Ernani J.

Cuenco
At an early age of six years,
ing in piano and violin Ernani J. Cuenco had his musical train
Doña Belen Aldaba of Malolos, under the supervision of his
teachers of the province at that Bulacan, Tutored under thegrandnother,
Ernani practiced these instrumentstime, Doña Belen made it a best music
point that
at scheduled hours
finishing his elementary education, Ernani everyday.
Santo Tomas High School and at the same timeenrolled at the UniversityAfter
of
of Music. At the Conservatory he at the U.S.T, Conservatory
Anguita and the violin under the studied piano under Prof. Julio Esteban
graduated Bachelor of Music, majortutelage
in
of Prof. Ramon Mendoza. He
undertalke and finish his Masters Degree atPiano in 1956, then went on to
the Sta, Isabel College. Granted
a scholarship by the University of Sto.
Tomas
Prof. Modesto Maiquez and finished in 1964. inHe Cello, he studied under
Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Dr.wasHerbert a member of the
the Manila Chamber ofSoloists under Prof. Oscar Yatco. Zipper and
During the early sixties, Ernani and a group of friends
small ensemble and performed nightly in one organized a
of the more exclusive res
taurants in Makati. It was here where Mayor Joseph Estrada, impressed by
the musical arrangements of Ernani, gave him his
musical director for one of his movie productions, From first opportunity as
then on other
movie producers and directors availed themselves of his services as musical
director.
Ernani received his first award for Best Musical Scoring for the
movie ""EI Vibora" in 1972 during the 1st Manila Film Festival, The fol
lowing year during the 1973 Manila Film Festival, he again won the
Best Musical Scoring Award for the movie
Pedro Penduko." In 1975, he received his "Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig
first FAMAS Award for the
ni
movie "Diligin Mo Ng Hamog Ang Uhaw Na Lupa'" a production of Mayor
Joseph Estrada, His song "Bato Sa Buhangin'" was chosen the Best Theme
Song tor 1976 and again he received the FAMAS Award. He received his
3rd FAMAS Award for Best Musical Scoring for the movie "Bakya Mo
Neneng", also a Mayor Joseph Estrada Production, in 1978.
Ernani has composed innumerable songs most of which have been
utilized as theme songs for movies. One of his compositions, "Gaano Ko
Ikaw Kamahal'", was selected by no less than two of the Philippines
leading sopranos, Conching Rosal and Evelyn Mandac of international
fame, for their recent concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines held
last June, 1978. They commissioned him to arrange his composition for duet.
This. piece was the highlight of the concert and was dedicated to the
First Couple of the Philippines.
Thrice FAMAS awardee and voted Outstanding Alumnus of the U.S.T.
in the field of Music for 1977, Ernani J. Cuenco, in order to keep abreast
with the fast progress in musical techniques and education and to main
tain his deep commitment to teaching and training the youth in music,
is also presently a faculty member of the U.S.T, Conservatory of Music.

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