NATIONAL ARTIST IN MUSIC

ANTONINO BUENAVENTURA
(MAY 4, 1904-JAN. 25, 1996)
National Artist of the Phil. For Music in
1988. Buenaventura together with
Francisca Reyes Aquino, National Artist
Among his compositions are:
for Dance researched on the popularized -By the Hillside
-Triumphal March
folk songs and dances. He wrote songs -Ode to Freedom
-Concert Overture
and musical instrument based on the folk -Mindanao Sketches
-Symphony to C Major
songs of different ethnic groups in the
country.
LEVI CELERIO (April 30, 1910 – April 2, 2002)

National Artist of the Philippines for Music

in 1997. Celerio was a Filipino composer,
and prolific lyricist, with over 4,000 songs
to his credit. Featured in the Guinness Among his compositions
Book of World Records for being the only are:
-Ang Pasko ay Sumapit
man who could play music with a leaf, he -Kahit Konting Pagtingin
-Waray-waray
composed Christmas songs, folk songs, -Dungawin Mo Hirang
-Ang Bagong lipunan
and nationalistic songs. -Tinig ng Bayan
ERNANI JOSON CUENCO
(May 10, 1936-July 12, 1988)

National Artist of the Philippines for Music in 1999.

Cuenco was a prolific Filipino composer, film scorer, His outstanding
works are:
musical director, music teacher. A UST music -Nahan Kahit na
Magtiis
graduate of piano and cello, he taught in the same -Inang Bayan
university for decades until his death. He played with -Isang Dalangin
-Kalesa
the Filipino Youth Symphony Orchestra and the -Gaano kita kamahal
manila symphony Orchestra from 1960 to 1968 and -Pilipinas
-Isang Dalangin
the Manila Chamber Soloists from 1966 to 1970.
FELIPE PADILLA DE LEON
(May 1, 1912-November 2, 1992)

National artist of the Philippines for Music in 1997. De Leon, was

a Filipino composer who wrote the patriotic song “Awit sa Finally, it
Paglikha ng Bagong Pilipinas”(Hymn of the Birth of the New assumed the
title “Tindig
Philippines) known by its first line “Tindig Aking Inang Bayan”.
Uring Anak-
Intended to replace “Lupang Hinirang” as the national anthem, Pawis, sung
it was syng by members of the HUKBALAHAP, however, it by the
expressed sentiments against the Japanese at that time. It was members of
again during the Martial Law period as the secondary national the New
anthem. People’s
Army.
FRANCISCO FELICIANO
(February 19, 1941-September 19, 2014)

National artist of the Philippines for Music in

2014, Feliciano “contributed to the awareness of
people globally, to view the Asian and Philippine Major works are:
culture, as a rich source of inspiration and a -Ashen Wings
-Sikhay sa Kabila
celebration of our ethnicity. He elevated the ng Paalam
Filipino artistry into one that is highly esteemed by -La Loba Negra
-Yerma
the people all over the world.” -Pamugon
-Pokpok Alimpako
JOVITA FUENTES (February 15, 1895-August 7, 1978

National Artist of the Philippines for Music in 1976,

Fuentes portrayed in many musical plays abroad and her Her portrayals
portrayals won for her world acclaim. Spain awarde her as abroad include:
-Cio-cio in
the “Embahadora de Filipinas a su Madre Patria” for Giacomo
Puccini’s
outstanding portraying different roles in numerous “Madame
musical performances in Europe. She was also the Butterfly;
-Liu Yu in
founder of the “Artist Guild of the Philippines”, which Puccini’s
periodically produce the “Tour of Operaland” productions “turnador”
-Mimi in
which promoted opera in the Philippines. Puccini’s “La
Boheme”
LUCRESIA R. KASILAG (Aug. 31, 1918-Aug. 16, 2008)

National Artist of the Philippines for Music in 1989.

