National Artists

for Music
 Antonio R. Buenaventura [1904-1996]
Year of Conferment:1998

 He popularized folksongs by
creatingmusic based on the wide
array of folksongs from various ethnic
groups in the Philippines

 He brought the Philippine Army Band back to its

former glory, which was recognized as 'The only
band that can sound like a symphony orchestra.'

Echoes of the Past

 His notable works include:
Ode to Freedom,Echoes of the Past,Echoes from
the Philippines,History fantasy,and Triumphal
March.
 Ernani J. Cuenco
[1936-1988]
Year of Conferment:1999

 Had written 'An outstanding and

memorable body of works that
resonates with the Filipino sense of
musicality and which embodies an
ingenious voice that raises the
aesthetic dimentions of contemporary
Filipino music'
 Cuenco's repertoire as a musician Also known for his Filipino love ballads
include being a music teacher,a such as 'Kalesa', 'Bato sa
composer, a musical director, and a Buhangin','Gaano kita kamahal', and '
film scorer. Inang Bayan' which were enhanced by
He composed music for the films adding the elements of Kundiman to
Wild ,Wild Jess and El Vibora which earned the song. Inang Bayan
him the Best Music Award at MMFF in
1982 and FAMAS awards.
Jovita Fuentes
[1895-1978]
Year of Conferment:1976

 In 1976, she made Philipine history

by being given the honor as the
First Female National artist for Music

 Trained to play
the piano at the
age of five ,  Before Lea Salonga became a
famous Italian Broadway and West End
singer Salvina Superstar, Jovita Fuentes
Fornari mentored performed roles in major
her to be a star. productions such as Mimi in
Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème
and Princess Yang Gui Fe in LiTai
Pe.
Her role in the New York
production of Madama
Butterfly was one of her
proud moments
 Jose Maceda
[1917-2004]
Year of Conferment:1997

• A highly acclaimed Filipino composer

and ethnomusicologist.

• Have training in music,cultural

anthropology ,legend performance
studies , dance and cultural studies.
Making the understanding of such
music interdisciplinary.
• Other compositions:
• His works have resulted in a vast 'Ugnayan', 'Aroding', and '
collection of recorded music taken Suling-suling'
from the remotest regions in the
country.
Suling-suling
• The most of his compositions were
performed as a communal ritual.
Such as 'Ugma-ugma', 'Pagsamba',
and 'Udlot-udlot'
Lucio D. San Pedro
[1913-2002]
Year of Conferment:1991

An educator, master conductor , and a

brilliant composer.
'Evoked the folk elements of the Filipino
heritage'

Some of his popular works include

Led local bands such as the Banda
Angono Numero Uno, San Pedro band
of Angono , and the Peng Kong Grand
Mason Concert Band as master
conductor
The Devil's Bridge (orchestral music) ,
'Sa mahal kong bayan' (choral music),
'Lahing kayumanggi'(band music) and
'Sa ugoy ng duyan' (vocal music and a
famous Filipino lullaby)

'Sa ugoy ng duyan'

Levi Celerio
[1910-2002]
Year of Conferment:1997

A highly talented lyricist, with more than

4000 songs under his name.
He was also known as an excellent leaf
player, using a leaf to create music as
cited by the Guinnes Book of World
records.

A famous lyricist for love songs such as

'Saan ka man naroroon' and 'Ikaw'.
Misa de Gallo
He also wrote some of the most well-
liked Christmas songs such as 'Misa de
Gallo' and 'Pasko na naman'
Felipe Padilla De Leon
[1912-1992]
Year of Conferment: 1991

A multitalented musician who was a

composer, a conductor,and a scholar.
His works have 'Filipinized Western Music
forms'

De Leon's body of works include

concertos,sonatas, and marches of Mariang Makiling Overture
which often described how Filipinos (Song#6)
express their feelings and aspirations in
times of strife and peace.

Some of maestro's notable works inlude ‘ Hatinggabi ‘

'Mariang Makiling Overture ‘,‘Orchestertuk’, (taught by Antonio Molina)
'Lupang Tinubuan' and the opera adaptation
Noli Me Tangere'
Lucrecia R. Kasilag
[1917-2008]
Year of Conferment:1989

She was a renowned Filipino

composer.

She creates the Bayanihan Folk Arts

Center .For research and theatrical
presentations that urges to
integrate native Filipino instruments
in orchestral productions.
She popularized the following
orchestral music:
Her Son, Jose, Sisa, and the
Legend of Sarimanok.
Antonio J. Molina
[1894-1980]
Year of conferment: 1973

Dean of Filipino Composers.

At a young age he learned to
play the Violoncello. He
performed at the Manila
Grand Opera.

He popularized the following:

‘Kung sa iyong Gunita’, ‘Awit ni
Maria Clara’, and
‘Larawan nitong Pilipinas’
Andrea O. Veneracion
[1928-2013]
Year of Conferment: 1999

She founded the Philippine

Madrigal Singers.

She was also the creator of the

Asian Institute For Liturgy and
Music (AILM) Chorale.
Francisco Feliciano
[1941-2014]
Year of Conferment:2014

He was a prolific composer of

over 30 major works. He studied
music composition at the
University of the Philippines, the
Hochschule der Kuenste in Berlin
Germany and the Yale University
School of Music.

He was mentored by Internationally He composed operas including:

renowned conductors and composers
such as Martin Behrmann, Jacob
Druckman,Isang Yun, H.W. Zimmerman
and Krystof Penderecki.
He received the John D.
Rockefeller award in Music
composition in 1977.
‘La loba Negra’, ‘Ashen Wings’,
‘sikhay sa Kabla ng Paalam’ (Beyond
the Farewell) , and ‘Yerma’
An Excerpt from the opera
La Loba Negra