Traditional Composers

• Francisco Santiago


  Considered the "Father of Kundiman"
• Francisco Santiago


  • Finished music specialization at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago
  • Obtained Doctorate Degree in 1924
• Famous works by Francisco Santiago

  • Pakiusap
  • Madaling Araw
  • Sakali Man
  • Pilipinas Kong Mahal
  • Hibik ng Pilipinas
  • Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran
  • Kundiman (Anak Dalita)
• Kundiman (Anak Dalita) was sung before the Royal Court of Spain upon the request of King Alfonso II
• Francisco Santiago was a musical director for films
• Films under Francisco Santiago's musical supervision

  • Kundiman
  • Leron Leron Sinta
  • Madaling Araw
  • Manileña
  • Pakiusap
• Francisco Santiago became the first Filipino Director of the UP Conservatory of Music
• Nicanor Abelardo


  • Studied music at the Chicago Music College
  • Influenced by the musical styles of the Serialist/Second Viennese School and Post-Romantic European composers
• Abelardo, together with Francisco Santiago elevated the status of the Kundiman into an Art Song status equivalent to that of the German Lied, the French Chanson, and the Italian Aria
• Best-known compositions by Nicanor Abelardo

  • Mutya ng Pasig
  • Bituing Marikit
  • Kundiman ng Luha
  • Kung Hindi Man
  • Nasaan Ka Irog
  • Ikaw Rin
  • Pahimakas
  • Pahiwatig
  • Cavatina for Violin and Piano
  • First Nocturne for Piano
  • Magbalik Ka Hirang
• Antonio Molina


  • First National Artist for Music
  • Began music career as an orchestral soloist at the Manila Grand Opera House
  • Served as Dean of the Centro Escolar University, Conservatory of Music from 1948 to 1970
  • Faculty member of the University of the Philippines' Conservatory (now College) of Music
  • Product of both the Romantic and Impressionist schools of thought
  • Fascinated by the dynamics and harmonies of Debussy but retained much of the Romantic style in his melody
• Compositions by Antonio Molina

  • Malikmata (Transfiguration)
  • Hatinggabi
  • Misa Antoniana Grand Festival Mass
  • Ang Batingaw
  • Kundiman-Kundangan
  • String Quartet
  • Kung sa Iyong Gunita
  • Pandangguhan
  • Amihan
  • Awit ni Maria Clara
  • Larawan Nitong Pilipinas
• Antonio Molina received the National Artist for Music award in 1973
• Antonio Molina passed away on January 29, 1980
• Lucio San Pedro


  • Born on February 11, 1913 in Angono, Rizal
  • Started composing since elementary days
  • Studied the banjo which inspired him to become a serious musician
  • Pursued music degree at the University of the Philippines and at the Juilliard School in New York, USA
  • Became a professor of theory and composition at the University of the Philippines' College of Music up until his retirement in 1978
  • Known as a "romantic nationalist" who incorporated Philippine folk elements in his compositions with Western forms and harmony
• Popular works by Lucio San Pedro


  • Sa Ugoy ng Duyan
• Lucio San Pedro composed "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan" together with his friend Levi Celerio as the lyricist
• Lucio San Pedro was invited to be a judge at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1980
• Lucio San Pedro was declared National Artist for Music in 1991
• Lucio San Pedro passed away on March 31, 2002
• Ryan Cayabyab


  • Also known as Mr. C
  • Popular contemporary composer who also has classical compositions to his credit
  • Compositional style makes much use of a variety of influences – from Moroccan musical cultures, Jazz, African-American Spirituals and Gospel music, European Neo-Classicism, Music for Films, American Broadway musicales, to Philippine indigenous chants
• Notable compositions by Ryan Cayabyab

  • Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika
  • Paraiso
  • Alikabok
  • Lorenzo
  • Spoliarium
  • One
  • One Christmas
  • One More
• Ryan Cayabyab was born on May 4, 1954 in Manila
• Ryan Cayabyab obtained his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of the Philippines, College of Music in 1983
• Ryan Cayabyab became a faculty member for Composition at the University of the Philippines
• Ryan Cayabyab served as the Executive and Artistic Director of the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts
• Ryan Cayabyab was named National Artist for Music in 2018