The Biographies of Filipino Composers and Filipino Singers Update 2

The Biographies of Filipino Composers and Filipino Singers.

As prepared by Juan Carlos F. Villaverde and submitted to Mrs. Diamante, subject instructor in Mapeh101

Filipino Composer ● Levi Celerio

Levi Celerio (April 30, 1910 – April 2, 2002) was a Filipino composer and lyricist. Celerio was a prolific songwriter, with over 4,000 songs to his credit. He is perhaps best known for being a leaf-player, a feat for which he was put into the Guinness Book of World Records. In 1997, he was named National Artist of the Philippines for Music. Levi Celerio was born on April 30, 1910 in Tondo, Manila. He received a scholarship to the Academy of Music in Manila and became the youngest member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra. He wrote several number of songs for local movies, which earned for him the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Film Academy of the Philippines. Celerio has written lyrics for more than 4,000 Filipino folk, Christmas, and love songs, including many that became movie titles. Known for being a good lyricist, his songs cherish life; convey nationalistic sentiments and utter grand philosophies. Celerio wrote more than 4,000 songs, among them are popular pieces, which many consider to be immortal. At one time or another, no Filipino could miss the tune or lyrics of Levi's Christmas songs: Pasko na Naman, Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit), and Misa de Gallo. His more popular love songs include: Saan Ka Man Naroroon?, Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan, and Ikaw, O Maliwanag na Buwan, Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, Bagong Pagsilang, and Sapagkat Kami'y Tao Lamang, while his folk songs include Ang Pipit, Tinikling, Tunay na Tunay, Itik-Itik, Waray-Waray, Pitong Gatang, Ako ay May Singsing, Alibangbang, Alembong, Galawgaw, Caprichosa, Ang Tapis ni Inday, Dungawin Mo Hirang, Umaga na Neneng, Ikaw Kasi, and Basta't Mahal Kita. Celerio also wrote nationalistic songs such as Ang Bagong Lipunan, Lupang Pangarap, and Tinig ng Bayan.

Filipino Composer ● Julian Felipe

Julián Felipe (January 28, 1861 – October 2, 1944), was the composer of the music ofthe Filipino national anthem, formerly known as "Marcha Nacional Magdalo", now known as Lupang Hinirang. Julián Felipe was born in Cavite City, Cavite. A dedicated music teacher and composer, he was appointed by then-President Emilio Aguinaldo as Director of the National Band of the First Philippine Republic. He died in Manila. He studied at a public school in Cavite and Binondo, Manila for his primary education. At an early age, he showed his talent in music. He also learned how to play the piano and the organ. Later, He became an organist in St. Peter's Parish Church. As an organist, Felipe was given the chance to hone his gift. Soon after he was composing songs. Among his early popular compositions were Moteti el Santesisimo, Sintos y Floras Rogodones, Amorita Danza, and Reina de Cavite (In honor of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga). He impressed many music enthusiasts with the said pieces. Though still young, his works were already at par with the seasoned musicians. In recognition of his remarkable contributions in the field of music, he was given awards and accolades.

Filipino Composer ● Nicanor Abelardo

Nicanor Sta. Ana Abelardo (February 7, 1893 – March 21, 1934) was a Filipino composer known for his Kundiman songs, especially before the Second World War. Nicanor Abelardo was born in' San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan. His mother belonged to a family of artists in Guagua', the Hensons. He was introduced to music when he was five years old, when his father taught him the solfeggio and the banduria. At the age of 8, he was able to compose his estoryahe first work, a waltz entitled "Ang Unang Buko," which was dedicated to his grandmother. At the age of 13, he was already playing at saloons and cabarets in Manila. At age 15, he was already teaching in barrio schools in San Ildefonso and San Miguel Bulacan. All of these happened even before young Abelardo finally took up courses under Guy F. Harrison and Robert Schofield at the UP Conservatory of Music in 1916. By 1924, following a teacher’s certificate in science and composition received in 1921, he was appointed head of the composition department at the Conservatory. Years later, he ran a boarding school for young musicians, and among his students were National Artist Antonino Buenaventura, Alfredo Lozano and Lucino Sacramento. In the field of composition he is known for his redefinition of the kundiman, bringing the genre to art-song status. Among his works were "Nasaan Ka Irog," "Magbalik Ka Hirang," and "Himutok." He died in 1934 at the age of 41, leaving a collection of more than 140 works. As a composition major at the University of the Philippines, he also composed the melody for the university's official anthem, U.P. Naming Mahal.

