20th Century

TRADITIONAL
COMPOSERS
INTRODUCTION
With Spain and then America having colonized
the Philippines from the early 1500sto the late
1800s, it was unavoidable that Western
compositional techniques found their way into the
works of Filipino composers. Yet, even 20th century
Filipino composershave managed to retain some
traditional elements in their assimilation of
Westerntechniques. In fact, they have become the
strongest foundations of what we now knowas
Philippine music.Among the major Philippine
contemporary composers are Francisco
Buencamino Sr., Francisco Santiago, Nicanor
Abelardo, Antonio Molina, Hilarion Rubio,
Col.Antonino Buenaventura, Rodolfo Cornejo, Lucio.
FRANCISCO BELTRAN BUENCAMINO SR.
 He was born on November 5 ,1883 in Bulacan.
 His Father was FORTUNATO BUENCAMINO, a church organist and band
master.
 m His mother was LUISA BELTRAN,a noted singer.
 He studied music composition and harmony in LICEO DE MANILA.
Unfortunately, he was not able to finish his studies.
 He taught at the ATENEO DE MANILA and CENTRO ESCOLAR DE
SENORITAS whose CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC he founded.
 He also created the BUENCAMINO MUSIC ACADEMY in 1930 where
NICANOR ABELARDO was one of his student.
 Many of his piano works become a staple part of the Philippine repertoire
of today’s young student, especially MAYON,LARAWAN and MALIGAYANG
BATI.
 He also wrote several ZARZUELAS and KUNDIMANS.
 He passed away on OCTOBER 16, 1952 after which a posthumous award
honored him with the title “ Outstanding Composer”.
FRANCISCO SANTIAGO SANTIAGO,PhD
 He was born on January 29,1889 in Sta. Maria Bulacan to musically inclined
parents FELIPE SANTIAGO and MARIA SANTIAGO.
 He is known as the “ FATHER OF THE KUNDIMAN” and belongs to the “
TRIUMVIRATE OF FILIPINO COMPOSERS”
 He finished his music specialization at the AMERICA CONSERVATORY OF
MUSIC IN CHICAGO, where he obtained his DOCTORATE DEGREE IN 1924.
 Santiago’s music was Romantic in style, Incorporating Western forms and
techniques with folk materials.
 He composed such as KUNDIMAN, LERON LERON SINTA, MADALING
ARAW, MANILENA, and the movie inspired by his own composition
PAKIUSAP.
 He became the first filipino Director of the University of the Philippines
Conservatory of Music.
 He died on SEPTEMBER 28,1947.
NICANOR STA. ANA ABELARDO
 He was born on February 7,1893 in San Miguel De Mayumo.
 He is one of “TRIUMVIRATE OF FILIPINO COMPOSERS” which includes
ANTONIO MOLINA and FRANSISCO SANTIAGO.
 He studied at the CHICAGO MUSIC COLLEGE anhd was influenced by the
musical styles of SCHOENBERG,HINDEMITH, and STRAVINSKY.
 His music style is EUROPEAN ROMANTICISM with CHROMATICISM.
 His compositions contain HAZY TONES,DISSONANCE, and UNUSUAL
CHORDAL COMBINATIONS, as seen in his works CINDERELLA OVERTURE,
PANORAMAS,and VIOLIN SANTA.
 Abelardo is also considered a composer in the ROMANTIC STYLE
 His best-known compositions include MUTYA NG PASIG, NASAAN KA IROG,
CAVATINA FOR VIOLONCELLO, and MAGBALIK KA HIRANG.
 He also composed the melody for the University Official Anthem,U.P.
NAMING MAHAL.
 The main building theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the
building housing the College of Music in UP DILIMAN are named in his
honor.
 He died on March 21, 1934
ANTONIO J. MOLINA
 He was born on December 26,1894 in Quiapo, Manila.
 He is the first NATIONAL ARTIST FOR MUSIC.
 He is considered one of the “ TRIUMVIRATE OF THE FILIPINO COMPOSERS”
 He began his music career as an ORCHESTRAL SOLOIST at the MANILA
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
 He went on to serve as DEAN OF THE CENTRO ESCOLAR UNIVERSITY
CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC from 1948 to 1970.
 His music style is Product of both Romantic and Impressionist Styles
Dynamics and Harmonies of Debussy, but retained much of the romantic
style in his melody.
 A characteristically Impressionist Work in hisn ppiano composition
MALIKMATA ( configuration).
 The mysterious exotic chords of this piece gradually lead to a lyrical
melody, with the traditional harmonies abruptly returning to the initial
mood.
 Molina wrote several compositions for piano,violin, and voice as well as a
spanish-style opera from known as the ZARZUELA.
 He is best known for his popignantly romantic serenade for violin and
piano HATINGGABI.
 Subsequent transcriptions of this piece were written for the
CELLO,FLUTE,PIANO, and GUITAR.
 Other works by Molina include orchestral music-MISA ANTONIANA GRAND
FESTIVAL MASS,ANG BATINGAW, KUNDIMAN-KUNDANGAN ; chamber
music – STRING QUARTET,KUNG SA IYONG GUNITA,PANDANGGUHAN ; and
vocal music – AMIHAN , AWIT NI MARIA CLARA and LARAWAN NITONG
PILIPINAS.
 He received the NATIONAL ARTIST FOR MUSIC AWARD IN 1973.
 He died on January 29,1980.
HILARION FRANCISCO RUBIO
 He was born on october 21,1902 in bacoor,cavite.
 He was a composer,music teacher,conductor,and clarinetist.
 He created substantial work for the orchestra.Also,he served as conductor
for opera,ballet,dance recitals and movie music.
 Rubio early interest in music came from his uncle who was then playing
bacoor band.
 His first music lesson with Fr.Amando Buencamino who taught him
“Solfeggio” and other music instruments.
 When he was eight he was accepted as a member of bacoor band as a
clarinetist.Rubio first composition is UNANG KATAS for his concert with the
band.
 In his high school years at North High School (now Arellano high school),He
bacame member of several orchestra.He is also member of Lyric Theater
Orchestra,Trozi band in buenavidez street, and the Band Moderna in
Tondo.
 After he graduate in 1930,he co-founded the ANAK ZAPOTE BAND.
 Later on,he became leader of ROTC Band and conductor of the
conservatory of music,University of the Philippines;and played timpani with
the UP junior symphony orchestra.
 After his student year,He became a conductor of opera at the Manila Music
School in 1936.
 He became the choirmaster and choral conductor of choir islander,and also
assumed the position of instructor at the UP Conservatory of Music.
 He became full professor of the UP conservatory of Music from 1936-1937.
 Also,he was appointed director of the conservatory of music,centro escolar
university in 1944-1945.
  During second world war,he composed and arrange many works and
conducted many military and civilian brassa band.After the wars,he was
appointed conductor of the manila municipal symphony orchestra.
 He held various position,include vice president of the PASAMBAP
(Pambandang Samahan ng mga Banda sa Pilipinas).
 He was conductor of the national opera company for 23 years from 1937-
1960.

