CONTEMPORARY

PHILIPPINE
MUSIC
According to National Artist Ramon Santos,
PhD, “contemporary music in the Philippines
refers to compositions that have adopted
ideas and elements from 20th century art
music in the west, as well as the latest trends
and musical styles in the entertainment
industry.”
The modern Filipino repertoire consists of
musical pieces that have been written in 20th
century idioms that have evolved out of such
stylistic movements as impressionism,
expressionism, neo-classicism, as well as
avant garde and new music.
 20th CENTURY TRADITIONAL
COMPOSERS

With Spain and then America having colonized the

Philippines from the early 1500s to the late 1800s, it was
unavoidable that Western compositional techniques found
their way into the works of Filipino composers. Yet, even
20th century Filipino composers have managed to retain
some traditional elements in their assimilation of Western
techniques. In fact, they have become the strongest
foundations of what we now know as Philippine music.
Major Philippine Contemporary Composers

• FRANCISCO SANTIAGO
• ANTONIO J. MOLINA
• COL. ANTONINO BUENAVENTURA
• FELIPE PADILLA DE LEON SR.
• LUCIO SAN PEDRO
• CIPRIANO “RYAN” CAYABYAB
 Francisco Santiago
(1889 – 1947)

• Known as the “Father of the Kundiman”

and belongs to the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers.”
• He finished his music specialization at the American 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 several works such as kundiman, symphonies, piano
concertos, and
other music pieces for the piano, violin, and voice.
 Santiago’s Compositions

 Kundiman (Anak  Sakali Man

Dalita)  Ano Kaya ang
 Himutok Kapalaran?
 Pakiusap  Pilipinas Kong Mahal
 Madaling Araw
 Antonio Molina
(1894 – 1980)

• The “first National Artist for Music”.

• considered one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers”
which includes Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco Santiago.
• He began his music career as an orchestral soloist at the Manila
Grand Opera House.
• He served as Dean of the Centro Escolar University
Conservatory of Music from 1948 to 1970.
• He was also a faculty member of the University of the Philippines’
Conservatory (now College) of Music.
• He was fascinated by the dynamics and harmonies of Debussy,
but retained much of the Romantic style in his melody.
Molina’s Compositions
orchestral music :
 Misa Antoniana Grand Festival Mass vocal music :
 Ang Batingaw  Amihan
 Kundiman-Kundangan  Awit ni Maria Clara
 Hatinggabi  Larawan Nitong Pilipinas.

chamber music :
 String Quartet
 Kung sa Iyong Gunita,
 Pandangguhan
 COL. ANTONINO BUENAVENTURA
(1904 – 1996)

• Col. Antonino Ramirez Buenaventura was a renowned

composer, conductor, and teacher.
• His father Lucio was the chief musician of the Spanish
artillery band in Intramuros and founder of Banda Buenaventura.
• developed his musical abilities at the Conservatory of Music, University
of the Philippines (UP) at the age of 19.
• Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco Santiago were among his famous
mentors.
• Buenaventura was actively involved with the various military bands
which ultimately earned him his military rank of Colonel.
• He was a music instructor and band conductor of the Philippine Military
Academy (PMA).
 Buenaventura’s
Compositions
 Minuet  Variations
 Mindanao and Fugue
Sketches
 Pandanggo
 Divertimento for
Piano and sa Ilaw
Orchestra
 FELIPE PADILLA DE LEON SR.
(1912 – 1992)

• Born on May 1, 1912 in Barrio Papaya

(now General Tinio) in Penaranda, 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.
• Bayani and Felipe Jr., are two of his children.
• Bayani is a well-known composer, and Felipe Jr. is a writer and the
chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
(NCCA).
• He was known as a nationalist composer who expressed the
Philippines' cultural identity through his compositions.
 De Leon’s Compositions

 Bulaklak Alitaptap  Pasko Na Naman

 Bagong Lipunan (1965)
 Payapang Daigdig
 Kay Tamis ng Buhay
 Noche Buena (1965)
 Sapagkat Mahal Kita
 LUCIO SAN PEDRO
(1913 – 2002)

• Born on February 11, 1913 in Angono, Rizal.

• Since his elementary days, he started composing.
• He later pursued his music degree at the University of the
Philippines and the Juilliard School in New York, USA.
• Upon returning to the Philippines, he became a professor of theory
and composition at the University of the Philippine College of
Music.
• known as a “romantic nationalist.
• He incorporated Philippine folk elements in his compositions with
Western forms and harmony.
San Pedro’s Compositions
 Sa Ugoy ng Duyan
 Suite Pastorale
 Lahing Kayumanggi
 CIPRIANO “RYAN” CAYABYAB
(1954- )

• Cayabyab was born on May 4, 1954 in

Manila.
• He obtained his Bachelor of Music
degree at the University of the
Philippines’ College of Music.
• After which, he became a faculty
member for Composition at the same
University.
• His compositional style makes much
use of syncopation, extended chords,
and chromatic harmony.
Cayabyab’s Compositions
 Kay Ganda ng Ating
Musika (1978)
 Misa
 Da Coconut Nut,
 Four Poems for
 Alikabok, Soprano and Piano
 Spoliarium  TeDeum
 Kumukuti-kutitap  Limang Dipang Tao