,
harmonies, and intervals; and Dularawan (1969), a musical drama
combining a dance solo with a chorus and an ethnic orchestra. Her
other works include compositions for piano, instrumental
ensemble, and chorus.
Ramon P. Santos
was born in Pasig on February 25, 941. He completed his Bachelor of
Music degree at the College of Music, University of the Philippines.
He finished his Master of Music degree at Indiana
University, USA. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in
Composition at the State University of New York, USA. He had also
pursued graduate studies in Ethnomusicology at theUniversity
of Illinois, USA.

Fr. Manuel Perez Maramba, OSB

is one of the most
accomplished musicians and liturgists in the Philippines emerging
during the second half of the 20th century. He was born on July
4, 1936 in Pangasinan.

He has composed operas like Aba!, Sto. Nino, La Naval, and Lord
Takayama Ukon. His other major compositions are the music for
Awakening which was commissioned by Ballet Philippines and
music for Philippine Ballet Theater’s production of Seven
Mansions; three masses – Papal Mass for World Youth Day, 1995;
Mass in Honor of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, and the Mass in Honor of the
Sto. Nino; three cantatas – St. Lorenzo Ruiz, St. Benedict, and St.
Scholastica; Three Psalms; A hymn in honor of St. Lorenzo Ruiz,
and the official hymn of the 1996 National Eucharistic Congress; a
zarzuela entitled Ang Sarswela sa San Salvador, and three
orchestral works – Pugad Lawin, The Virgin of Naval, and
Transfiguration.

Jerry Dadap,
the first Filipino composer to conduct his own works at the Carnegie
Recital Hall in New York City, was born on November 5, 1935 in
Hinunangan, Southern Leyte. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music,
major in Composition at the Conservatory of Music, University of the
Philippines (UP) in 1964.

Dadap started composing when he was still studying at Silliman

University in the southern city of Dumaguete. Among his numerous
compositions are The Passionate and the Wild (1960), Mangamuyo I
(1976) and Mangamuyo II (1977), The Redemption (1974), Five Little
Fingers (1975), Tubig ng Buhay (1986), Dakilang Pagpapatawad (1986),
Andres Bonifacio, Ang Dakilang Anak Pawis, Ang Pag-ibig ng Diyos,
Balitaw Nos. 1-7, Lamang Epic, Lorenzo Ruiz, Chorale Symphonic Ode
Nos. 1 and 2, Aniway at Tomaneg, Song Cycle, Nos. 1-4, Choral Cycle
Nos. 1-3, and Diyos Ama ay Purihin. His major works as composer-
conductor were performed at the concert “LAHI” that featured works by
local major composers.
Francisco F. Feliciano (1942 – 2014),

avant garde composer and conductor for band and chorus, was born on
February 19, 1942 in Morong, Rizal. His first exposure to music was
with the Morriz Band, a brass ensemble established and owned by his
father, Maximiano Feliciano. He started his music career in
the high school band where he had played the cymbals and the
clarinet.

Feliciano composed hundreds of liturgical pieces, mass settings, hymns,

and songs for worship. He founded the Asian Institute for Liturgy and
Music (AILM) in Quezon City, a school for church musicians, and
supervised the publication of a new Asian hymnal
containing mostly works of Asian composers. He was conferred the title
of National Artist for Music in 2014. He died on September 19, 2014.

Josefino “Chino”

recognized figure in the Asian

contemporary art music scene. He received his Master of Music
degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, USA. Among his
awards are the following: “Ten Outstanding Young Men” (TOYM);
“International Award for the Arts”; “Civitella Ranieri Fellowship in Italy”;
and the “Chancellor Awards for Outstanding Musical Works,” University of
the Philippines.

Toledo is a Music Professor at the College of Music, University of the

Philippines (UP). He is the founding music director of the Metro Manila
Community Orchestra, the UP Festival Orchestra, and the Crosswave
Symphony Orchestra. He is noted for conducting the premiere performances
of the works of Filipino composers as well as other Asian
composers. His own music, including works for chorus, orchestra, chamber
ensemble, solo instrument, and music theater have been performed by well-
known international artists and ensembles.

Jonas Baes

was born in Los Baños, Laguna in 1961. He enrolled at the College of

Music, University of the Philippines (UP) in 1977 as a student of
Ramon P. Santos.While at UP, he encountered the works of Jose
Maceda and attended several seminar-workshops of visiting lecturers.
He researched on the music of the Iraya-Mangyan people of Mindoro,
which later became the inspiration for his compositions. From 1992-
1994, he studied with Mathias Spahlinger in Freiburg,
Germany.

