Objectives:

a) Understand the lives and musical contributions

of the 20th century traditional composers
b) Appreciate the musical compositions of the 20th
century Filipino composers
c) Identify the music composition of Philippine
contemporary composers
Let’s play a game;
NAME THE SONG
 What is 20th Century Traditional
Composers?
With the European and American influences brought by our
country's colonizers early from 1500s to the late 1800s, it was
inevitable that the musical styles of 20th century Western
composers found their way into Philippine compositions.
12 major Philippine Contemporary Composers
who used Traditional Styles

Francisco Buencamino Sr., Francisco Santiago,

Nicanor Abelardo, Antonio Molina, Hilarion Rubio,
Col. Antonio Buenaventura, Rodolfo Cornejo, Felipe
P. de Leon Sr., Lucio San Pedro, Rosendo Santos Jr.,
Alfredo Buenaventura, and Ryan Cayabyab
Francisco Beltran Buencamino Sr. (1883-1952)

• He was born on November 5, 1883 in Bulacan.

• His father was Fortunato Buencamino a church
organist and bandmaster.
• His mother was Luisa Beltran a noted singer.
• He passed away on October 16, 1952 after
which a posthumous award honored him with
the title “Outstanding Composer”
• Francisco founded the Centro Escolar de Señoritas,
Conservatory of Music, as well as the Buencamino Music
Academy in 1930.
• Many of his piano works have become staples in the
Philippine repertoire of today's performers, specially Mayon,
Larawan, and Maligayang Bati.
• He also ventured into musical direction and scoring for films
as well as composing several zarzuelas and kundiman.
Buencamino's compositions include;

Harana, Pandanggo ni Neneng, Collar de Sampaguita, Dulces las

Horas, Mayon (Fantasia de Concierto), My Soul's Lament,
Larawan, Marzuka, Boholana, Mi bandera, Prinsesa ng
Kumintang, Maligayang Bati, Ang Bukang Liwayway,
Pandanggo ni Neneng, Ang Bagong Balitaw, Himig ng Nayon,
Damdamin (Romance) and Pizzcato Caprice.
Larawan by Francisco
Buencamino Sr.
Francisco S. Santiago (1889-1947)
Francisco Santiago Santiago, PhD
• Born on January 29, 1889 in Santa Maria,
Bulacan.
• His parents was musically inclined Felipe
Santiago and Maria Santiago. He was known as
the “Father of the Kundiman” and belongs to
the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers.”
• His a style of music was romantic incorporating
Western forms and techniques with folk
materials.
• He died on September 28, 1947
• Among his famous works are Pakiusap, Madaling Araw and
Kundiman (Anak Dalita)
• He became the first Filipino Director of the Conservatory
of Music University of the Philippines.

Santiago's compositions inclined;

Sakali Man, Hikbi ng Pilipinas, Ano kaya ang Kapalaran, Leron
Leron Sinta, Manileña, and Pilipinas Kong Mahal.
Pilipinas Kong Mahal by
Francisco Santiago
Nicanor S. Abelardo (1893-1934)
Nicanor Santa Ana Abelardo
• was born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan on
February 7, 1893
• He is a 20th century modern composer also a
composer in the Romantic style.
• He was one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino
Composers Cultural Center of the
Philippines” (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo)
and College of Music in UP Diliman (N.
Abelardo Hall)
• He died on March 21, 1934
Abelardo's composition inclined;

Mutya ng Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog, Cavatina for Violoncello, and

