MODULE 11: THE NATIONAL ARTIST OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR MUSIC

NATIONAL ARTIST S FOR MUSIC

Antonino Ramirez Buenaventura

1904-1996
Year of Conferment: 1988
-Buenaventura's legacy in the Philippines is music
-according to the NCCA, is a musical career "that spanned seven decades of unwavering commitment to advancing the frontiers of
Philippine music.
-he popularized folksongs by creating music based on the wide array of folksongs from various ethnic groups in the Phil.
-his notable works are Ode to Freedom, Echoes of the Past, and Echoes of the Philippines, History Fantasy, and Triumphal March.
-Also Buenaventura brought the Philippine Army Band back to its former glory ,which was recognized as " the only band that can sound
like a symphony orchestra.

Ernani Joson Cuenco

1936-1988
Year of Conferment: 1999
-according to the NCCA 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 dimensions of contemporary Filipino music."
-Cuenco’s repertoire as the musician includes being a music teacher, a composer, a musical director, and a film scorer.
-as a film scorer, he composed music for the film Wild. Wild ,Jess and El Vibora ,which earned him the Best Music Award at the Metro
Manila Film Festival in 1982 and the FAMAS awards.
-Cuenco is also known for his Filipino love ballads such as "Kalesa"," Bato sa Buhangin "," Gaano Kita Kamahal",and "Inang Bayan"
which were enhanced by adding the elements of kundiman to the song.

Jovita Fuentes
1895 -1978
Year of Conferment: 1976
-In 1976, Jovita Fuentes made the Philippine history by being given the honor as the first female National Artist for Music.
-She trained to play the piano at age of five, famous Italian singer Salvina Fornani mentored her to be a star.
- Before Lea Salonga became a Broadway and West End superstar ,Jovita Fuentes performed roles in major productions such as
Mimi in Giacomo Puccini 's LA Boh'eme and Princess Yang Gui Fe in Li Tai Pe .
-Her role in the New York production of Madama Butterfly was one of her proud moments.
- Fuentes has been hailed as the first international Filipino diva.

Jose Maceda
1917-2004
Year of Conferment: 1997
- Was a highly acclaimed Filipino composer and ethnomusicologist.
- Maceda's works have resulted in a vast collection of recorded music taken from the remotest regions in the country.
- his works are "Ugma-ugma" (1963) "pag samba" (1968) and "Udlot-udlot" (1975).
- His other famous compositions are "Ugnayan" "Aroding" and "Suling-suling".

Lucio Diestro San Pedro

1913-2002
Year of Conferment: 1991
-a educator, master conductor, and a brilliant composer.
-through his works "evoked the folk elements of the Filipino heritage.
-coming from a family musician.
-San Pedro led local bands such as the Banda Angono Numero Uno, the San Pedro Band of Angono, and the Peng Kong Grand
Mason Concert Band as Master conductor.
-a famous Filipino lullaby.
- Some of his popular works include The Devil's Bridge (orchestral music), " Sa Mahal Kong Bayan" " Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan" (vocal
music).

Levi Celerio
1910-2002
Year of conferment: 1997
- Was highly talented lyricist, with more than 4 000 songs under his name.
- has greatly enriched the Philippines music for no less than two generations and has appealed to all social classes.
- He was also known as an excellent leaf player, using a leaf to create music as cited by the Guinness Book of World Records.
- He is also famous lyricist for love songs such as " Saan Ka Man Naroroon" and "Ikaw".
- 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 Conferment: 1991
- Is 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 which often described how Filipinos express their feeling and their
aspirations in times of strife and peace.
- Some of the maestro's notable works include Mariang Makiling Overture, Orchestertuk, and Lupang Tinubuan, and the opera
adaptation Noli Me Tangere.

Lucrecia Roces Kasilag

1917-2008
Year Conferment: 1989
- a native of LA Union, was a renowned Filipino composer.
- her legacy in Philippine music, according to the NCCA, is "to discover the Filipino roots through ethnic music and fusing it with
Western influences."
- this led to Kasilag to create 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
- The Dean of Filipino Composers
- Was a multitalented musician, writer, and music educator.
- he was the last of the musical triumvirate.
- at a young age, he learned to play the violoncello.
- It did not take lo g before this young talent was playing for the Manila Grand Opera House.
- Molina taught some of the most astonishing Filipino artists such as Felipe Padilla de Leon.
- “Hatinggabi," a popular serenade for solo violin and piano supplement, can be credited to him.
- he also popularized the following music such as " Kung sa Iyong Gunita", " Awit ni Maria Clara," and " Larawan nitong Pilipinas".

Andrea Ofilada Veneracion

1928-2013
Year of Conferment: 1999
-Founded the Philippine Madrigal Singers.
-the group is one of the most passionate and talented musical groups in the country.
-It acquires several international awards including the UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2009.
-Aside from the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Veneracion was also the creator of the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music (AILM)
Chorale.
-By founding the Philippine MadrigaL Singers Veneracion, according to the NCCA ,had been responsible for “spearheading of the
development of the Philippines choral music.”.

Francisco Feliciano
1941-2014
Year of Conferment: 2014
-was a prolific composer of over 30 major works.
-he was mentored by internationally renowned conductor and composer such as Martin Behrmann , Jacob Druckman , Isang Yun,
H.W. Zimmerman ,and Krystof Penderecki.
-he composed operas including La Loba Negra, Ashen Wings, Sikhay Sa Kabila ng Paalam (Beyond the Farewell),and Yerma.
-he received the John D. Rockefeller Award in Music Composition in 1977.

PREPARED BY:

LIEZL T. CANGAYO

NOTED BY:

SIR JAYSON SACUEZA