CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE MUSIC COLONEL ANTONIO R.

BUENAVENTURA (1904-
20TH CENTURY COMPOSERS 1996)
Col. Antonio Ramirez Buenaventura was born on May
FRANCISCO B. BUENCAMINO SR. (1883-1952) 4, 1904 in Baliuag, Bulacan.
FRANCISCO B. BUENCAMINO Sr. was born on - He is a renowned composer, conductor ,and teacher.
November 5, 1883 in Bulacan. His father Lucio was the chief musician of the Spanish
- He studied music composition and harmony at Liceo artillery band in Intramuros and founder of Banda
de Manila. Buenaventura.
- He created the Buencamino Music Academy in 1930 - At the age of 19, Buenaventura further developed his
where Nicanor Abelardo was one of his students. musical abilities at the Conservatory of Music,
Expanding his career, he ventured into musical University of the Philippines.
directing and scoring , and composing film music for - Buenaventura was actively involved with the various
Sampaguita Pictures, LVN, and Excelsior. military bands which ultimately earned him his rank of
Buencamino’s compositions include Harana, Colonel.
Pandanggo ni Neneng, Collar de Sampaguita, Dulces - A multi awarded musician, he composed Minuet,
las Horas, Mayon, My Soul’s Lament, Larawan, Mindanao Sketches, Variations and Fugue and
Mazurka Boholana, Mi Bandera, Ang Bagong Balitaw, Greetings.
Himig ng Nayon and Pizzicanto Caprice.
RODOLFO S. CORNEJO (1909-1991)
FRANCISCO S. SANTIAGO (1889-1947) Dr. Rodolfo Sodevilla Cornejo was born on May 15,
Francisco Santiago, PhD was born on January 29, 1909 in Singalong, Manila.
1889 in Sta.Maria, Bulacan. He is known as the - He performed on stage after only two years of music
“Father of the Kundiman” and belongs to the studies.
“Triumvirate of Filipino - During this time, he was also invited as organist of
Composers “. the Pasay Catholic Church.
- Among his famous works are Pakiusap, Madaling - His first composition at the age of 10 was a piano
Araw, Sakali man, Hibik ng Pilipinas, Ano kaya ang piece entitled Glissando waltz.
Kapalaran, and Kundiman (Anak Dalita). - It was followed three years later by a military march
- He became the first Filipino Director of the University entitled Salute.
of the Philippines (UP) Conservatory of Music. - Cornejo was the soloist of the Manila Symphony
- He died on September 28, 1947. Orchestra, the Filipinas Youth Symphony Orchestra,
and the UP Symphony Orchestra.
NICANOR S. ABELARDO (1893-1934) - He wrote over 300 compositions ranging from
Nicanor S. Abelardo was born in San Miguel de classical to pop.
Mayumo, Bulacan on February 7, 1893. - Among these were A la Juventud Filipina, Bailes de
- He is one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers”. - Ayer, and Christ the Redeemer.
He studied at the Chicago Music College and was
influenced by the musical styles of Schoenberg, FELIPE P. DE LEON SR. (1912-1992)
Hindemith, and Stravinsky. Felipe Padilla de Leon was born on May 1, 1912 in
- Abelardo developed a style that combined European Penaranda, Nueva Ecija.
romanticism with chromaticism. - Known as a nationalist composer who expressed the
- His best-known compositions include Mutya ng Philippines cultural identity through his composition.
Pasig, Nasaan ka Irog, Cavatina for Violoncello, and - He wrote piano compositions , hymns, marches, art
Magbalik ka Hirang. song, chamber music, symphonic poems, overtures,
- He also composed the melody for the University’s band music, school songs, orchestral works, operas,
official anthem U.P. Naming Mahal. kundiman, and zarzuelas.
- His two operas, Noli Me Tangere and El
ANTONIO J. MOLINA (1894-1980) Filibusterismo, are considered his masterpieces. He is
Antonio J. Molina was born on December 26, 1894 in a National Artist for Music.
Quiapo, Manila. He is the first National Artist for Music.
- He is considered one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino LUCIO D. SAN PEDRO (1913-2002)
Composers”. Lucio Diestro San Pedro was born on February 11,
- He began his music career as an orchestral soloist at 1913 in Angono, Rizal.
the Manila Grand Opera House. - He started composing as early as his elementary
- He went on to serve as Dean of the Centro Escolar days.
University Conservatory of Music from 1948 to 1970. - He later pursued his music degree at the University of
- He is best known for his poignantly romantic the Philippines and the Juilliard School in New York.
serenade for violin and piano Hatinggabi. San Pedro is known as a “romantic nationalist”.
- Other works by Molina include orchestral music Misa - He incorporated Philippine folk elements in his
Antoniana Grand Festival Mass, Ang Batingaw, compositions with Western forms to create highly tonal
Kundiman-Kundangan. melody and rich expressive harmonies.
ROSENDO E. SANTOS JR. (1922-1994)
Rosendo Ejercito Santos Jr. was born on September 3,
1922 in Caridad, Cavite City.
- At age 11, he started composing band marches ,
instrumental and vocal scores. As a UNESCO scholar,
Santos was awarded the “Philippine Composer of the
Century”.
- A prolific composer whose works include concerti,
sonatas, symphonies, symphonic poems, five operas
in a Philippine dialect, numerous band overtures, and
over 200 marches.
- He also wrote 50 masses in Latin and 20 in English.

ALFREDO S. BUENAVENTURA (born 1929)

Alfredo Santos Buenaventura, composer, conductor,
and a teacher , was born in Sta. Maria, Bulacan on
October 14, 1929.
- A prolific composer, he has composed over 50 major
works including five full length operas, operettas,
dance drama, cantatas, symphonies, concerti, ballets,
overtures, preludes, fugues, and chamber
music.Among Buenaventura’s works are Maria
Makiling(1961), Diego Silang(1966), and Prinsesa
Urduja (1969).

RAYMUNDO CIPRIANO “RYAN” P. CAYABYAB

(born 1954)
Raymundo Cipriano “Ryan” P. Cayabyab was born on
May 4, 1954 in Manila.
- A contemporary composer and conductor who spans
both popular and classical worlds with his pop music,
ballads, operas, zarauelas, orchestral arrangements,
masses, psalms, and choral compositions.
- Among these are the award winning Kay Ganda ng
Ating Musika , the modern zarzuela Alikabok and the
opera Spoliarium with libretto by Fides Cuyugan-
Asensio. His compositions are mostly of traditional
Western influence.

HILARION FRANCISCO RUBIO (1902-1985)

He was born on October 21, 1902 in Bacoor, Cavite.
- A composer, music teacher, conductor, and
clarinettist, he created substantial works for the
orchestra. He served as conductor for opera, ballet,
dance, recitals, and movie music.