Kasilag was a Filipino compose, music educator, former Her other
President of the cultural center of the Philippines for (17 works include:
-Legend of the
years), head of Asiam composers league, Chairperson of Sarimanok
-Why Flowers
the Philippine Society for Music education, and pioneer of bloom in May
the Bayanihan Dance Company. Considered as the “First -Philippine
Scenes
Lady of the Philippine Music”, she did over 350 musical -Her Son
compositions, including acclaimed chamber and -Ang Pamana
-Awit ng mga
indigenous Filipino instruments into orchestral awit
productions.
JOSE MACEDA (Jan. 31, 1917-May 5, 2004)

National for the Philippines for Music in 1997. Maceda

was a manila born Filipino composer and
ethnomusicologist who studied piano, composition and His major works
musical analysis at Ecole Normal de Musique de Paris andare:
-Pagsamba
conducted field work in ethnic music in the Phils. -Ugma-ugma
-Udlot-udlot
Maceda’s life-long musical career focused on -Kubing
understanding and popularizing Filipino traditional music. -Agung
-ugnayan
He conductef researches and fieldworks in traditional
music which resulted in his wide array of recorded music
from diff. parts of the country.
ANTONIO MOLINA (December 26, 1894-Jan. 29, 1980)

National Artist in 1973. Molina was a Filipino composer,

conductor and music administrator who was credited with
over 500 compositions, the first of which was written in Compositions:
-Hatinggabi
1912 (“Matrinal”). -Misa
Antoniana
- Dean of Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music Grand festival
where he founded the CEU String quartet mass
-Ang batingaw
-Kandungan
-Amihan
-Awit ni Maria
Clara
-Larawan nitong
Pilipinas
LUCIO D. SAN PEDRO
National artist in 1991. San Pedro was a Filipino
composer and teacher born in Angono , Rizal. Known for Compositions
:
his popular lullaby “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan”. He serve as -Malakas at
Maganda
Chairman of the Composition and Conducting Department overture
of UP College of Music. -Easter
Cantata
-Sa Mahal
Kong Bayan
=
RAMON P. SANTOS
National artist in 2014. Santos is a composer, conductor,
musicologist and the country’s foremost exponent of Major Woks:
-Ritwal ng
Contemporary Filipino music. He is instrumental in Pasasalamat
-Penomenon
espousing a modern Philippine music rooted in all Asian-Daragang Magayon
services and life concepts. -Parangal kay SW,
“L’Bad”
Dew Gey
ANDREA O. VENERACION

National artist in 1999. Veneracion was a Filipino

choral conductor who founded in 1963 the
Philippine Madrigal Singers (aka Madz), who won
major awards in international choral competitions
under her directions. She is the founding
choirmaster and first conductor of the Asian
institute for Liturgy and music chorale.
DANCE
LEONOR OROSA GOQUINGCO

National Artist of the Phils.for Dance in 1976.

Goquingco aka Cristina Luna was known as
“Trailblazer”, “Mother of Philippine Theater Dance”
and “Dean of Filipino Performing Arts Critics”. She
was the only dancer sent on the first cultural
mission to Japan at the age of 19. She produce “The
Elements”, the first ballet choreographed by a
Filipino to commissioned music
RAMON OBUSAN

National Artist for Dance in 2006. Obusan founded in

1972 the Ramon Obusan Folkloric
Group(ROFG),promoted the Philippine Ethnic dances
and performed them with respect and authenticity. He
researched on the different ethnic groups throughout
the country to perfectly perform their dances. His
presentations attempt to demonstrates the ethnic
dances, original routine and music.
FRANCISCA REYES AQUINO

National artist in 1973 was named the “Mother of

Philippine Dancing” for her velominuos collection of
Philippine folk dances. Her research entitled
“Philippine Dances and Games” contains the country’s
unrecorded celebrations, folk dances, rituals and
games. Aside from her thesis, she has also published
many books regarding Philippine dances like
Fundamental Dance Steps and Music, Gymnastics for
girls and Philippine National Dances.