Music (Filipino Composers)

• Ramon Santos, Ph.D.


  "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."
• Lucio San Pedro

  • Father: Elpidio San Pedro (founder of San Pedro of Angono)
  • started as an organist in church at 9 years old
  • 1991 National Artist of the Philippines for Music under Corazon Aquino's term
  • Ugoy ng Duyan (lyrics by Levi Celerio)
• Antonio Molina

  • Claude Debussy of the Philippines
  • Father: Juan Molina (founder of Molina Orchestra)
  • one of "Triumverate of Filipino Composers"
  • Malikmata or Transfiguration, Hating-Gabi
• Antonio Molina


  the first National Artist for Music
• Antonio Molina


  Father of Philippine Impressionist Music
• Francisco Santiago

  • Father of Philippine Romanticism
  • Father of the Kundiman
  • Triumvirate of Filipino Composers
  • Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran, Anak Dalita (Lyrics are by Deogracias Rosario and Jesus Balmori)
• Francisco Santiago's works

  • Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran
  • Madaling Araw
  • Pakiusap
• Nicanor Abelardo

  • Father of Philippine Expressionism
  • He studied music at the Chicago Music College and was influenced by the musical styles of Schoenberg, Hindemith and Stravinsky
  • Triumvirate of Filipino Composers
  • Mutya ng Pasig (Lyrics by Deogracias Rosario)
• Nicanor Abelardo's Works

  • Mutya ng Pasig
  • Nasaan Ka Irog
  • Cavatina for Violoncello
  • Magbalik Ka Hirang
• In Nicanor Abelardo's Mutya ng Pasig, the mutya speaks, in the light of the full moon, lamenting her kingdom and love that was lost, symbolizing the freedom lost by the country to the Americans.
• Rodolfo Cornejo


  He composed a military march titled Salute at the age of 13.
• Rodolfo Cornejo


  added letters on every musical composition
• Song Composers


  became popular with their musical compositions used as musical background or theme songs in movies and films
• Levi Celerio

  • He was known for creating music with a mouth-blown leaf
  • Dahil Sa Iyo (sung by Pilita Corales), Ang Pasko ay Sumapit
• Pilipinas Kong Mahal

  • Composer: Francisco Santiago
  • Lyrics: Levi Celerio
• Col. Antonino Buenaventura

  • National Artist for Music (1988)
  • Francisca Reyes Aquino (1935)
  • He was a soldier and known conductor of military bands in the country.
• Buenaventura's compositions

  • Mindanao Sketches "Echoes of the Past"
  • "Echoes from the Philippines"
  • "Ode to Freedom"
  • Philippines Triumphant
• Jose Maceda

  • Born in Manila (1917 - 2004)
  • Composer, musicologist, teacher and performer, explored the musicality of the Filipino deeply
  • His main contribution to Philippine music literature is his research on Filipino indigenous music.
  • National Artist for Music in 1997
• Maceda's compositions

  * Pagsamba

  * Udlot-Udlot

  * Ugma-Ugma

  * Angungan
• Lucresia Kasilag


  * Born in San Fernando La Union, National Artist for Music (1918 - 2008)

  * Was the first Filipino female composer to be known worldwide

  * She started her musical studies with her mother who was a music teacher.

  * She went on to finish her Teacher's diploma in Piano at the Philippine Women's University.

  * Her compositions have the sound concept of East meeting West.

  * She is also known for her compositions and folk song arrangements for choirs.
• Kasilag's compositions:

  * Purihin si Yahweh

  * Toccata for Percussion and Winds

  * Walang Angay

  * De Profundis

  * Misang Pilipino

  * Filiasiana and Philippine Scenes