The National Artist — Music

• National Capital Region


  1. Antonio J. Molina (1973)

  He is known for introducing innovations such as the whole tone scale, pentatonic scale, exuberance of dominant ninths and eleventh chords, and liner counterpoints.

  His most familiar composition is Hating Gabi, a serenade. Other works are Misa Antoniana Grand Festival Mass, Ang Batingaw, Kundiman- Kundangan; Hating Gabi, String Quartet, Kung sa lyong Gunita, Pandangguhan; Amihan, Awit ni Maria Clara, and Larawan Nitong Pilipinas.
• National Capital Region


  Honorata "Atang" de la Rama (1987)

  National Artist for Theater and Music Honored as the "Queen of Kundiman" in 1979, she believes that, "the sarswela and the kundiman expresses best the Filipino soul.

  National Artist for Theater and Music Honored as the "Queen of Kundiman" in 1979, she believes that, "thesarswela and the kundiman expresses best the Filipino soul."

  sarswela and the kundiman expresses best the Filipino soul."sarswela and the kundiman expresses best the Filipino soul."
• Jose Maceda (1997)


  Maceda is a composer, musicologist, teacher, and performer. He wrote papers that enlightened Filipino and foreign scholars about the nature of Philippine traditional and ethnic music. His experiment also freed Filipino musical expression from the view that European culture is dominant.

  His compositions like "Ugma-ugma," and "Udlot-uldot" are monuments to his persistent commitment to Philippine music. Other major works include Agungan, Kubing, Pagsamba, Ugnayan, Ading. Aroding. Siasid, and Suling- suling
• Andrea Veneracion (1999)


  She is known for her achievements as choirmaster and choral singer. She found the Philippine Madrigal Singers and spearheaded the development of choral music in the Philippines.
• Ramon Santos (2014)


  He is currently the country's foremost exponent of contemporary Filipino music. A prime figure in the second generation of Filipino composers in the modern idiom, Santos has contributed greatly to the quest for new directions in music, taking as basis non-Western traditions in the Philippines and Southeast Asia
• Lucrecia Roces Kasilag


  • Instrumental in developing Philippine music and culture
  • Pioneered the discovery of Filipino roots through ethnic music and fusing it with Western influences
  • Led many Filipino composers to experiment in the similar approach
  • Founded the Bayanihan Folk Arts Center for research and theatrical presentations
• Lucrecia Roces Kasilag's orchestral music


  • Love Songs
  • Legend of the Sarimanok
  • Ang Pamana
  • Philippine Scenes
  • Her Son, Jose
  • Sisa
• Lucrecia Roces Kasilag's chamber music

  • Awit ng mga Awit Psalms
  • Fantaisie on a 4-Note Theme
  • East Meets Jazz Ethnika
• Region 3-Central Luzon


  Region in the Philippines
• Antonio R. Buenaventura


  A musician from Baliuag, Bulacan, Philippines
• Year Buenaventura's biography was written

  1988
• Buenaventura


  • Vigorously pursued a musical career that spanned seven (7) decades
  • Committed himself to the advancement of Philippine music frontier
• Buenaventura's research with Francisca Reyes Aquino


  1. Conducted research on folksongs and dances

  2. Led to popularization of folksongs and dances
• Marches written by Buenaventura

  • Triumphal March
  • Echoes of the Past
  • History Fantasy
  • Second Symphony in E-flat
  • Echoes from the Philippines
  • Ode to Freedom
• Orchestral music compositions by Buenaventura

  • Concert Overture
  • Prelude and Fugue in G Minor
  • Philippines Triumphant
  • Mindanao Sketches
  • Symphony in C Major
• Felipe Padilla de Leon (1997)


  He Filipinized western music forms. His sonatas, marches, and concertos have become full expression of the sentiments of the Filipino in times of strife and peace.

  De Leon's orchestral music include "Mariang Makiling Overture (1939)," "Roca Encantada, symphonic legend (1950)," "Maynila Overture (1976)," "Orchesterstuk (1981)" choral music like "Payapang Daigdig." "Ako'y Pilipino," "Lupang Tinubuan," "Ama Namin" and songs "Bulaklak." "Alitaptap," and "Mutya ng Lahi."
• Ernani J. Cuenco (1999

  His works "Bato sa Buhangin," "Inang Bayan," "Isang Dalangin," "Kalesa," and "Pilipinas" brought contemporary Filipino music to a higher level. He enriched the Filipino love ballad by adding elements of kundiman to his song "Gaano Kita Kamahal."

  Cuenco played with the Filipino Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Manila Symphony Orchestra from 1960 to 1968, and the Manila Chamber Soloists from 1966 to 1970. He completed a music degree in piano and cello from the University of Santo Tomas where he also taught for decades until his death in 1988.
• Region 4A-CALABARZON


  Lucio D. San Pedro (1991)

  San Pedro's work with town bands have significantly contributed to the development of a civic culture among the Filipino communities and opened a creative outlet for young Filipinos.

  He is popular for his contributions such as the lullaby "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan" which he made in collaboration with Levi Celerio, and the symphonic poem "Lahing Kayumanggi."
• Region 4A CALABARZON Francisco Feliciano (2014)

  He brought awareness to the people all over the world Asian culture is a rich source of inspiration and celebration of ethnicity through his works that brought out the "Asianness" in music. By his numerous creative outputs, he has elevated the Filipino artistry into one that is highly esteemed by the people.

  His major works are, "Ashen Wings (1995)," "Sikhay sa Kabila ng Paalam (1993)," "La Loba Negra (1983)," "Yerma (1982)," "Pamugun (1995)," and "Pokpok Alimako (1981)."
• Region 6-Western Visayas


  Jovita Fuentes (1976) She was best known for her portrayal of Cio-cio San in Giacomo Puccini's
• Region 6 - WESTERN VISAYAS

  b. Manuel Conde (2009)

  He is known for producing and directing films based on Filipino zales such a Siete lefantes de Lara, "Thong Adarna," and "Pemsipe Tenno He also dared to recreate on screen narratives of world history literature though his works "Genghis Khan" and "Sigfredo"
• Region 18-Negros Island

  Eddie Romero (2003)

  He is considered as one of the finest in the cinema of the Philippines and his body of work delved into history and politics. His works include the films, "Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon?," "Aguila," "Kamakalawa," "Banta ng Kahapon," and his 13-part series "Noli Me Tangere."