Magbalik Ka Hirang.
Mutya ng Pasig by Nicanor
Abelardo
Antonio J. Molina (1894-1980)
Antonio J. Molina
• He was born on December 26, 1894 in Quiapo,
Manila
• He is the first National Artist of Music
• He is considered “One of the Triumvirate of
Filipino Composers”
• He is an Orchestral soloist at the Manila Grand
Opera House
• He went to serve as Dean of the Centro Escolar
University Conservatory of Music from 1948-
1970.
• His composition product of both Romantic and
Impressionist styles came to be known as the “Father of
Philippine Impressionist Music”
• He was fascinated by the dynamics and harmonies of
Debussy but retain much of the Romantic style in his melody.
• A characteristically impressionist work is his piano
composition Malikmata (Transfiguration)
• His several composition for piano violin and voice as well as
a Spanish style opera form known as zarzuela.
• He passed away on January 29, 1980 and he received the
National Artist for Music Award in 1973.
Molina's compositions include;

Misa Antonia Grand Festival Mass, Ang Batingaw, Kundiman-

Kandungan, String Quartet, Kung sa Iyong Gunita,
Pandangguhan, Amihan, Awit ni Maria Clara, Larawan, Nitong
Pilipinas.
Hatinggabi by Antonio J.
Molina
Hilarion F. Rubio (1902- 1985)

Hilarion Francisco Rubio

• He was born on October 21, 1902 in Bacoor,
Cavite
• He is a composer, music teacher, conductor and
clarinetist, he created substantial works for the
orchestra.
• He served as conductor for opera, ballet, dance
recitals and movie music.
• He was appointed Director for the Conservatory of Music
Centro Escolar University in 1944-1945.
• He held various positions including Vice President of the
PASAMBAP (Pambansang Samahan ng mga Banda sa
Pilipinas)
• He was a conductor of the National Opera Company for 23
years from 1937-1960 and he passed away on December 28,
1985.
Rubio's compositions include;

Bulaklaken, Theme and Variations for Band, Dance of the

Nymphs Rondo, Florente at Laura, Halik, Danza, Unang Katas,
Two-part Invention, Ang konsyerto, Ang Magsasaka, Bukang
Liwayway, Concertino in C, Filipinas kong Mahal, Hatulan mo
Ako, Ginintuang Araw, In a Tropical Sea, Light, Narra, Mutya ng
Silangan, To the Filipino Youth, Nella, National Heroes Day
Hymn, and Salamisim.
Salamisim by Hilarion Rubio
Colonel Antonino R. Buenaventura (1904 1996)

Colonel Antonino Ramirez Buenaventura

• He was born on May 4, 1904 in Baliuag,
Bulacan.
• He was promoted Philippine Music by
extensively using folk materials in his works.
• He recorded folk and dance music around the
country with Ramon Tolentino and national artist
for dance Francisca Reyes Aquino.
• He restored the Philippine Constabulary Band in 1945
which was considered “One of the Military Band in the
World.”
• He is a National Artist for Music and passed away on
January 25, 1996.
Buenaventura’s composition inclined;

Minuet, Mindanao Sketches, Divertimento for Piano and

Orchestra, Variations and Fugue, Greetings based on Philippine
folk music, and Pandanggo sa Ilaw.
Pandanggo sa Ilaw by Col.
Antonino Buenaventura
Rodolfo S. Cornejo (1909-1991)
Dr. Rodolfo Soldevilla Cornejo
• He was born on May 15, 1909 in Singalong,
Manila
• He had his formal music lessons at the age of six,
he performed on stage after only 2 years of music
studies and he was also invited as organist of the
Pasay Catholic Church
• He was a founding member of the League of
Filipino Composers and is listed in “The
International School in Music” and he passed
away on August 11, 1991.
• He was the researcher and official Composer of the
Philippine Government in exile under President Manuel L
Quezon.
• He served as pianist-director of a USO concert unit that
entertained the Allied Forces during World War II.
• He became the soloist of several orchestras and eventually the
Musical Director of the Sampaguita and Vera-Perez movie
companies.
• He wrote scores for 27 films during his 10 years as Musical
Director of Sampaguita pictures.
• Cornejo was also known for his extemporaneous thematic
improvisations based on the letters of people's names.
• He wrote over 300 compositions ranging from classical to
pop.
Cornejo's compositions inclined;

