Important Filipino Composers Born in 1901–1930

• • Born on February 11, 1913 in Angono, Rizal
  • 1997 National Artist of the Philippines for Music
  • He was a master composer, conductor, and teacher.
  • Chairman of the Department of Composition and Conducting for three years in UP College of Music


  Lucio San Pedro
• He came from a musically talented family. His father, Elpidio San Pedro, created a family band from which Lucio started his involvement in music. During his teenage years, he became a church organist.
• • He received his training in advanced composition under Bernard Wagenaar of the Netherlands.
  • He received his award as National Artist for Music under the administration of Pres. Corazon Aquino on May 9, 1991.
  • Became the director of Dramatic Philippines, and was a conductor of the Banda Angono Numero Uno, Manila Symphony Orchestra, San Pedro Band of Angono, etc.
  • At the age of 89, Lucio San Pedro died of cardiac arrest on March 31, 2002.
• • National Artist for Music (1988)
  • Used folk materials in his compositions
  • Francisca Reyes-Aquino (1935)
  • He was also a soldier and a known conductor of military bands in the country.
  • He introduced the idea of using Philippine folk music material into a Western form.
  • He became the bridge between the earlier masters of folk music and today’s generation.


  Col. Antonino Buenaventura
• Col. Antonino Buenaventura's compositions: Mindanao Sketches, Echoes from the Philippines, Ode to Freedom, and Philippines Triumphant
• • Born in Manila (1917-2004)
  • He graduated from the Academy of Music of Manila and went to France for further studies.
  • Composer, musicologist, teacher and performer, explored the musicality of the Filipino deeply
  • Maceda’s research and fieldwork have resulted in the collection of an immense number of recorded music taken from the remotest mountain villages and farthest island communities.
• • His main contribution to Philippine music literature is his research on Filipino indigenous music.
  • He incorporated rituals; electronic devices, such as cassette tapes, acoustical space, mass structures, and indigenous instruments in his compositions.
  • Maceda was conferred the rank and title National Artist for Music in 1997.
  • His notable works: Pagsamba, Udlot-Udlot, Ugma-Ugma, and Agungan
• • 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 St. Scholastica's College Manila and finished her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano at the Philippine Women's University.


  Lucrecia Kasilag
• • Her compositions have the sound concept of East meeting West.
  • She is also known for her compositions and folk song arrangements for choirs.
  • Her popular works for choir include "Purihin si Yahweh."


  Lucrecia Kasilag
• Lucrecia Kasilag's famous works are:

  • Toccata for Percussion and Winds
  • Walang Angay
  • De Profundis
  • Misang Pilipino
  • Filiasiana
  • Philippine Scenes
• • He was known for creating music with a mouth-blown leaf.
  • He composed the popular song Dahil sa Iyo in 1938 and Ang Pasko ay Sumapit.


  Levi Celerio