Unit 3

Contemporary
Philippine
Music
Ramon Santos, PhD
• “contemporary music in the
Philippines refers to compositions that
have adopted ideas and elements from
20th century art music in the west, as
well as the latest trends and musical
styles in the entertainment industry.”
 20th
Century
Traditional
Composers
 With Spain and then America
having colonized the Philippines
from the early 1500s to the late
1800s, it was unavoidable that
Western compositional techniques
found their way into the works of
Filipino composers. Yet, even 20th
century Filipino composers have
managed to retain some traditional
elements in their assimilation of
Western techniques. In fact, they
have become the strongest
foundation of what we know as
Philippine music.
FRANCISCO B. BUENCAMINO SR.
 FRANCISCO B. BUENCAMINO SR.
(1883 – 1952)
• November 5, 1883 in Bulacan. Son of a
musically inclined couple.
• Fortunato Buencamino, a church
organist and band master.
• Luisa Beltran, a noted singer.
• Studied music composition and
harmony at Liceo de Manila.
Unfortunately, he was not able to finish.
• He taught at the Ateneo de Manila,
and at Centro Escolar de Señoritas
whose Conservatory of Music he
founded.
• 1930, created Buencamino Music
Academy.
• musical directing and scoring, and
composing film music for
Sampaguita Pictures, LVN, and
Excelsior.
 Buencamino’s compositions
include
• Harana, Pandanggo ni Neneng,
• Collar de Sampaguita, Dulces las Horas,
• Mayon (Fantasia de Concierto),
• My Soul’s Lament, Larawan, Mazurka,
• Boholana, Mi Bandera, Princesa ng
Kumintang,
• Maligayang Bati, Ang Bukang Liwayway,
Pandanggo ni Neneng,
• Ang Bagong Balitaw, Himig ng Nayon,
Damdamin (Romance), and Pizzicato Caprice
• Many of his piano works have
become a staple part of the
Philippine repertoire of today’s
young students, especially
Mayon, Larawan, and
Maligayang Bati.
• He also wrote several zarzuelas
and kundimans.
• He passed away on October 16,
1952 after which a posthumous
award honored him with the title
“Outstanding Composer.”
Francisco Santiago
 Francisco Santiago
(1889 – 1947)
• “Father of the Kundiman”
• “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers”
together with Nicanor Abelardo and
Antonio Molina.
• Music specialization
– American Conservatory of Music in
Chicago, Doctorate Degree in 1924.
Music Style:
– Romantic in style, incorporating
Western forms and techniques with folk
materials.
• He composed such as:
– kundiman, symphonies, piano concertos, and
other music pieces for the piano, violin, and
voice
• Musical director for films.
– Kundiman,
– Leron Leron Sinta,
– Madaling Araw,
– Manileña, and the movie inspired by his
own composition “Pakiusap”
• first Filipino Director, UP Conservatory of
Music.
Among his famous works are:
• Pakiusap,
• Madaling Araw,
• Sakali Man,
• Hibik ng Pilipinas,
• Pilipinas Kong Mahal
• Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran, and
Kundiman (Anak Dalita).
– This piece was sung before the Royal
Court of Spain upon the request of King
Alfonso II.
NICANOR ABELARDO
 NICANOR ABELARDO
(1893 – 1934)
• “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers”
• He studied music at the Chicago
Music College and was influenced
by the musical styles of Schoenberg,
Hindemith and Stravinsky.
• Music Style:
– European romanticism with
chromaticism.
• His compositions contain
– hazy tones, dissonance and unusual
chordal combinations found in
such works as Cinderella Overture,
Panoramas, and a violin sonata.
• Considered a composer in the
Romantic style.
• Compositions include:
– Mutya ng Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog,
Cavatina for Violoncello, and
Magbalik Ka Hirang.
ANTONIO J. MOLINA
 ANTONIO J. MOLINA
(1894 – 1980)
• December 26, 1894 in Quiapo Manila.
• first National Artist for Music,
• “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers”
• He began his music career as an
orchestral soloist at the Manila Grand
Opera House.
• 1948 to 1970. Dean, Centro Escolar
University Conservatory of Music.
• Father of Philippine Impressionist Music.
• Music Style:
• Product of both the Romantic and
Impressionist schools of thought.
• Dynamics and harmonies of
Debussy,
• Romantic style in his melody
• Impressionist work
– is his piano work Malikmata
(Transfiguration).
• Other works by Molina include
– orchestral music - Misa Antoniana Grand
Festival Mass, Ang Batingaw, Kundiman-
Kundangan;
– chamber music - String Quartet, Kung sa
Iyong Gunita, Pandangguhan; and
– vocal music - Amihan, Awit ni Maria
Clara, and Larawan Nitong Pilipinas.

• 1973, National Artist for Music award.