A la Juventud Filipina, Bailes de Ayer, Caprice on Folksong,

Cello Sonata, Ibong Adarna, Kandingan, Malakas at Maganda
Overtue, Okaka, Oriental Fantasy, Piano Concerto Nos. 1,2,3,
Ruby, Song of the Miners, Philippine Fantasy with Marimba
Solo, Christ the Redeemer.
Orienal Fantasy by Rodolfo
Cornejo
Felipe P. De Leon Sr. (1912-1992)

Felipe Padilla de Leon

• He was born on May 1, 1912 in Peñaranda,
Nueva Ecija.
• His parents were Juan de Leon and Natalia
Padilla.
• Felipe de Leon married pianist Iluminada
Mendoza with whom he had six children.
• He received a posthumous award as National
Artist for Music (1997) and died on December
5, 1992
• Bayani is well-known composer and another son Felipe Jr. a
writer and the present Chairman of the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
• He played the trombone in dance orchestras which performed
in cabarets, circuses, and bodabil (vaudeville) shows. He
started doing musical arrangements and eventually writing
music for the zarzuela
• He contributed articles to the school paper and vernacular
magazines and later wrote music columns for the Manila
Times (Manila Tribune) and Taliba.
• He graduated with a Music Teacher’s Diploma Major in
Conducting (1939). She received many awards such as
Composer of the Year (1949), Manila Music Lovers
Society Musician of the Year (1958)
• He wrote piano compositions, hymns, marches, art songs,
chamber music, symphonic poems, overtures, band muic,
school songs, orchestral works, operas, kundiman, and
zarzuelas.
• His 2 operas, Noli Me Tangere (1957) and El Filibusterismo
(1970) considered masterpiece in the Philippines and abroad
De Leon's compositions’ includes;

Tindig, Aking Inang Bayan, Bagong Lipunan, Payapang Daigdig,

Noche Buena, and Pasko Na Naman
Noche Buena by Felipe de
Leon Sr.
Lucio D. San Pedro (1913-2002)

Lucio Diestro San Pedro

• He was born on February 11, 1913 in Angono
Rizal
• He pursued his music degree at the University of
the Philippines and the Juilliard School in New
York, USA and he became a Professor of
Theory and Composition at the University of
the Philippines' College of Music.
• He was declared National Artist for Music
(1991) and passed away on March 31, 2002.
• San pedro is known as romantic nationalist his well-loved
“Sa Ugoy ng Duyan” a lullaby melody sang by his mother.
• His orchestral compositions are best represented by the Suite
Pastorale (1956) and his nationalistic symphonic poem
Lahing Kayumanggi (1962)
• His musical prowess was internationally recognized when he
was invited to be a judge at the prestigious Van Caliburn
International Piano Competition (1980) his other
compositions include songs as well as pieces for violin-cello-
piano and chorus
San pedro composition includes;

Ugoy sa Duyan, Suite Pastorale, and Lahing Kayumanggi.

Lahing Kayumanggi by Lucio
San Pedro
Rosendo E. Santos Jr. ( 1922-1994)

Rosendo Ejercito Santos Jr.

• He was born on September 3, 1922 in Caridad,
Cavite City
• He was awarded the “Philippine Composer of
the Century” after receiving the “Composer of
the Year Award” in Manila 1956 and 1957 as a
scholar of UNESCO.
• Santos passed away on November 4, 1994 in
Shrivel Pennsylvania, USA
• He started composing band marches instrumental and vocal
chores as well as music for catholic masses.
• He also pursued a Master of Music Degree and Theory and
Composition from the Catholic University of America in
Washington DC
• He also served on its faculty as well as in West Virginia
University and Howard University.
• He wrote several piano concerti, sonatas, symphonies,
symphonic poems, 5 operas in Filipino numerous band
overtures, and more than 200 marches.
• He also wrote 50 masses in Latin and 20 in English.
• He has more than 1,000 musical composition in the library of
the University of the Philippines
• Santos last musical work and only ballet composition
“Melinda’s Masquerade” was performed in 1995 a year
after his death
Cornejo's compositions inclined;