Baes received the Gawad Chancellor para sa Pinakamakusay na

Mananaliksik (Hall of Fame, 2003) from the University of the
Philippines. He is currently an Associate Professor in Composition and
Theory at the UP College of Music as well as an ethnomusicologist,
cultural activist, and writer.
 SONG COMPOSERS

LEVI CELERIO (1910 – 2002)

Prolific lyricist and composer Levi Celerio was named National

Artist for Music and Literature in 1997. Also a violinist, he had
written the lyrics for over 4,000 songs in his lifetime, including
many for film. A great number of kundimans and Filipino love
songs have lyrics written by him, most notable of which are
Dahil sa Iyo, Buhat, and Ang Pasko ay Sumapit.

His achievements include a citation in the Guinness Book of

World Records for being the only person to make music with a
mouth-blown leaf. He will forever be remembered through his
lyrics for songs such as Ang Pipit (music by Lucio D. San
Pedro); Bagong Pagsilang (music by Felipe Padilla de Leon); Sa
Ugoy ng Duyan (music by Lucio D. San Pedro); Misa de Gallo
(music by J. Balita); Itik-itik (folk song);
Tinikling (folk song), among others. Celerio passed away on
April 2, 2002.

Constancio Canseco de Guzman (1903 – 1982)

was born on November 11, 1903 in Guiguinto, Bulacan. He grew
up in Manila where he studied piano and composition under
Nicanor Abelardo. At the prodding of his father, he went to law
school but switched to pursue and finish a BS Commerce degree
at Jose Rizal College in 1928. He passed the certified public
accountants (CPA) board examinations in 1932. After he took the
CPA board exam, he started working for the movies.

In 1948, his song Ang Bayan Ko and Kung Kita’y Kapiling won
the gold medal at the Paris International Fair. Bayan Ko was later
adopted as the symbolic song of the People Power Movement of
1986. The same song won for him the Awit Award for Best
Filipino Lyricist. Some of De Guzman’s notable compositions
include Babalik Ka Rin, Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig, Birheng
Walang Dambana, Maalaala Mo Kaya, and Sa Piling Mo. De
Guzman passed away on August 16, 1982.

Miguel “Mike” Guison Velarde Jr (1913 – 1986)

composer, conductor, movie actor, and musical director was born in Manila on October 23, 1913 as the second
of two children of Dr. Miguel Velarde, Sr. and Dolores Guison. His family moved to Zamboanga when he was
only one year old and where he spent the succeeding eighteen years of his life. His exposure to the unaffected
and unpretentious environment of Basilan and Zamboanga had influenced his creative imagination, mainly
nurtured by his mother who became his first music teacher in piano and violin when he was six years old.

In subsequent years, Velarde created his own style as he composed highly melodious and romantic songs such
as Ikaw, Lahat ng Araw, Habang Buhay,Minamahal Kita , Ikaw ay Akin, andDahil Sa Iyo. In 1970, he won the
Best Conductor award at the First International Popular Song Contest in Japan with his composition As Long as
Forever. He received the Cultural Achievement Award in Popular Music from the Philippine Government
Cultural Association in 1975 and the Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining in 1986. His other compositions include
Buhat, Ikaw, Bituing Marikit, Minamahal Kita, Dating Sumpaan, Dalisay, Eternally Yours, and Gabi at Araw.
Velarde passed away in 1986.

Santiago Suarez (1901 – 1964)

was born in Sampaloc, Manila. He learned how to play the piano from his grandmother who was also a
competent harpist, while his grandfather played the flute. He attended the Conservatory of Music, University of
the Philippines and the Ateneo de Manila in Intramuros. He took private music lessons from Caetano Jacobe,
Pedro Floriaga, and Nicanor Abelardo.

Suarez’s compositions are a mixture of the soulful kundiman style and the lively strains of the countryside. The
melodies are tonal and catchy, while the rhythms follow the regular meter with minimal tempo changes. His
harmonies follow the traditional classical progression, making his compositions easy to understand without the
complexities of form and structure. Some of his works are quite popular and heard even with today’s classical
singers, pop singers, and choral groups. They include the following: Ligaya Ko, Pandanggo ni Neneng,
Dungawin mo Hirang, Bakya Mo Neneng, Caprichosa, Sa Libis ng Nayon, Harana, Kataka-taka, Labandera
Ko, Lakambini, Kamia, Ikaw ang BuhaKo!, Kay Lungkot nitong Hating-Gabi, and Mutya Niyaring Puso. Suarez
passed away in 1964.