• January 29, 1980. He passed away.
HILARION RUBIO Y FRANCISCO
 HILARION RUBIO Y FRANCISCO
(1902 – 1985)
• October 21, 1902 in Bacoor, Cavite.
• A composer, music teacher, conductor,
choirmaster, clarinetist
• Conductor for opera, ballet, dance recitals,
and movie music.
• First interest in music, the “Bacoor Band.” At
Age of 8, member of the Bacoor Band as a
clarinetist.
• First composition Unang Katas
• First music lessons, with Fr. Amando
Buencamino, solfeggio and some musical
instruments.
• Member of the Lyric Theater Orchestra, Trozo
Band in Benavides Street, and the Band
Moderna in Tondo.
• He co-founded the Anak Zapote Band.
• became a bandleader and conductor of the
ROTC Band of the Conservatory of Music,
University of the Philippines (UP) and played
the violin and timpani with the UP Junior
Symphony Orchestra.
• Vice President of the PASAMBAP (Pambansang
Samahan ng mga Banda sa Pilipinas),
• the National Band Association, board and
• charter member of the League of Filipino
composers, and
• the first President of the Philippine
Bandmaster’s Association.
• He was conductor of the National Opera
Company for 23 years from 1937 to
1960.
• Rubio’s compositions include:
– Bulaklaken,
– Theme and Variations for Band,
– Dance of the Nymphs Rondo,
– Florente at Laura (overture),
– Halik, Danza, Unang Katas,
– Twopart Invention (piano),
– Ang Konsyerto (ballet),
– Ang Magsasaka,
– Bukang Liwayway,
– Concertino in C (marimba and piano),
– Filipinas Kong Mahal,
– Hatulan Mo Ako,
– Ginintuang Araw,
– In a Tropical Sea,
– Light,
– Narra,
– Mutya ng Silangan,
 – To the Filipino Youth,
– Nela,
– National Heroes Day Hymn, and
• He passed away on December 28,
1985.
COL. ANTONINO BUENAVENTURA
COL. ANTONINO BUENAVENTURA

(1904 – 1996)
National Artist for Music, 1988
• composer, conductor, and teacher.
• His father Lucio
– chief musician of the Spanish artillery
band in Intramuros and founder of
Banda Buenaventura
• Demonstrated a passion for music
while learning the rudiments of
music and solfeggio .
• proficient clarinet player.
• at age19, developed his musical abilities at
Conservatory of Music, University of the
Philippines (UP).
• Teacher’s Diploma in Science and Composition
at UP.
• Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco Santiago were
among his famous mentors.
• led the UP ROTC Band and established the UP
Junior Orchestra which was the first collegiate
orchestra in the country.
• Institute of International Education in New
York.
• He was a music instructor and band
conductor of the Philippine Military
Academy (PMA).
• 1945, restored the Philippine
Constabulary Band.
• Philippine Constabulary Band
– “one of the best military bands in the world.
renamed the (Philippine Army Band).
He also founded the San Pablo Music
Academy in Laguna.
• As a multi-awarded musician,

– Minuet,
– Mindanao Sketches,
– Divertimento for Piano and
– Orchestra,
– Variations and Fugue, and
– Greetings based on Philippine folk
music.
– Pandanggo sa Ilaw,
RODOLFO S. CORNEJO
 RODOLFO S. CORNEJO
(1909 – 1991)
• May 15, 1909 in Singalong, Manila.
• at age 6, formal music lessons inspired by
his mother.
• Organist of the Pasay Catholic Church.
• at age 10, started composing entitled
Glissando Waltz , military march entitled
Salute.
• At age 14, 26 of Cornejo’s compositions
were already listed by the United
Publishing Company Inc.
• composer-conductor at the Seattle
Opera House and the Seattle
Playhouse.
• He is listed in “The International
Who’s Who in Music.”
• known for his extemporaneous
thematic improvisations based on the
letters of people’s names.
• He passed away on August 11, 1991.
 His compositional output
includes:
– A la Juventud Filipina,
– Bailes de Ayer,
– Caprice on a Folksong,
– Cello Sonata,
– Ibong Adarna,
– Kandingan,
– Malakas at Maganda,
– Overture,
– Okaka,
– Oriental Fantasy, Piano Concerto Nos.
1,2,3, Ruby, and Song of the Miners.
FELIPE PADILLA DE LEON SR.
 FELIPE PADILLA DE LEON SR.
(1912 – 1992)
• National Artist for Music
• May 1, 1912 in Barrio Papaya (now
General Tinio) in Penaranda, Nueva
Ecija.
• He is the son of Juan de Leon and
Natalia Padilla.
• Married pianist Iluminada Mendoza
with six children.
• 1927, Fine Arts at the University of the
Philippines.
• He played the trombone in dance
orchestras which performed in
cabarets, circuses and bodabil
(vaudeville).
• Assistant conductor of the Nueva Ecija
High School Orchestra (Ensemble)
• wrote music for the zarzuela.
• Composer of the Year (1949),
• Manila Music Lovers Society,
• Musician of the Year (1958),
• UP Conservatory of Music, and
others.
• 1991, conferred an honorary
degree, doctor of philosophy in
the humanities, UP.
 De Leon wrote piano
compositions:
• hymns,
• marches,
• art songs,
• chamber music,
• band music,
• symphonic poems, • school songs,
• overtures, • orchestral works,
• operas,
• kundiman, and
• zarzuelas.
• known as a nationalist composer who
expressed the Philippines' cultural
identity through his compositions.
• Two operas which are considered his
masterpieces are the:

– Noli Me Tangere (1957) and

– El Filibusterismo (1970).
• 1997, posthumous award as
National Artist for Music.
• He died on December 5, 1992.
LUCIO SAN PEDRO
 LUCIO SAN PEDRO
(1913 – 2002)
• National Artist for Music.
• February 11, 1913 in Angono, Rizal.
• Since his elementary days, he started
composing.
• He studied the banjo which inspired
him to become a serious musician.
• Music Degree, University of the
Philippines and the Juilliard School in
New York, USA.
• known as a “romantic nationalist.
• Music Style:
– Philippine folk elements with Western
forms and harmony.
• His chords have a rich expressive
tonality, as represented in his well-
loved
– Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, a lullaby melody
sung by his mother.
• His orchestral compositions are best
represented by the Suite Pastorale
(1956),
• a poetic aural description of his
hometown Angono, and his
nationalistic symphonic poem Lahing
Kayumanggi(1962).
• Other compositions include songs,
pieces for violin, cello, and chorus.
• the symphonic band, prolific and
productive both as composer and
conductor.
• His musical prowess was
internationally recognized when he
was invited to be a judge at the
prestigious Van Cliburn International
Piano Competition in 1980.
• 1991, National Artist for Music.
• Passed away on March 31, 2002.
ROSENDO E. SANTOS JR.
 ROSENDO E. SANTOS JR.
(1922 – 1994)
• September 3, 1922 in Cavite City.
• At age 11, he started composing band
marches, instrumental, and vocal
scores, as well as music for Catholic
masses.
• He studied in Cavite schools and later
graduated from the UP Conservatory
of Music where he eventually became
a faculty member.
• He also pursued a Master of Music
degree in theory and composition from
the Catholic University of America in
Washington, D.C.
• After which, he also served on its faculty
as well as in West Virginia University
and Howard University.
• As a UNESCO scholar, Santos was
awarded the “Philippine Composer of
the Century” after receiving the
“Composer of the Year Award” in Manila
in 1956 and 1957
• Santos passed away on November 4,
1994 in Swoyersville, Pennsylvania,
USA.
ALFREDO BUENAVENTURA
 ALFREDO BUENAVENTURA
(1929)
• October 14, 1929 in Sta. Maria,
Bulacan in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
• composer, conductor and teacher.
• He grew up in a musical environment
and became a band member in his
hometown at a young age.
• He grew up in a musical environment
and became a band member in his
hometown at a young age.
• He was drawn by his fascination
with trumpets and trombones and
became one of its arrangers and
conductors.
• He was one of twenty boy
sopranos of Tiples at Sto. Domingo
Church from where he received
his first significant musical
training. At that time, he also
wrote his first composition, Danza
..
• His compositions and other creative
works have transcended territorial,
racial, and language barriers as these
have been performed abroad by
international virtuosi and religious
groups.
• Many of his compositions are based
on Filipino heroes, legends, and epics.
• He uses native songs, both tribal and
folk, as themes of his music
compositions. A number of his
compositions are accompanied by
Filipino indigenous instruments.
 Some of his major works
include the operas:
– Maria Makiling (1961),
– Diego Silang (1966),
– Prinsesa Urduha (1969),
– cantatas Ang Ating Watawat(1965),
– Pasko ng Barangay (1964),
• three piano concertos subtitled
– Celebration,
– Determination, and
– Exultation,
• in 1960, Official organist of the
Manila Cathedral.
• Dean of the College of Music,
Centro Escolar University.
• Member, League of Filipino
Composers.
• An awardee of the
– Republic Cultural Heritage Award
– The Outstanding Filipino Award
(TOFIL) for Music in 1995.
CIPRIANO “RYAN” CAYABYAB
CIPRIANO “RYAN” CAYABYAB
• popular contemporary composer
• classical compositions:
– Misa, Four Poems for Soprano and
Piano, and Te Deum
• compositional style:
– syncopation, extended chords, and
chromatic harmony.
• Numerous compositions are the
award-winning
– Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika (1978), as
well as the
– modern zarzuela Alikabok (2003),
– the opera Spoliarium with libretto by
Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, and
– a variety of choral pieces and song
cycles.
produced a number of recordings,
including the memorable album One,
where he personally sang the
unaccompanied songs on different
tracks to produce 16 voices.
• Bachelor of Music degree at the
University of the Philippines’ College
of Music.
• faculty member for Composition at the
same University
• Executive and Artistic Director of the
San Miguel Foundation for the
Performing Arts.
– operations and programming of 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.