Academic Symphony, Accent on youth percussion,

Ako’y Sugatan, Alinlangan, A Tale of Christmas,
Carinosa (4 hands) piano, Boy Scouts of the Philippines
Hymn, Portrait of an Arist, Suyuan sa Dagat (Romance
by the Sea and Maglalatik
Suyuan sa Dagat (Romance
by the Sea) by Rosendo
Ejercito Santos Jr.
Alfredo S. Buenaventura (1929)
Alfredo Santos Buenaventura
• He was born in Santa Maria, Bulacan on
October 14, 1929
• He was a composer conductor and teacher
• He was one of the 20 boy sopranos of the Tiples
at Sto. Domingo Church from where he received
his first significant musical training at this time
he also wrote his first composition Danza.
• He received his Bachelor of Music Degree and
Composition and Conducting from Centro
Escolar University and studied Sacred Music at
the Gregorian Institute.
• He became an official organist of the Manila Cathedral in
1960 and the Dean of the College of Music Centro Escolar
University.
• He holds an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from the
Philippine Women’s University.
• He has composed over 50 major works including five-full
length operas, operettas, dance dramas, cantatas, symphonies,
concerti, ballets, overtures, preludes, fugues, and chamber
music.
• Many of his compositions are based on Filipino heroes,
legends, and epics.
• He is a member of League of Filipino Composers and has
twice received the Republic Cultural Heritage award as
well as the Outstanding Filipino Award (TOFIL) for Music
(1995).
Buenaventura's compositions includes;

Maria Makiling (1961), Diego Silang (1966), Princess Urduha

(1969), Ang Ating Watawat (1965), Pasko ng Barangay (1964),
Dakilang Lahi (1971), Gomburza (1981), Rizal, the Great
Malayan Antagonist (1990).
Mabuhay March by Alfredo S.
Buenaventura
Ryan Cayabyab (1954)
Raymundo Cipriano “Ryan” Pujante Cayabyab
• He was born on May 4, 1954 in Manila.
• He is a contemporary composer and conductor
who spans both popular and classical world's with
his pop music ballads, operas, zarzuelas,
orchestral arrangements, masses, psalms and
choral compositions.
• Among these are the award winning Kay Ganda
ng Ating Musika the modern zarzuela Alikabok
and the opera Spolarium with libretto by Fides
Cuyugan-Asensio.
• His compositions are mostly of traditional Western
Influence.
• He has also produced numerous recordings including the
memorable album One where he personally sung the
unaccompanied songs on different tracks to produce 16
voices.
• Cayabyab also served as the Executive and Artistic Director
of the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts
which oversaw the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and
the San Miguel Master Chorale.
• At present he continues to be a much sought-after professor
musical director composer arranger and conductor in the
Philippine concert and recording scenes.
Cayabyab's compositions includes;

Misa, Four Poems for Soprano and Piano, Te Deum, Kay Ganda
ng Ating Musika, Liman-Dipang Tao, Da Coconut Nut,
Alikabok, Spolarium, Kumukuti-kutitap.
Liman-dipang Tao by Ryan
Cayabyab
ACTIVITY TIME!
DIRECTION: Give at least 2 examples of musical compositions of each of
the composers in the Column A and write the title of your answer in the
Column B.
Column A Column B
1. Francisco B. Buencamino Sr. 1.
2. Francisco S. Santiago 2.
3. Nicanor S. Abelardo 3.
4. Antonio J. Molina 4.
5. Hilarion F. Rubio 5.
6. Col. Antonio R. Buenaventura 6.
7. Rodolfo S. Cornejo 7.
8. Felipe P. de Leon Sr. 8.
9. Lucio D. San Pedro 9.
10. Rosendo E. Santos Jr. 10.
11.Alfredo S. Buenaventura 11.
12. Ryan Cayabyab 12.