FRANCISCO B. BUENCAMINO SR.

(1883 – 1952)
Francisco Beltran Buencamino Sr. was born on November 5, 1883 in Bulacan.
He was the son of a musically inclined couple. His father was Fortunato
Buencamino, a church organist and band master. His mother was Luisa Beltran,
a noted singer. He 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. He also created
the Buencamino Music Academy in 1930 where Nicanor Abelardo was one of his students.
Expanding his career, he ventured into 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.” LARAWAN Francisco Buencamino Sr.

Francisco Santiago (1889 – 1947)

Francisco Santiago is known as the “Father of the Kundiman” and belongs
to the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers.” He finished his music specialization at theAmerican
Conservatory of Music in Chicago, where he obtained his Doctorate Degree in 1924. Santiago’s
music was Romantic in style, incorporating Western forms and techniques with folk materials.
He composed several works such as kundiman, symphonies, piano concertos, and other music
pieces for the piano, violin, and voice. Among his famous works are Pakiusap, Madaling Araw,
Sakali Man, Hibik ng Pilipinas, 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. He was also a
musical director for films. Among the films whose music he supervised are Kundiman, Leron
Leron Sinta, Madaling Araw, Manileña, and the movie inspired by his own composition Pakiusap.
He became the first Filipino Director of the UP Conservatory of Music. PILIPINAS KONG MAHAL
Francisco Santiago.
NICANOR ABELARDO (1893 – 1934)
Nicanor Abelardo is one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino
Composers” which includes Antonio Molina and Francisco
Santiago. He studied music at the Chicago Music College and
was influenced by the musical styles of Schoenberg, Hindemith
and Stravinsky. Abelardo developed a style that combined
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. Although a 20th century modern composer in style, he is also
considered a composer in the Romanticstyle. His best-known compositions includeMutya ng
Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog, Cavatina for Violoncello, and Magbalik Ka Hirang.

ANTONIO J. MOLINA (1894 – 1980)

