Topic:

The National Artists of the Philippines for Music

Objectives:
Explains Filipino artists’ roles and Identify their
contribution to contemporary Arts. CAR11/12CAP-oc-e-5
-Identify the National Artist for Music
-Enumerate representative works that made them national artists
-Discuss the important contributions of these national artists to the
development of Philippine music.
-Explain their roles and Identify their contribution to contemporary arts.
Philippines is located in Southeast Asia, Why is it that
its popular and contemporary musical tradition is
Western ?
-because of the Spanish and the American colonization
periods.
There were no descriptions of Philippine music
during the precolonization times.
According to musicologist Corazon Canave-
Dioquino, however,”subsequent reports made by
friars, civil servants and travellers include
descriptions of instrumental and vocal music.”
She further identified these instruments as “gongs of
various kinds of size and shapes, drums, flutes of
different types, zithers, lutes, clappers and buzzers.”
As for vocal music, Canave-Dioquino in her study
enumerated”epics relating genealogies and exploits of
heroes and gods; work songs related to planting, harvesting,
fishing; rituals songs to drive away evil spirits or to invoke
blessings from the good spirits; songs to celebrate festive
occasions particularly marriage, birth, victory at war, or the
settling of tribal disputes; mourning songs for the dead;
courting songs; and children’s game songs.”
Early Philippine music was instrumental and vocal in form.
Because Christianity –particularly Catholicism was
dominant force during Spanish era, Canave-Dioquino
described Philippine music as “religious music
connected to and outside the Catholic liturgy and a
European-inspired secular music adapted by the
Filipinos and reflected in their folk songs and
instrumental music.”
During the American period, she explained that
Philippine music changed when music started to be
taught in schools.
Zarzuela entered the scene and Filipinos were exposed
to pop culture which "gave rise to music created by
Filipinos using Western pop forms.”
Philippine contemporary music is heavily influenced
by the West because of Colonization.
 The National Artists for Music
1.Antonino Ramirez Buenaventura
1904-1996
Year of Conferment: 1988
-his legacy to Philippine music according to the NCCA is a
musical career "that spanned seven decades of unwavering
commitment to advancing the frontiers of Philippine music.”
-popularized folksongs by creating music based on the wide
array of folksongs from various ethnic groups in the
Philippines.
-his notable works: Ode to Freedom, Echoes of the
Past, Echoes from the Philippines, History Fantasy and
Triumphal March.
-he brought the Philippine Army Band back to its
former glory which was recognized as “ the only band
that can sound like a symphony orchestra.”
2. Ernani J. Cuenco
1936-1988
Year of Conferment: 1999
-according to the NCCA he 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.”
-his repertoire as a musician include being a music teacher,
a composer, a musical director, and a film scorer.
-as a film scorer, he composed music for the films Wild,
Wild, Jess and El Vibora, which earned him the Best
Music Award at the Metro Manila Film Festival in 1982
and FAMAS awards.
-known for his Filipino love ballads such as “Kalesa”,
“Bato sa Buhangin”, Gaano Kita Kamahal” and “Inang
Bayan” which are enhanced by adding the elements of
Kundiman to the song.
3. Jovita Fuentes
1895-1978
Year of Conferment: 1976
-first female National Artist for Music.
-Trained to play the piano at age of five, famous Italian
singer Salvina Fornari 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 Boheme 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.
-hailed as the first international Filipino diva
4. Jose Maceda
1917-2004
Year of Conferment: 1997
-highly acclaimed Filipino composer and
ethnomusicologist (is an interdisciplinary study of
music along with other fields such as cultural
anthropology, performance studies and dance.)
-his works have resulted in a vast collection of recorded
music taken from the remote regions in the country.
-most of his compositions were performed as a
communal ritual such as: the “Ugma-ugma”(1963),
Pagsamba(1968) and “Udlot-udlot” (1975)
-his other famous compositions are”Ugnayan”,
“Aroding”. And “Suling-suling”
5. Lucio Diestro San Pedro
1913-2002
Year of Conferment: 1991
-an educator, master conductor and a brilliant composer
-he “evoked the folk elements of the Filipino heritage.”
-coming from a family of musicians
-started his musical career at a young age following the
footsteps of grandfather who was the organist at the
local church.
-Led the local bands such as: Banda Angono Numero
Uno, the San Pedro Band of Angono and Peng Kong
Grand Mason Concert Band as master conductor.
-some of his popular works include : The Devil’s Bridge
(orchestra music) “ Sa Mahal Kong Bayan” (choral
music) , Lahing Kayumanggi(band music) and “Sa
Ugoy ng Duyan”(vocal music), a Famous Filipino
lullaby.
6. Levi Celerio
1910-2002
Year of Conferment: 1991
-highly talented lyricist, with more than 4000 songs
under his name.
-this volume of lyrics is perhaps his contribution which
has greatly enriched the Philippine music for no less
than two generations and has appealed to all social
classes.
-known as an excellent leaf player, using a leaf to create
music as cited by the Guinness Book of World Records.
-he is famous lyricists for love songs such as: “Saan ka
Man Naroroon” and “Ikaw”.
-he wrote some of the most well-liked Christmas songs
such as” Misa de Gallo” and “Pasko na Naman”
7. Felipe Padilla De Leon
1912-1992
Year of Conferment: 1991
-multitalented musician who was a composer, a
conductor, and a scholar.
-his works have”Filipinized Western music forms”
-his works includes: Concertos, sonatos, and marches
which often described how Filipinos express their
feelings and their aspirations in times of strife and peace.
-his notable works includes: Mariang Makiling
Overture, Orchestertuk and Lupang Tinubuan and the
opera adaptation Noli Me Tangere.
8. Lucrecia Roces Kasilag
1917-2008
Year of Conferment: 1989
-a native of La Union
-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.”
-She create the Bayanihan Folk Arts Center for research
and theatrical presentations that urges to integrate native
Filipino instruments in orchestral productions.
-popularized the following orchestral music: Her Son,
Jose, Sisa and the Legend of Sarimanok.
9. Antonio J. Molina
1894-1980
Year of Conferment: 1973
-Dean of Filipino Composers.
-multitalented musician, writer and music educator.
-at young age, he learned to play the violoncello.
-his playing for the Manila Grand Opera House.
-he taught some of the most astonishing artistry such as
Felipe Padilla de Leon.
-”Hatinggabi” a popular serenade for solo violin and
piano supplement, can be credited to him.
-popularized the following music such as: “Kung sa
Iyong Gunita” ,“ Awit ni Maria Clara”, and “Larawan
Nitong Pilipinas”
10. 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 acquired several international
awards including UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2009.
-creator of the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music
(AILM) Chorale.
-by founding the Philippine Madrigal Singers she had
been responsible for spearheading of the development
of Philippine choral music according to NCCA.
11. Francisco Feliciano
1941-2014
Year of Conferment: 2014
-prolific composer of over 30 major works.
-studied music composition at the UP, the Hochschule
der Kuenste in Berlin, Germany, and the Yale University
School of Music.
-mentored internationally by renowned conductors and
composers such as Martin Behrman, Jacob Druckman,
Isang Yun, H.W. Zimmerman and Krystof Penderecki
-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.
GOD bless us!!!