In Philippine music, Buenaventura became a byword.

He was known not only as a fine composer, but

also a competent conductor and a dedicated educator. He came from a family in Baliuag, Bulacan, where
he was born on May 4, 1904 that is known as a family of fine musicians. Immediately after his graduation
with a Teacher’s Diploma in Music, major in Science and Composition in 1932 and earning his post
graduate diploma in Composition with German Prof. Jeno Von Tackacs as his mentor for 3 years, Col.
Buenaventura joined the U.P Conservatory as an assistant instructor.

When his mentor Nicanor Abelardo died in 1934, he was designated by Dr. Francisco Santiago, the dean
of the conservatory to take over Abelardo’s class. Some of the outstanding work that he wrote after
undertaking field research are the following Minuet (1937), which borrowed largely from Igorot tunes for
its thematic thrust, the popular Pandanggo sa Ilaw (1936), “Echoes from the Philippines,” Varations and
Fugere, Greetings and many others. Col. Buenaventura passed away on January 25, 1996, but his works
are continuously recognized all over the country for enriching Philippine music.

Pandanggo is a Philippine folk dance which has become popular in the rural areas of the Philippines. The
dance evolved from Fandango, a Spanish folk dance, which arrived in the Philippines during the Hispanic
period. The dance is accompanied by castanets.

1. Mindanao Sketches: This composition by Col. Antonio Buenaventura is a series of musical

sketches that depict various aspects of the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.

2. Divertimento for Piano and Orchestra: Col. Antonio Buenaventura’s Divertimento for Piano and
Orchestra is a lively and light-hearted musical piece designed for the piano and orchestra.

3. Variations and Fugue: This composition demonstrates Col. Antonio Buenaventura’s mastery of
musical form and structure.

4. Greetings: Greetings is a composition by Col. Antonio Buenaventura that may embody a warm
and welcoming character, perhaps intended as a musical expression of salutations or well-
wishes.

QUIZ

1. What was the name of his father?

2. What was the name of his mother?

3. What is his complete birthday?

4. At what grade did he studied solfeggo?

5. What age did he died?