Restituto Aquino Umali (1916 – 1998)

was born in Paco, Manila on June 16, 1916. His early exposure to music was due to the influence of his father
who taught him violin as well as his exposure to the regular family rondalla. He was also taught solfeggio and
score reading at the Mapa High School where he became an active member of the school glee club and
orchestra.

Among Umali’s most popular songs are Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Alaala ng Lumipas, Ang Pangarap Ko’y
Ikaw, Sa Libis ng Barrio, Di Ka Nag-iisa, and Paano Kita Lilimutin. He had arranged the performance of
Maestro Federico Elizalde’s Manila Little Symphony aired on radio stations DZRH and DZPI, apart from his
stint as musical director forSampaguita Pictures.

ANGEL PEÑA (1921 – 2014)

is a classical and jazz composer, arranger, and bass player. He is

widely considered by modern Filipino jazz musicians as “one of the
founders of traditional jazz in the Philippines.”

Peña auditioned for the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. He was

immediately accepted as bassist and later as arranger in 1969. He
would spend the next 28 years in Hawaii, where he continued to
write his own music. As farewell homage, the Manila Symphony
Orchestra performed hisConcerto for Double Bass and Orchestra. In
1981 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Filipino presence in
Hawaii, the Honolulu Symphony premiered his Concerto for Jazz
Quartet and Orchestra with an all-star Filipino jazz quartet.

Ernani Joson Cuenco(1936 – 1988),

composer, film scorer, musical director and music teacher, was

conferred the National Artist Award for Music in 1999. His works
embody a Filipino sense of musicality that contain the classical sound
of the kundiman.
To this day, Cuneco’s compositions are popular and well-loved, especially Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal and Bato
sa Buhangin which he composed for films in honor of his wife. Aside from these signature pieces, Cuenco’s
other songs include Nahan, Kahit na Magtiis, Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa, Pilipinas, Inang
Bayan, Isang Dalangin, and Kalesa.

George Masangkay Canseco (1934 – 2004)

was born on April 23, 1934 in Naic, Cavite. He graduated with a Liberal
Arts degree at the University of the East. After graduation, he worked for
the Philippines Herald and the Associated Press as a journalist. He also
worked as a “free-lance scriptwriter for hire” in Manila.

His legacy as a composer include approximately 120 song titles including

Ikaw, Kailangan Kita, Dito Ba, Hiram, Tubig at Langis, Hanggang sa
Dulo ng Walang Hanggan, Sinasamba Kita, Kastilyong Buhangin,
Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan, Ngayon at Kailanman, Saan
Darating ang Umaga, Sana Bukas Pa ang Kahapon, Dear Heart, Gaano
Kadalas ang Minsan, Paano kita Mapapasalamatan, and Kahapon
Lamang. He passed away on November 19, 2004 in Manila. To this day,
Cuneco’s compositions are popular and well-loved, especially Gaano Ko
Ikaw Kamahal and Bato sa Buhangin which he composed for films in
honor of his wife. Aside from these signature pieces, Cuenco’s other
songs include Nahan, Kahit na Magtiis, Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw
na Lupa, Pilipinas, Inang Bayan, Isang Dalangin, and Kalesa.

Leopoldo Silos Sr. (1925 – 2015)

was born on March 6, 1925. He was a composer, singer, and arranger.

He composed and recorded a number of romantic songs, the most
famous of which were two of his well known hits, Dahil Sa Isang
Bulaklak (Because Of One Flower) and Hindi Kita Malimot (I Can’t
Forget You). He was also the award-winning musical director of the
longrunning television musical program, Aawitan Kita, which starred
Armida Siguion-Reyna.

Accordingly, the music of Silos touches the sentiment quite deeply. His
lyrical melodies re complemented by exotic harmonies. His melodies
were made more appealing through their extended chords, diminished
intervals, and secondary dominants. Thus, that enriched
the otherwise basic chordal patterns accompanying a tonal melody.
Although not as widely performed as other mainstream love songs and
kundimans, his music always impresses the listener with its melodic
sincerity and elegantly crafted accompaniments. The other notable
compositions of Silos include Aling Kutsero, Ay Anong Saklap, Basta’t
Mahal Kita, Diyos Lamang ang Nakakaalam, Hindi Ko Malilimutan,
Lagi kitang Naaalala, Langit sa Lupa, Halina Halina, Lihim na Pag-
ibig, and Mundo Ma’y Mawala. He died on March 10, 2015.