SOME OF RUBIO’S COMPOSITIONS:

•Bulaklaken

•Theme & Variations for Band

•Unang Katas
COLONEL ANTONINO BUENAVENTURA
 Antonino Buenaventura was born on May 4, 1904 in Baliuag, Bulacan.
 He was born in a family of musicians; his father Lucino Buenaventura was a
musician at the Spanish Artillery Band in Intramuros.
 He studied under Nicanor Abelardo at the University of the Philippines
Diliman Conservatory of Music and graduated in 1932 with a Teacher’s
Diploma in Music, major in Science and Composition and became an
assistant instructor at the Conservatory.
 He also studied composition for a post-graduate degree under Jenő Takács
 After the war he became conductor of the devastated Philippine
Constabulary Band for 16 years and he brought it back to its former glory.
 He became the music director of the UST Conservatory of Music in 1961
and the UE School of Music and Arts in 1964.
 He married the violinist Rizalina Exconde and produced 4 children.
 Buenaventura's music was influenced by different ethnic Philippine
folksongs. In 1935, he joined Francisca Reyes-Aquino in researching
Philippine folksongs and dances.[5] In 1936 he composed the
accompaniment to the folk dance "Pandanggo sa Ilaw" and incorporated
ethnic melodies and instruments to some of his compositions.

