Song Composers

• Levi Celerio


  Filipino prolific song writer and composer born on April 30, 1912 in Tondo Manila and died on April 2, 2002
• Levi Celerio wrote more than 4,000 Filipino songs including love songs, Christmas songs, and nationalistic songs
• Some of Levi Celerio's works were made into movies in the Philippines
• Levi Celerio was included in the Guinness Book of Records for his skill in playing music using a leaf
• Levi Celerio was bestowed the National Artist for Music and Literature in 1997 by the former president Fidel Ramos and was recognized as composer and lyricist who inspired every Filipino
• Levi Celerio studied at the Academy of Music in Manila and was a former member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra
• Levi Celerio's Works

  • Ikaw
  • Kahit Konting Pagtingin
  • Saan Ka Man Naroon
  • Ugoy ng Duyan (Lyrics)
  • Ang Pipit
  • Itik-Itik
  • Pitong Gatang
  • Waray-Waray
  • Ang Pasko ay Sumapit
• Ang Pipit


  A song about a small passerine bird that depicts the sad life of Filipinos who remain captured in their own country, composed with imagery and symbolism
• Ang Pipit was also made into a one act play reflecting the misfortune life of a Filipino Family and is included in Pelita Corales' Music Album "Remembering Levi Celerio" in 2017
• Constancio Canseco De Guzman


  Filipino composer, born on November 11, 1903 in Guiguinto, Bulacan and died on August 16, 1982
• Constancio De Guzman studied piano and composition under Nicanor Abelardo, started pursuing law but shifted to BS Commerce, and continued his craft in composing music for films
• Constancio De Guzman was acknowledged as the "Dean of Filipino Movie Composers and Musical Directors"
• Constancio De Guzman's Works


  • Ang Bayan Ko
  • Kung Kita'y Kapiling
  • Babalik Ka Rin
  • Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig
  • Birheng Walang Dambana
  • Maalaala Mo Kaya
  • Sa Piling Mo
• Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig


  A danze composed by Constancio de Guzman set to a film in 1955, interpreted by Carmen Rosales, and included in Kuh Ledesma's album "Greatest Hits Vol. 2 in 2019
• Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig is written for solo voice with piano accompaniment, with arrangements for choir and solo instruments
• Miguel "Mike" Guison Velarde, Jr.


  Filipino composer, conductor, movie actor, and musical director, born on October 23, 1913 in Manila and died in 1986
• Mike Velarde's family moved to Zamboanga where he was inspired to pursue music by his mother, and he learned basic harmony and composition with the help of Antonio Molina and Ariston Avelino
• Mike Velarde opened his own jazz school and had his own jazz band named Mike Velarde's Jazztocrats, and also became a song editor for the Philippines Free Press
• Mike Velarde's Works

  • Luksong Tagumpay
  • Alaala Kita
  • Lahat ng Araw
  • Habang Buhay
  • Minamahal Kita
  • Ikaw ay Akin
  • Dahil Sa Iyo
  • As Long As Forever
  • Buhat
  • Bituing Marikit
• Minamahal Kita


  A balse composed in 1937 by Mike Velarde, a romantic song that reflects the "Americanized" Manila in the 1930's, first performed by Elsa Oria in the 1940's movie Nina Bonita
• Restituto "Restie" Umali


  Filipino song writer, composer, arranger, conductor, and film music scorer, born on June 16, 1916 at Paco Manila
• Restie Umali learned to play the violin, solfeggio and score reading in Mapa High School, and played the E-flat horn, trombone and tuba in the University of Santo Tomas (UST)
• Restie Umali majored in composition and conducting at the Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines, and also took commerce at the Jose Rizal College and an electrician's course at the Philippine School of Arts and Trades
• Restie Umali was mentored by professors such as Lucrecia Kasilag, Antonio Buenaventura and Ramon Tapales at the UP Conservatory of Music
• Restituto Umali's Arrangements and Musical Scores for Films


  • Arrangement of the Philippine National Anthem – for Boston Pops Orchestra for the Philippine Independence Night in Boston 1972
  • Kataka-Taka- for the Philippine Independence Night in Boston 1972
  • No Man is an Island- produced by Universal Pictures
  • Sa Bawat Pintig ng Puso (1964)
  • Pinag Buglod ng Langit (1969)
  • Mga Anghel na Walang Langit (1970)
  • Ang Alamat (1972)- won Best Musical Score (FAMAS Awards)
• Restituto Umali's Popular Song Compositions

  • Saan Ka Man Naroroon
  • Alaala ng Lumipas
  • Ang Pangarap Ko'y Ikaw
  • Sa Libis ng Barrio
  • Di ka Nag-iisa
  • Paano Kita Lilimutin
• Saan Ka Man Naroroon


  A contemporary Danza composed by Restie Umali, set to a movie in 1993 and TV series in ABS-CBN in 1999 to 2001
• Saan Ka Man Naroroon is in F major, with many musicians making different musical arrangements from choir, band, orchestra
• Ernani Potel Cuenco


  Filipino composer, film scorer, musical director and music teacher, born on May 10, 1936 in Bulacan and died on July 11, 1988, bestowed as a National Artist for Music in 1999
• Ernani Cuenco's works highly embark Filipino musical flavors, using the classical kundiman as inspiration in some of his works
• Ernani Cuenco learned to play the violin taught by his mother, god mother Dona Belen Aldaba Bautista and Jovita Tantoco, and finished his Bachelor of Music Major in Piano and Master's degree in Music
• Ernani Cuenco was an active member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, Filipino Youth Symphony Orchestra and Manila Chamber Soloists, and began his career as a musical director in 1960
• Ernani Potelo Cuenco's Popular Works


  • Nahan
  • Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa
  • Pilipinas
  • Inang Bayan
  • Isang Dalangin
  • Kalesa
  • Gaano Kita Kamahal
• Nahan


  A song composed by Ernani Cuenco that expresses the intense longing and pain of a broken-hearted lover, using chromatics in the melody