According to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, a government agency responsible for the

culture in the Philippines, Molina is credited for introducing the whole tone scale, linear counterpoint,
pentatonic scale, and exuberance of dominant ninths and eleventh cords especially in local Filipino
music. Antonio Jesús Naguiat Molina (December 26, 1894 – January 29, 1980) was a Filipino composer,
conductor and music administrator. He was named a National Artist of the Philippines for his services to
music. He was also known as the Claude Debussy of the Philippines due to his use of impressionist
themes in music.

Early life

Molina was born on December 26, 1894, in Quiapo, Manila, the son of Juan Molina, a government
official, who founded the Molina Orchestra.[1]: 147 He attended the Escuela Catolica de Nuestro Padre
Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila, and college at San Juan De Letran where he was awarded a Bachelor
of Arts degree in 1909.

Musical career

Molina made his first composition in 1912 titled Matinal, which is preserved in an unpublished volume
called Miniaturas, Vol. 1.[1]: 147 He was appointed to teach harmony, composition, music history, and
violincello at the UP Conservatory of Music, pursuing a career in music education until being appointed
dean of the Centro Escolar Conservatory of Music. He founded the CEU String Quartet which was
professionally organized and financed by its music school.

As a composer Molina is credited with over 500 compositions. Not only that, he also taught musical
composers such as Felipe Padilla de Leon and Lucresia Kasilag, who would later became Philippine
National Artists themselves.[2]