20 Century Song Composers

th
Song Composer

Another category of 20th century Filipino musicians are the

well-known song composers and lyricists such as Levi
Celerio, Constancio de Guzman, Mike Velarde Jr., Ernani
Cuenco, Resie Umali, George Canseco, Angel Peña,
Leopoldo Silos Sr., and Santiago Suarez. Together, they
produced a memorable output of traditional Filipino love
songs, music for the movies, and materials for contemporary
arrangements and concert repertoire.
 Levi Celerio
(1910-2002)

Made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for being

the only person to make music with a mouth-blown leaf.
He also wrote the lyrics for over 4,000 songs, and received
numerous awards for his musical achievements in film.
He is a National Artist for Music and Literature.
Some of His Works

Ang Pipit (by Lucio D. San Pedro)

Bagong Pagsilang (by Felipe Padilla de Leon)
Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (by Lucio D. San Pedro)
Misa de Gallo (by J. Balita)
Itik-itik (folk song)
Tinikling (folk song)
Saan Ka Man Naroroon (by R. Umali)
Saan Ka Man Naroroon
 Constancio de Guzman
(1903-1982)

The composer of the nationalistic song Bayan Ko.

Acknowledged as the “Dean of Filipino Movie Composers
and Musical Directors”.
He became the music director of movie production
companies like Sampaguita, LVN, Royal, Excelsior, Lea, and
Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions.
Some of His Works

Ang Bayan Ko
Kung Kita’y Kapiling
Babalik Ka Rin
Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig
Birheng Walang Dambana
Maalala Mo Kaya
Sa Piling Mo
Ang Bayan Ko
 Mike Velarde Jr.
(1913-1986)

Was a composer, conductor, and musical director.

He composed the popular song Dahil Sa Iyo in 1938.
In 1975 the Philippine Government Cultural Association
awarded him the Cultural Achievement Award in Popular
Music.
He received the Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining in 1986
Some of His Works

Ikaw
Lahat ng Araw
Habang Buhay
Minamahal Kita
Ikaw ay Akin
Ikaw
 Santiago Suarez
(1901-1964)

Was an accomplished composer of traditional Filipino love

songs.
His compositions are a mixture of the soulful kundiman style
and the lively strains of the countryside.
His harmonies follow the traditional classical progression,
making his compositions easy to understands without the
complexities of form and structure.
Some of His Works

Dungawin Mo Hirang
Bakya Mo Neneng
Caprichosa
Sa Libis ng Nayon
Kataka-taka
Kataka-taka
 Restie Umali
(1916-1998)

A composer, teacher, and musical arranger.

He arranged the Philippine national anthem and the local
classic Kataka-taka for the Boston Pops Orchestra when it
performed for the Philippine Independence Night in Boston
in 1972.
He wrote a total of more or less 120 movie theme songs, and
composed more than 250 scores for movies.
Some of His Works

Saan Ka Man Naroroon

Alaala ng Lumipas
Ang Pangarap Ko’y Ikaw
Sa Libis ng Bario
Di Ka Nag-iisa
Paano Kita Lilimutin
Ang Pangarap Ko’y Ikaw
 Angel Peña
(1921-2014)

Was a classical and jazz composer, musical arranger, and

bass player.
He is widely considered by modern Filipino jazz musicians
as “one of the founders of traditional jazz in the Philippines.”
Some of His Works

Igorot Rhapsody
Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra
Concerto for Jazz Quartet and Orchestra
Symphonic Variations on Two Manobo Themes
"Iyo Kailan Pa Man" with words by Levi Celerio.
Iyo Kailan Pa Man
 Ernani Cuenco
(1936-1988)

A composer, film scorer, musical director, and musical teacher.

His works embodied the Filipino sense of musicality, with the
classical sound of the kundiman eveident in many of his
ballads.
To this day, his compositions continue to be popular and well-
loved.
He is a National Artist for Music
Some of His Works

Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal

Bato sa Buhangin
Nahan
Kahit na Magtiis
Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa
Pilipinas, Inang Bayan
Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal
 George Canseco
(1934-2004)

Was considered “a nationally acclaimed composer of

numerous popular Filipino classics.”
He composed songs for some of the country’s top popular
singers such as Sharon Cuneta, Basil Valdez, Regine
Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pilita Corales, Martin Nievera,
and Kuh Ledesma.
He also served as President of the Filipino Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP)
Some of His Works

Ikaw
Kailangan Kita
Dito Ba
Hiram
Tubig at Langis
Sana Bukas Pa ang Kahapon
Sinasamba Kita
Kastilyong Buhangin
Kailangan Kita
 Leopoldo Silos Sr.
(1925-2015)

Was a composer, singer, and musical arranger.

He composed and recorded romantically soulful songs.
He was the award-winning musical director of the television
musical program Aawitan Kita.
Some of His Works

Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak

Hindi Kita Malimot
Aling Kutsero
Mundo Ma’y Mawala
Basta’t Mahal Kita
Diyos Lamang ang Nakakaalam
Hindi Ko Malilimutan
Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak
Fin.
Activity
1. Discuss, in paragraph form, the lives and musical
contributions of ONE of the the following 20th century
Filipino song composers

A.Levi Celerio
B.Constancio De Guzman
C.Mike Velarde Jr.
D.Santiago Suarez
E. Restie Umali
F. Angel Peña
G.Ernani Cuenco
H.George Canseco
2. For the composer that you chose in item number 1, give
the title of at least 2, of his compositions. You may use the
format given.

Chosen Composer Title of Any Composition

_______________ _________________________________________________________________________