National Artist for Music Antonio Molina, the first National Artist for Music, is
considered one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers” which includes
NicanorAbelardo and Francisco Santiago. He began his music career as an
orchestral soloist at the Manila Grand Opera House. He served as Dean of the
Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music from 1948 to 1970. He was
also a faculty member of the University of the Philippines’ Conservatory (now
College) of Music. Molina was a product of both the Romantic and Impressionist schools of
thought. He was fascinated by the dynamics and harmonies of Debussy, but retained much of
the Romantic style in his melody. A characteristically impressionist work is his piano work
Malikmata (Transfiguration). The mysteriously exotic chords of this piece gradually lead to a
lyrical melody, with the traditional harmonies abruptly returning to the initial mood. Molina
wrote several compositions for piano, violin, and voice as well as a Spanish-style opera form
known as the zarzuela.
 HILARION RUBIO Y FRANCISCO (1902 – 1985)
Hilarion Rubio was born on October 21, 1902 in Bacoor, Cavite. 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. His early interest in music came from the influence of his uncle who
was then playing with the Bacoor Band. His first music lessons in music theory
and clarinet were with Fr. Amando Buencamino who taught him solfeggio and
some musical instruments. When he was eight years old, he was accepted as a member of the
Bacoor Band as a clarinetist. At that time, he made his first composition Unang Katas for his
concert with the band. In his high school years at the North High School (now Arellano High
School), Rubio became a member of several orchestras. He performed with various movie house
bands and orchestras. He was also a member of the Lyric Theater Orchestra, Trozo Band in
Benavides Street, and the Band Moderna in Tondo. After he graduated from high school in 1930,
he co-founded the Anak Zapote Band. He later 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. After his student years, Rubio became a
conductor of opera at the Manila Music School in 1936. He became the choirmaster and choral
conductor of the Choir Islanders. Also, he assumed the position of instructor at the Conservatory
of Music, University of the Philippines. He was also a lecturer at the Buencamino Music
Academy, La Concordia College, College of the Holy Spirit, Santa Isabel College, Laperal Music
Academy, Manila Music School, St. Theresa’s College, and the Valencia Academy of Music. He
became full professor of the UP Conservatory of Music from 1936-1937. He was appointed
director of the Conservatory of Music, Centro Escolar University in 1944-1945. During the
Second World War, Rubio composed and arranged many works and conducted many military
and civilian brass bands. After the war, he was appointed conductor of the Manila Municipal
Symphony Orchestra. He held various positions, including as 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, Two- part
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
Salamisim. He passed away on December 28, 1985.
 COL. ANTONINO BUENAVENTURA (1904 – 1996)
National Artist for Music Col. Antonino Ramirez Buenaventura was a
renowned composer, conductor, and teacher. His father Lucio was the
chief musician of the Spanish artillery band in Intramuros and founder
of Banda Buenaventura. As a young boy, he had already demonstrated
a passion for music while learning the rudiments of music and solfeggio
and becoming a proficient clarinet player. Col. Buenaventura further
developed his musical abilities at the Conservatory of Music, University
of the Philippines (UP) at the age of 19. He received a Teacher’s
Diploma in Science and Composition at UP. Nicanor Abelardo and
Francisco Santiago were among his famous mentors. At the University, Buenaventura led the
UP ROTC Band and established the UP Junior Orchestra which was the first collegiate orchestra
in the country. He pursued further studies at the Institute of International Education in New
York. He was also awarded a study grant by the UNESCO in 1949. He was a delegate to the
general assembly of the International Society for Music Education held in Montreux, Switzerland
in 1976. He represented the country at the general meetings of the International Music Council
(IMC) in Rome (1962) and Hamburg (1964). Buenaventura was actively involved with the various
military bands which ultimately earned him his military rank of Colonel. He was a music
instructor and band conductor of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Later, he restored the
Philippine Constabulary Band in 1945, which was reputedly likened to a symphony orchestra. It
was considered as “one of the best military bands in the world.” It would later be renamed the
Philippine Army Band. He also founded the San Pablo Music Academy in Laguna. Buenaventura
was a faculty member of the UP Conservatory of Music. Later, he became the music director of
the Conservatory of Music, University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 1961. After retiring from the
military, he became the music director at the School of Music and Arts, University of the East
(UE) in 1964. He promoted Philippine music through his extensive use of folk materials which
he had recorded around the country with Ramon Tolentino and National Artist for Dance
Francisca Reyes Aquino. Buenaventura composed the music and folkdance notations for the
dance researches of Aquino. As a multi-awarded musician, he composed Minuet, Mindanao
Sketches, Divertimento for Piano and Orchestra, Variations and Fugue, and Greetings based on
Philippine folk music. Pandanggo sa Ilaw, one of his most popular compositions, remains a
favorite performance repertoire of many folkdance companies. He was declared National Artist
for Music in 1988 and passed away in 1996.
 RODOLFO S. CORNEJO (1909 – 1991) R o d o l
f o S . C o r n e j o was born on May 15, 1909 in Singalong,