AWARD AND HONORS

 Band Conductor of the Year (1951, from the Music Lovers Society)
 Republic Cultural Heritage Award for Music (1966, for his Symphony in C)
 Araw ng Maynila Cultural Award (1971)
 Award of Merit for Outstanding Contribution to Philippine Music (1976,
from the Philippine Army)
 Director Emeritus of the University of the East (1981)
 National Artist of the Philippines (1988)
 Doctor of Humanities (1991, from the University of the Philippines)
 Diwa ng Lahi Award (1995)
RODOLFO SOLDEVILLA CORNEJO

 Cornejo Rodolfo (born 7 September 1983) is a Chilean handball player for

Santiago Steel and the Chilean national team.
 His parents are Miguel Cornejo, Sr. and Crisanta Soldevilla. In 1949, he
married Nieves Guerrero, a lyric soprano.
 He was a musician who became a church organist at the age of 8, a
composer at the age of 10, whose composition was published when he was
13 (a military march entitled “Salute” dedicated to then Governor;General
Leonard Wood of the Commonwealth Period)
 A holder of a Teaches Diploma from the University of the Philippines at 23,
and a degree holder of Master in Music ( Mus. M.) in composition
conferred by the Chicago Musical College at 24.
 His Symphonic Suite in 5 movements, which was well received by his
American professors in New York, was finished within 28 days.
 After the war he became a piano soloist with the New York Symphony
Orchestra, the CBS Symphony Orchestra, and the Los Angeles WPA
Symphony Orchestra and others.
 He returned to the Philippines and became a soloist with the Manila
Symphony Orchestra. He was composer and musical director of Sampaguita
and Vera Perez movie companies, directing the musical scores of 27
movies. He taught Humanities at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
 Stamps and Official First Day Covers will be available starting May 15, 2009
at the Postage and Philatelic Department, Door 203, Liwasang Bonifacio,
1000 Manila and at all Regional Offices of the Philippine Postal Corporation.
FELIPE PADILLA DE LEON
 Was born on the 1st of May,1912 in The Barrio Of Papaya (General Tiñio) in
Peneranda,Nueva Ecija.
 He is the son of Juan de Leon and Natalia Padilla
 Felipe de Leon married pianist Iluminada Mendoza with whom he had six
children.
 Felipe De Leon father died when he was only three years old and his
mother supported the family by selling betel nut leaves.
 Felipe De Leon is a great illustrator and painter
 In 1927, he took up Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines, but he had
to stop schooling in order to make a living
 Then, he worked as an assistant conductor of the Nueva Ecija High School
Orchestra where he started doing musical arrangements.
 In 1939, he graduated with a music teacher's diploma, major in conducting.
 Felipe De Leon died on the 5th of December, 1992.
LUCIO DIESTRO SAN PEDRO
 He was born on february 11, 1913 in Angono, Rizal
 He satarted composing as early as his elemantary days.
 He studied the banjo which inspired him to become a serious musician.
 He pursued his music degree at the UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES , he
became a professor of theory and composition at the University of the
Philipinnes College of Music.
 He is known as ROMANTIC NATIONALIST.
 He incorporated Philippine Folk Elements in his compositions with Western
forms to create highly tonal melody rich expressive harmonies .
 His chords have a rich expressive tonality ( SA UGOY NG DUYAN) a LULLABY
MELODY sung by his mother.
 His orchestral compositions are best represented by the SUITE PASTORADE
(1956)
 His other compositions include songs , as well as pieces for
violin,cello,piano, and chorus
 His works for the Symphony Band were his most profilic and productive,
both as a composer and conductor.
 He’s musical prowess was internationally recognized when he was invited
to be a judge at the PRESTIGIOUS VAN CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL PIANO
COMPETITION in 1980
 He was declared NATIONAL ARTIST FOR MUSIC IN 1991
 He died on March 31,2002
ROSENDO E. SANTOS JR.
 He was born on September 3, 1992 in Caridad Cavite City.
 At age 11, He started COMPOSING BAND MARCHES,INSTRUMENTAL and
VOCAL SCORES as well as music for catholic masses.
 He studied in CAVITE SCHOOLS and later graduated from the UP
CONSERVATORY MUSIC where he eventually became a FACULTY MEMBER.
 He also pursued a MASTER OF MUSIC DEGREE IN THEORY AND
COMPOSITION from the CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA in
WASHINGTON DC.
 He also served on its faculty as well as in WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY and
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
 As UNESCO scholarship, he was awarded the “ PHILIPPINE COMPOSER OF
THE CENTURY” after receiving the “COMPOSER OF THE YEAR AWARD” in
MANILA in 1956 and 1957
 He joined the faculty at WILKES UNIVERSITY,PENNSYLVANIA in 1968. He
performed as TIMPANIST,PIANIST, and CONDUCTOR WITH SEVERAL
ORCHESTRA GROUPS.
 He also conducted church choirs in MARYLAND, NEW JERSEY, LEHMAN,
HUNTSVILLE, and SHAVERTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES in
PENNYSLVANIA USA.
 He composed the background music for J. ARTHUR RANK FILMS AT
PINEWOOD SRUDIOUS IN LONDON, ENGLAND where he worked with
COMPOSERS MALCOLM ARNOLD AND MUIRMATHIESON.
 Among Santos’ teachers were famous composers AARON COPLAND,IRVING
FINE,HUMPHREY SEARLE,and conductor NORMAN DEL MAN.
 A prolific composer, he had composed several piano concerti, sonatas,
symphonies, symphonic poems, five operas in Filipino, numerous band
overtures, and more than 200marches.
 He had also written 50 masses in LATIN and 20 in ENGLISH.
 He has more than 1,000 musical compositions in the library of the
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES . Santos’last musical work and only ballet
composition, MELINDA’S MASQUERADE, was performed in 1995, a year
after his death.

