Famous

Filipino
Composers
 Levi Celerio
• He wrote 4000 songs and remained poor. But that is
something every man of his kind takes pride of.

• His compositions range from Filipino folk songs to

Christmas songs to love songs.

• His name was placed in the Guinness Book of World

Records for his leaf-playing feat.

• He was known as the only man who could play music

with a leaf.
• He died on April 2, 2002.
Christmas songs: Pasko na Naman, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, and
Misa de Gallo.
Love songs: Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Kahit Konting Pagtingin,
Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan, and Ikaw.
Folk songs: Ang Pipit, Tinikling, Tunay na Tunay, Itik-Itik, Waray-
Waray, Pitong Gatang, Ako ay May Singsing, Alibangbang,
Alembong, Galawgaw, Caprichosa, Ang Tapis Ni Inday,
Dungawin Mo Hirang, Umaga na Neneng, Ikaw Kasi and Basta't
Mahal Kita.
His best songs combine great poetry, philosophy and passion. These
are O Maliwanag na Buwan, Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak, Sa Ugoy ng
Duyan, Bagong Pagsilang and Sapagkat Kami'y Tao Lamang.
Levi also wrote nationalistic songs such as Ang Bagong Lipunan,
Lupang Pangarap, and Tinig ng Bayan. Imagine the world without
these songs, and the Philippines would have been less known for its
happy, romantic and enthusiastic people.
 Julián Felipe
• A dedicated music teacher and composer,
he was appointed by then-President Emilio
Aguinaldo as Director of the National
Band of the First Philippine Republic. He
died
in Manila.
• As the composer of the music of the
Filipino national anthem, now
known as Lupang Hinirang.
 NICANOR ABELARDO
“Father of Filipino Sonata”
• Abelardo was a prolific composer of the
kundiman in the 1920s. His works Bituing
Marikit, sarsuela, Dakilang Punglo, Kundiman ng
Luha, Mutya Ng Pasig and ''Nasaan Ka Irog?''
had stirring, poetic lyrics which later evolved into
movie theme songs.
•Tribute
•His composition ''Naku… Kenkoy!" (1930) combines the fox-trot
and waltz with humor. Used as a tribute to
thekomiks character, Kenkoy, His works have continued to draw
interest even after his death in 1934.
He composed more than 144 songs.
 Antonio J. Molina
Antonio J. Molina (1894-1980) was a National Artist
of the Philippines. A musical great, he was considered
the peer of two other great Filipino musicians Nicanor
Abelardo and Francisco Santiago. His talent was
prodigious: he was the first violoncellist of pre-war
times, a composer, conductor, pedagogue, and music
administrator.

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, among others.
A true pioneer, he was one of the first composers to incorporate pentatonic scales
and ethnic instruments such as the kulintang, and gabbang in his symphonies.
 George Canseco
• Multi-awarded composer Canseco had no formal training in
music.
• When Martial Law was declared in 1972, he turned to
composing songs. His first composition was “I Will Never Be
Yours,” followed by “You’re all I Love.”
•“Kapantay ay Langit” paved the way to numerous hit songs like
"Kailangan Kita," "Ako Ang Nagwagi, Ako Ang Nasawi," "Ngayon At
Kailanman," "Dito Ba" and "Tubig at Langis ."
•Canseco’s songs have helped most of our talented performers’ rise
to fame. He has composed hits for singers like Basil Valdez, Kuh
ledesma, Sharon Cuneta, Dulce, and Pilita Corrales
•He has won a total of 6 FAMAS Awards for Best Movie Theme
Song.the Artistic Achievement Award.
•He was paid 1.5 million my Pres. Marcos for composing the song
“Ako Ay Pilipino. “
•He composed more than 193 songs.
 Francisco Santiago
•The Father of Kundiman Art Song
•He was born in Santa Maria, Bulacan, on January 29, 1889
•to musically-minded peasant parents. In 1908,

•Santiago's masterpiece was the “cocerto de B flat minor" for pianoforte

and orchestra. His most famous piece "Kundiman, (Anak-Dalita)", was
sung upon the request of King Alfonso XIII before the Royal Court of
Spain.

•His other compositions are the kundiman "Sakali Man", "Hibik ng

Filipinas", "Pakiusap", "Ang Pag-ibig", "Suyuan", "Alaala Kita", "Ikaw at
Ako", "Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran?", "Hatol Hari Kaya?", "Sakali't Mamatay",
"Dalit ng Pag-ibig", "Aking Bituin", "Madaling Araw" and "Pagsikat ng
Araw".

•He was named UP Emeritus Professor of Piano, on May 25, 1946. The
nationalistic musician died of heart attack on September 28, 1947.
Freddie Aguilar
-Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar
-February 5, 1953 (age 55)
-Singer-songwriter (composed 44 songs)
-known works: “anak”, “Bulag, Pipi at Bingi,”
“Magdalena”, “Olongapo,” “bayan ko”, “Trabaho,”
and “Estudyante Blues.”
Anak, This song about parents’ unconditional love fo r
a wayward son was released in 56 countries and r
translated into more than 26 foreign languages.
-“Bayan Ko” (theme song of anti-Marcos protesters )
-awards: Cecil Awards for Folk Vocal Performance,
Asia Star Award from the Korea .