Manila. Inspired by his mother’s genuine support, the young
Cornejo started formal music lessons at the age of six. He
performed on stage after only two years of music studies.
During this time, he was also invited as organist of the Pasay
Catholic Church. His first composition at age 10 was a piano
piece entitled Glissando Waltz. It was followed three years
later by a military march entitled Salute. At the age of 14, 26 of
Cornejo’s compositions were already listed by the United
Publishing Company Inc. Cornejo graduated with a Teacher’s
Diploma in Pianoforte and a Teacher’s Diploma in Science and
Composition at the Conservatory of Music, University of the
Philippines (UP) in 1930. He received his Bachelor of Music
degree major in piano and theory from the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University, USA
in 1932. He received a Master of Music degree major in composition and conducting at the
Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University, USA in 1933. He was conferred a Doctor of
Music degree honoris causa in 1954. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree major in
composition from the Neotarian College of Philosophy in Kansas City, USA in 1947. Cornejo
taught at the UP Conservatory of Music and became the researcher and official composer of the
Philippine government-in-exile. He was appointed by then President Manuel L. Quezon. He was
commissioned to write symphony and an opera and compose the music for the documentary
film on President Quezon’s funeral. He served as pianist- director of a USO concert unit that
entertained the Allied Forces at the E.T.O., the Marianas, and the Hawaiian Islands during World
War II. Cornejo was the soloist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, Filipinas Youth Symphony
Orchestra, and UP Symphony Orchestra. Later on, he became the musical director of the
Sampaguita and Vera-Perez Movie Companies. Since 1978, he held concerts in the United
States. He appeared as composer-conductor at the Seattle Opera House and the Seattle
Playhouse. He is listed in “The International Who’s Who in Music.” Cornejo was also known for
his extemporaneous thematic improvisations based on the letters of people’s names. His
compositional output includes A la Juventud Filipina, Bailes deAyer, Caprice on a Folksong, Cello
Sonata, Ibong Adarna, Kandingan, Malakas at Maganda, Overture, Okaka, Oriental Fantasy,
Ibong Adarna, Piano Concerto Nos. 1,2,3, Ruby, and Song of the Miners. He passed away on
August 11, 1991.
 Felipe Padilla de Leon was born on May1, 1912 in Barrio
Papaya (now General Tinio) in Penaranda, Nueva Ecija. He is the son
of Juan de Leon and Natalia Padilla. Felipe de Leon married pianist
Iluminada Mendoza with whom he had six children. Bayani and
Felipe Jr., are two of his children. Bayani is a well-known composer,
and Felipe Jr. is a writer and the chairman of the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). De Leon’s talent in
painting and drawing was discovered during his school days and
admired by his uncle, peers. People asked him to make illustrations
and sketches and was paid for them. When he was studying at the
Nueva Ecija High School, he went on trips with his hometown band
and wrote short pieces for them. He took up Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines in
1927, but he had to stop schooling in order to make a living. He played the trombone in dance
orchestras which performed in cabarets, circuses and bodabil (vaudeville). Then, he worked as
an assistant conductor of the Nueva Ecija High School Orchestra where he started doing musical
arrangements. Later on, he wrote music for the zarzuela. He decided to study formally and
enrolled at the Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines, where he studied under
National Artists Col. Antonio Buenaventura and Antonio Molina. He contributed articles to the
school paper and vernacular magazines. Later, he wrote music columns for the Manila Times
(then known as Manila Tribune) and Taliba. He graduated with a music teacher's diploma, major
in conducting in 1939. Much later, he took advanced studies in composition under Vittorio
Giannini of the Julliard School of Music in New York, USA. De Leon received many awards, such
as Composer of the Year (1949), Manila Music Lovers Society, Musician of the Year (1958), UP
Conservatory of Music, and others. He was conferred an honorary degree, doctor of philosophy
in the humanities, by the University of the Philippines in 1991. De Leon wrote piano
compositions, hymns, marches, art songs, chamber music, symphonic poems, overtures, band
music, school songs, orchestral works, operas, kundiman, and zarzuelas. He was 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). These two operas have been staged in the Philippines and abroad. He also
wrote a march during the Japanese regime entitled Tindig, Aking Inang Bayan, and another
march Bagong Lipunan during the martial law. He wrote the popular Christmas carols Payapang
Daigdig (1946), Noche Buena, and Pasko Na Naman, both in 1965. Felipe de Leon received a
posthumous award as National Artist for Music in 1997. He died on December 5, 1992.
 LUCIO SAN PEDRO (1913 – 2002)
National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro was born on 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. He later pursued
his music degree at the University of the Philippines and the Juilliard School
in New York, USA. Upon returning to the Philippines, he became a professor
of theory and composition at the University of the Philippines’ College of
Music. San Pedro is known as a “romantic nationalist.” He incorporated Philippine folk elements
in his compositions 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. His works for the
symphonic band was where he was most 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. He was declared
National Artist for Music in 1991 and passed away on March 31, 2002.

ROSENDO E. SANTOS JR. (1922 – 1994)

R o s e n d o S a n t o s J r was born on 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.