 He died on November 4 ,1994 in in Swoyersville,Pennsylvania, USA.

ALFREDO SANTOS BUENAVENTURA
 He was born on October 14, 1929 in Sta. Maria Bulacan.
 He grew up in a musical environment and became a band member in his
hometown at a young age.
 He was drawn by his fascination with TRUMPETS AND TROMBONES and
became one of its arrangers and conductors.
 He was one of TWENTY BOY SOPRANOS OF TIPLETS AT STO. DOMINGO
CHURCH from where he received his first SIGNIFICANT MUSICAL TRAINING.
At that time, healso wrote his first composition,DANZA .
 A prolific composer, Buenaventura has composed over 50 major works
including FIVEFULL-LENGTH OPERAS,OPERATTAS,DANCE
DRAMAS,CANTATAS,SYMPHONIES,CONCERTOS,BALLETS,OVERTURES,PRELU
DE,FUGUES,and CHAMBER MUSIC His compositions and other creative
works have transcended TERRITORIAL,RACIAL, AND LANGUAGE BARRIERS
as these have been performed abroad by INTERNATIONAL VIRTUOSI AND
RELIGIOUS GROUP.
 Many of his compositions are based on Filipino HEROES,LEGENDS AND
EPICS He uses native songs, both tribal and folk, as themes of his music
compositions.
 A number of his compositions are accompanied by Filipino INDIGENOUS
INSTRUMENT.
 Some of his major works include the operas MARIA MAKILING (1961),
DIEGO SILANG (1966), PRINSESA URDUHA(1969), cantatas ANG ATING
WATAWAT(1965), PASKO NG BARANGGAY (1964), three piano concertos
subtitled Celebration, Determination, and Exultation, and symphonies such
as DAKILANG LAHI (1971), GOMBURZA (1981), and RIZAL THE GREAT
MALAYAN ANTAGONIST (1990).
 He became an OFFICIAL ORGANIST of the Manila Cathedral in 1960. He
became the DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF MUSIC, CENTRO ESCOLAR
UNIVERSITY. He is a member of the LEAGUE OF FILIPINO COMPOSERS.
 He received a number of awards in the music industry. e was twice an
awardee of the REPUBLIC CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARD and the THE
OUTSTANDING FILIPINO AWARD (TOFIL) for Music in 1995.
RAYMUNDO CIPRIANO PUJANTE
CAYABYAB

 Ryan Cayabyab( born Raymundo Cipriano Pujante Cayabyab) on May 4,

1954 in Manila, Philippines
 Also known as Mr. C, is a Filipino musician, composer and conductor.
 He was the Executive and Artistic Director for several years for the defunct
San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts.
 He was named a National Artist of the Philippines in 2018. He is the
executive director of the Philpop MusicFest Foundation Inc., the
organization behind the Philippine Popular Music FestivalThis songwriting
competition for amateurs and professionals puts the spotlight on
songwriters and encourages Filipinos to preserve their unique musical
identity.