He composed more than 100 songs.

Joey Ayala
-a contemporary pop music artist
-Songwriter and columnist
-an Economics graduate of the Ateneo de
Davao University
-combines the sounds of Filipino ethnic
instruments with modern pop music.
-uses indigenous string instruments and
modern instruments like electric guitar,
bass guitar and drums
-known works: “tabi po”, "Walang
Hanggang Paalam" , "Wala Nang Tao Sa
Santa Filomena."
-Awards:Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Award for
Social Artistry, Datu Bago Award,TOYM
Apo Hiking Society
-Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society
-famous group was organized in 1969
-originaly composed of 13 members
-ateneo de manila highschool
-Daniel “Danny” Javier, 57, Jaime
Ramon “Jim” Paredes, 53; and Jose
“Boboy” Garovillo, 53.
-distinct Filipino culture and style
-known works:“Mahirap Magmahal ng
Syota ng Iba,” “Pumapatak ang
Ulan,”
“Nakapagtataka”, “doobidoo”
-awards:The Best Group “cited by the
Awit Awards”
Gary Granada
-born in 1960 in Maco Davao
(Compostela Valley)
-finished valedictorian at Maco
Heights and Maryknoll schools.
-Metallurgical Engineering, University
of the Philippines (kicked out of U.P.
and has no college diploma)
-known works: “Dam”, “Bahay”,
“Mabuti pa sila”
-works as voice and on-cam talent for
PCIJ, DED,ABS-CBN, PROCESS,
GMA Network and Ad Agencies
 WILLY CRUZ

Cruz's compositions "Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi" and "I'll

Never Ever Say Goodbye" respectively helped
make Didith Reyes and Nonoy Zuñiga popular.
More accessible

He also did the theme songs for the movies "Kung

Mahawi man ang Ulap," "Maging Akin Ka Lamang,"
"Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga," and "Himala Ng Pag-Ibig."
And his compositions, "Bituing Walang Ningning,"
"Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas," "Bukas Luluhod ang mga
Tala" and "Oras-Oras, Araw-Araw" made their mark
because the melodramatic progression of the ballads
made Sharon Cuneta more accessible to the masses.
 Ryan Cayabyab
• He is the most popular Filipino composer of modern
times. Through the years, Ryan Cayabyab has gone into
jazz, theater, and pop to cover all listening bases. He
even incorporated ethnic music in “Misa,” “Kapinangan,”
and “Maria Makiling.”
• But like other composers, He endeared himself to the
public through his radio-friendly compositions like “Araw
Gabi,” “Iduyan Mo,” “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika,”
“Kailan,” “Kumukutikutitap,” “Minsan ang Minahal ay
Ako,” “Liman-Dipang Tao,” “Wala Kang Katulad,” and
“Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka.”
• Cayabyab’s works are often praised for their poetic yet
easy to grasp word play mirroring the plight of the
common people.
• He composed more than 400 songs and still counting.
Jose Mari Chan
• Jose Mari Chan (born March 11, 1945) is
a Chinese Filipino singer, songwriter and
businessman in the sugar industry.
• Among his famous songs were “Tell me your
name”, “Christmas in our hearts”, “Beautiful
Girl” and “Constant change”.
• He is known for his “Beautiful Girl” and become
one of the most-respected and most-enduring
singer-songwriter of the country. He is the only
singer/composer/producer that has been
bestowed lifetime achievement awards
Ely Buendia
-Eleandre Basiño Buendía
-born November 2, 1970-
-University of the Philippines, Diliman
-writer and musician who gained
fame as guitarist, songwriter, and
lead vocalist in the popular
Pinoy rock band
-Eraserheads, The Mongols,
Pupil,
-known works: “Pare ko”, “Ang huling
El Bimbo”, “Ligaya”
-"The Beatles of the Philippines"
 Ogie Alcasid

• singer, songwriter, comedian,

composer, television host, actor,
and entrepreneur.
• His well known song were “Nandito
Ako , Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?,
Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Pangako Sa
yo’ and Ikaw Sana”.
 Yoyoy Villame
• Roman Villame, real name of Yoyoy,
went a long way from being a public
utility driver and a councilor from
Cebu before finally recording his
own music.
• Yoyoy was known for his catchy
novelty songs such as "Mag-
Exercise Tayo," "Si Filemon," "Hayop
Na Kombo," "Tarsan at Barok,"
"Philippine Geography," "Butsekik,"
among others.

•His long list of hits and his entertaining style of music

earned him the title of "King of Philippine Novelty
Songs“
 Lito
• Camo
Lito Camo is a Filipino singer and
songwriter. He established his reputation
more solidly as a composer instead of
being a singer which was his initial dream.
• Known for his novelty hits, he is dubbed as
reigning king of the novelty songs. He
turned artists into an instant sensation
because of his songs.
• Among his famous composition were, Pera
O Bayong, Bakit Papa, Spaghetti Song,
Ms. Flawless, Igiling-Giling, Bulaklak, lagot
ka!, In or Out, Wowowee, Dododo
Dadada, Giling-Giling and Nakaka...
Thank you for
listening