Philippine Contemporary Music

From its indigenous origins to its modern incarnation, Philippine music has genuinely
developed. The music in the Philippines has grown overly Westernized over the
centuries and through various colonial influences, particularly during and after American
colonial rule. "Contemporary music in the Philippines usually refers to compositions that
have adopted ideas and elements from twentieth century art music in the West, as well
as the latest trends and musical styles in the entertainment industry. Contemporary
music in the Philippines refers to works that have included concepts and aspects from
20th century western art music as well as the most recent trends and musical styles in
the entertainment sector, according to National Artist Ramon Santos, PhD.
New music includes improvisational pieces like Dr. Ramon Santos's early works
Radyasyon and Quadrasyon; Josefino Samut-Sari by "Chino" Toledo, Terminal
Lamentations by Pintigan, Jonathan Baes" Wala, and Banwa.

Philippine Contemporary Composers

Francisco Buencamino Sr. • Francisco Santiago • Nicanor Abelardo • Antonio
Molina • Hilarion Rubio • Col. Antonino Buenaventura • Rodolfo Cornejo •
Lucio San Pedro • Rosendo Santos Jr. • Alfredo Buenaventura, and • Ryan
Cayabyab.
Among the major Philippine contemporary composers are Francisco
Santiago, Nicanor Abelardo, Antonio Molina, Col. Antonino Buenaventura,
Lucio San Pedro, Alfredo Buenaventura, and Ryan Cayabyab
Because so much of Constancio De Guzman's music was played on numerous TV
and radio programs, including the Maala-ala Mo Kaya segment on one of the
networks in television, he is known as the "Dean of Filipino Movie Composers and
Musical Directors." Some of his compositions include Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig, Sa
Lumang Simbahan, and Bayan Ko. Examine and discuss the sample music sheet
below, which is titled Bayan Ko and was written by Constancio DeGuzman.
Common instruments in contemporary classical music are strings, piano,
woodwinds, brass, and orchestral percussion instruments. However, there are
many examples of electric guitars as well as synthesizers in contemporary classical
music, especially in classical-influenced film scores.