ANTONIO MOLINA

NATIONAL ARTIST FOR MUSIC

 Antonio J. Molina

Was born on December 26,

1894 in Quiapo, Manila. He is
first National Artist for Music.
He is considered one of the
‘’Triumvirate of Filipino
Composers’’ which includes
Nicanor Abelardo and
Francisco Santiago.
Son of Juan Molina, a government
official, who founded the Molina
Orchestra. And his Mother is Simeona
Naguiat. He began his music career as
an orchestral soloist at the manila
Grand Opera House. He went on to
serve 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
collage) of Music.
 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Molina finished his Elementary schooling at

the Escuela Catolica de Nuestra Padre Jesus
Nazareno in Quiapo. He continued high school and
college at Colegio de San Juan de Letran where he
obtained a bachelor of arts degree in 1909. He also
studied architectural design, landscape sketcing
and freehand drawing. In 1919 he enrolled at
the University of the Philippines (UP)
Conservatory of Music for a Teachers diploma.
His teachers included Nicanor Abelardo.
 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Complying with his father's wishes he

pursued a Bachelor of Laws initially at
the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
He transferred in his second year of law
studies to the 
Escuela de Derecho de Manila, where
he finished his studies. He attained a
teacher's diploma in violincello at the 
UP Conservatory of Music in 1923.
MUSICAL BACKGROUND (career)

He was a Filipino composer, conductor and

music administrator who was named a
National Artist of the Philippines. He was also
known as Claude Debussy of the Philippines
due to his use of impressionism in music.  At
12 Molino could play the violin. The
bandurria, mandolin, guitar, laud, bajo de unas
and octavina, and the cello all followed later. 
MUSICAL BACKGROUND (career)

His first composition was "Matinal" in 1912 and it is preserved in an

unpublished volume Miniaturas Volume I. He did a professional work,
as concert soloist, composer, and conductor in Hanoi, French Indochina
(now North Vietnam). Back in the Philippines, he was appointed to
teach harmony, composition, music history, and violincello at the 
UP Conservatory of Music. He was also the first Filipino composer
who was invited to perform his works to Malacañang. From being a
consultant in music education at the Bureau of Public Schools. He also
founded the first chamber music group, the CEU String Quartet which
was professionally organized and financed by its music school.
 As a composer Molina was credited with over 500 compositions,
including

 Hatinggabi, among earliest violin selections

 Malikmata, piano
 Ana Maria, zarzuela
 Misa Antoniana Grand Festival Mass
 Ang Batingaw, Kundiman- Kundangan; (chamber music)
 Kung sa Iyong Gunita, Pandangguhan; (vocal music)
 Amihan, Awit ni Maria Clara
 Larawan Nitong Pilipinas
 AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS
 Diploma of Honor, Manila Music Lovers Society, 1940
 Commemorative medal and diploma, Department of Education, Health and Public
Welfare, 1942
 “Choral Conductor of the Year” and “Music Researcher of the Year,” Music Lovers
Society, 1949
 Honorary doctor of laws, honoris causa, CEU, 1953
 Araw ng Maynila Award in music, 1969
 Phi Kappa Phi Award and the UP Alumni Association Professional Award, 1972
 Republic Cultural Heritage Award, in 1965 and 1972
 National Artist of the Philippines, on 12 June 1973
QUIZ
ANTONIO MOLINA
1. What was the name of Molina's first composition and when was it composed?
2. What university did Francisco Feliciano transfer to in his second year of law studies?
3. What was the name of Molina's father and what was his profession?
4. What is Molina known as and why?
5. Which other two Filipino composers are considered part of the "Triumvirate of
Filipino Composers" along with Molina?
6. Which educational institution did Molina attend for high school and college?
7. What degree did Molina obtain from Colegio de San Juan de Letran?
8. Which university did Molina obtain his teacher's diploma in violincello from in 1923?
9. What was the name of the first chamber music group founded by Molina and what
was its significance?
10. When was Molina named a National Artist of the Philippines?