Filipino Composers

Triumvirate of Filipino
Composers

Antonio Molina
He is the first National Artist for
Music
Known as Claude Debussy of the
Philippines

 He was fascinated
by the dynamics
and harmonious of
Debussy, but
retained much of
the Romantic Style
in his melody. His

Nicanor Abelardo
Father of Sonata in the
Philippines
He is a composer in the RomanticImpressionistic style. His bestknown compositions include
Mutya ng Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog,

 He is the composer of
UP Naming Mahal
The UP College of
Music and Main Hall
was named after him.

Fransisco Santiago
The Father of Kundiman Art Song.
Among his famous works are
Pakiusap, Madaling Araw, Ano
Kaya ang Kapalaran, and
Kundiman (Anak Dalita).

 He became the first

Filipino Director of
the UP Conservatory
of Music.
Composer of Pilipinas
Kong Mahal

20 Century Filipino
Composers
th

Antonino R. Buenaventura
He promoted Philippine music by
extensively using folk materials in
his works.
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

Francisco Buencamino
Francisco Buencamino founded
the Centro Escolar de Seoritas,
Conservatory of Music.
He also created the Buencamino
Music Academy in 1930. Nicanor
Abelardo was one of his students.

 Harana, Pandanggo ni
Neneng, Collar de
Sampaguita, Dulces las
Horas, Mayon (Fantasia
de Concierto) are some
of his compositions.

Felipe de Leon
Felipe de Leon received a
posthumous award as National
Artist for Music in 1997.
He is a Nationalistic Composer
who wrote Bagong Lipunan during
the martial law.

 He wrote the
popular Christmas
carols Payapang
Daigdig (1946),
Noche Buena, and
Pasko Na Naman,
both in 1965.

Lucio San Pedro

He incorporated Philippine folk
elements in his compositions with
Western forms and harmony.
He was declared National Artist
for Music in 1991

 Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, a
lullaby melody sung
by his mother, was
his most popular
composition

Thank You!