ANTONIO MOLINA

-Antonio Molina (26 December 1894 – 29 January 1980) was a Filipino composer, conductor and
music administrator. He was named a National Artist of the Philippines for his services to music. He
was also known as the Claude Debussy of the Philippines due to his use of impressionist themes in
his music.

- first National Artist for Music

- considered one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers”

- began his music career as an orchestral soloist at the Manila Grand Opera House

- served as Dean of the Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music from 1948 to 1970

- faculty member of the University of the Philippines’ Conservatory (now College) of Music

- product of both the Romantic and Impressionist schools of thought

WORKS

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. Other works are Hatinggabi,Ang
Batinga ,Kundiman-Kundangan,String Quartet,Kung Iyong Gunita,Pandangguhan,Amihan
 LUCIO SAN PEDRO

- was born on February 11, 1913 inAngono,

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

- he became a professor of theory and composition at the University of the

Philippines’ College of Music

- known as a “romantic nationalist”

- he incorporated Philippine folk elements in his compositions

with Western forms and harmony

- 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)

- 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
 RYAN CAYABYAB

-Ryan Cayabyab (born Raymundo Cipriano Pujante Cayabyab on May 4, 1954 in Manila,
Philippines), also known as Mr. C, is a Filipino musician, composer and conductor. He was the
Executive and Artistic Director for several years for the defunct San Miguel Foundation for the
Performing Arts. He was named a National Artist of the Philippines in 2018

-His works range from commissioned full-length ballets, theater musicals, choral pieces, a Mass
set to unaccompanied chorus, and orchestral pieces, to commercial recordings of popular music,
film scores and television specials.

- is a popular contemporary composer who also has classical compositions to his credit, such as
Misa

- his compositional style makes much use of syncopation, extended chords, and chromatic
harmony.

- among his 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

- he obtained his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of the Philippines’ College of Music

- at present, he continues to be a much sought-after professor,

musical director, composer, arranger, and conductor in the Philippine concert and
recording scenes
 ANTIONIO BUENAVENTURA

-Antonino Buenaventura was born on May 4, 1904 in Baliuag, Bulacan. He was born in a family
of musicians; his father Lucino Buenaventura was a musician at the Spanish Artillery Band in
Intramuros. He studied under Nicanor Abelardo at the University of the Philippines
Diliman Conservatory of Music and graduated in 1932 with a Teacher’s Diploma in Music,
major in Science and Composition and became an assistant instructor at the Conservatory. He
also studied composition for a post-graduate degree under Jenő Takács.
-After the war he became conductor of the devastated Philippine Constabulary Band for 16 years
and he brought it back to its former glory.
He became the music director of the UST Conservatory of Music in 1961 and the UE School of
Music and Arts in 1964.
-He married the violinist Rizalina Exconde and produced 4 children.
-Buenaventura's music was influenced by different ethnic Philippine folksongs. In 1935, he
joined Francisca Reyes-Aquino in researching Philippine folksongs and dances. In 1936 he
composed the accompaniment to the folk dance "Pandanggo sa Ilaw" and incorporated ethnic
melodies and instruments to some of his compositions.
-The Awards he received are the following : Band Conductor of the Year (1951, from the Music
Lovers Society),Republic Cultural Heritage Award for Music (1966, for his Symphony in C),
Araw ng Maynila Cultural Award (1971),Award of Merit for Outstanding Contribution to
Philippine Music (1976, from the Philippine Army),Director Emeritus of the University of the
East (1981),National Artist of the Philippines (1988)Doctor of Humanities (1991, from the
University of the Philippines)Diwa ng Lahi Award (1995).
 ALFREDO BUENAVENTURA

-Alfredo Santos Buenaventura was born in Santa Maria, Bulacan in 1929 and studied music at
the University of Santo Tomas, the Centro Escolar University and the Gregorian Institute. His
career brought him teaching appointments at the Philippine Women’s University, St.
Scholastica’s College and at the Centro Escolar University, where he became Dean of Music at
the conservatory. He was formerly organist at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Manila and, among
many other honours, received the Republican Cultural Heritage Awards in 1964 and 1972 and
the Bonifacio Centennial Awards.

- 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

- 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

- 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, and symphonies such as
Dakilang Lahi (1971), Gomburza (1981), and Rizal, the Great Malayan Antagonist (1990)

- his minor works numbering more than 50 cover mostly religious songs and hymns for specific
celebrations such as the Sixteenth Centenary of St. Augustine, Mass for the 400th Year of the
Augustinian Recollect, and the Philippine Music Festival
 RODOLFO S. CORNEJO

-The Philipine composer Cornejo received his Teacher’s Diploma in piano (1930) and Teacher’s
Diploma in science and composition (1930) from the Conservatory of Music, University of the
Philippines. He received his Bachelor of Music major in piano and theory (1932) from the
Chicago Musical College of the Roosevelt University, Master of Music major in composition-
conducting (1933), and Doctor of Music (honoris causa, 1954). He received his Doctor of
Philosophy major in composition from the Neotarian College of Philosophy in Kansas City
(1947). 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 in World War II. Since 1978 he held concerts
in the United States and appeared as composer-conductor at the Seattle Opera House and the
Seattle Playhouse.

-Rodolfo S. Cornejo, a composer, pianist and conductor, was born on the 15th of May, 1909, in
Manila. ... Cornejo started piano lessons with Gelacio Reyes at age six. At age eight, he had his
first recital, and he became the organist of the Pasay Catholic Church

- was born on May 15, 1909 in Singalong,

Manila

- Inspired by his mother’s genuine support

- he performed on stage after only two years of music studies and 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

- he was conferred a Doctor of Music degree honoris causa in 1954

- he was commissioned to write a symphony and an opera and compose the music for the
documentary film on President Quezon’s funeral
 HILARION RUBIO Y FRANCISCO

- born on October 21, 1902 in Bacoor, Cavite

- composer, music teacher, conductor, and clarinetist

- created substantial works for the orchestra

- served as conductor for opera, ballet, dance recitals, and movie music

- made his first composition Unang Katas for his concert with the band

- 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)

- was appointed director of the Conservatory of Music, Centro Escolar University in 1944-
1945

- appointed conductor of the Manila Municipal Symphony Orchestra

- held various positions, including as Vice President of the PASAMBAP (Pambansang

Samahan ng mga Banda sa Pilipinas)

- board and charter member of the League of Filipino composers,

and the first President of the Philippine Bandmaster’s Association

- passed away on December 28, 1985

Some of his works were : Bulaklaken, Theme and Variations for Band, Dance of the
Nymphs ,Rondo, Florente at Laura (overture), Halik, Danza, Unang Katas, Ang Konsyerto
(ballet),Ang Magsasaka, Bukang Liwayway.
 ROSENDO E. SANTOS JR.

- 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.

-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. He joined
the faculty at Wilkes University, Pennsylvania in 1968.

- He performed as timpanist, pianist, and conductor with several orchestral groups. He conducted
church choirs in Maryland, New Jersey, Lehman, Huntsville, and Shavertown United Methodist
Churches inPennsylvania, USA. He composed the background music for J. Arthur Rank Films
atPinewood Studios in London, England, where he worked with British composers
MalcolmArnold and Muir Mathieson.

-A prolific composer, he had composed several piano concerti, sonatas, symphonies,

symphonic poems, five operas in Filipino, numerous band overtures, and more than 200
marches. He had also written 50 masses in Latin and 20 in English. He has more than
1,000 musical compositions 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. Santos passed away on November 4, 1994 in Swoyersville,
Pennsylvania, USA.