Filipino Composer ● Ladislao Bonus

Ladislao Bonus was a composer, conductor, contrabass player, and teacher. His pioneering work on musical drama earned him the title of "Father of the Filipino opera". The eldest son of Pedro Bonus and Maria Mariano, he was born in Pandacan on June 27, 1854. He acquired his first lessons in music from Gregorio de Luna and Guillermo de Luna. Motivated by a strong desire to learn, he became so proficient with the violin, cello and viola that he could easily substitute for a player of any of those stringed instruments. He mastered the contrabass and served in the orchestra every time a foreign opera company visited Manila. Sometime in 1887, Bonus organized a complete opera company in Pandacan. It was composed entirely of Tagalog musicians and singers, to wit: Teodora San Luis and Josefa Tiongson, sopranos; Victoria Madina, mezzo soprano; Andres Ciria Cruz and Jose Conseco, basses; and Carmen Mendoza, Juana Natividad, Remegio Natividad, Rufina Bonus, Agustin Natividad, Marcela Barroga, Simon Natividad, Valentin Natividad, and Mariano Natividad, chorus members. Bonus served in the company as director and conductor of the orchestra. Jose Canseco was the stage director. The group’s maiden performance, which was held at the town’s cockpit was a success. There followed invitations for it to perform in Manila. In the capital city, the segundo cabo of the colonial government, Antonio Morto, became on of the opera’s zealous supporters. The Manila performances of the group won the hearts of the city folks and established Bonus’ reputation in the field of music.

In 1888, Bonus joined the Manila Cathedral orchestra. He was the “soul and life” of the Women’s Orchestra organized by Raymundo Fermin in Pandacan sometime in 1890. He gave private piano lessons to members of the rich and prominent families not only in Manila but also in the provinces. He conducted the Marikina Orchestra, the Pasig Band, and the Arevalo Band of Quiapo. Under his direction, the Arevalo Band won first prize during the Regional Exposition in Hanoi in 1902. This band served the Revolutionary Government in Malolos in 1898-1899. Bonus wrote the musical score of the Pedro Paterno’s zarzuela, “Sandugong Panaginip”, which was presented at the Tratro Manila on August 16, 1902. Aside from musical scores for several Tagalog zarzuelas, the other works for Bonus were “Recuerdos a la Patria", with lyrics by Jose Rizal; “Pasadoble Hanoi” (1902); “Triumphal March", which was composed for the First Philippine Assembly; and another march entitled, “Los Dipotados". He also wrote the music for the song of Maria Clara in Rizal’s novel, Noli Me Tangere. Bonus married Rosalia Guanzon, by whom he had eight children, namely, Rufina, Petronila, Angel, Leonisa, Benilda, Amado, Eloisa and Alfredo. He was at the height of his illustrious career when he died on March 28, 1908 at the age of 54.

Filipino Composer ● Alice Doria-Gamilla

Alice Doria-Gamilla became remarkable for her composition of "A Million Thanks To You" using her original piano arrangement in 1960. The song was later on recorded by "Asia's Queen of Songs", Pilita Corrales which hit the millionth mark in sales which was a first in the Philippine recording history. It eventually became the signature song of Pilita's longest running musical show on television, "An Evening with Pilita". It was later recorded by Bobbi Martin of the "Jackie Gleason Show" in the United States under Coral Records. The song was such a big hit, it was recorded in 7 different languages after. She was born on 20 September 1931 in Nagcarlan, Laguna, Philippines. As someone who could play the piano by ear at the age of three, she was given formal instructions when she was six. She was reared in an atmosphere of music teaching by her mother (Socorro Plantilla Cuento), father (Santos Montañano Doria) and elder sister (Consuelo Cuento Doria). She completed Elementary Teacher's Certificate at the National University. She first worked as a critic teacher for two years at the Elementary Department of National University. She became the pianist of the Division City schools of Manila, and a demonstrator and choral conductor of teachers and children's group. As a new discovered composer in 1964, she was featured as a pianist playing her own compositions in the Television Filipinesque Show in Channel 3 sponsored by Northern Motors in coordination with Music Promotion Foundation of the Philippines. Another composition she made which was to become as popular as "A Million Thanks To You" was her "Sa Lahat ng Oras". She took up Bachelor of Science in Education and graduated as Magna Cum Laude at the National University, Manila in 1965. She continued her music studies at the University of Santo Tomas majored in Piano under Professor Bernardino Custodio. Alice took up further studies in composition under Professor Felipe Padilla de Leon.

To date, she had composed more than 300 published & unpublished, recorded and unrecorded songs. She appeared in various concerts for socio-civic organizations,radio and television shows both in the Philippines and in the U.S. Alice received numerous awards and citations in the Musical Arts Sector. But she considers as her crowning glory when she was bestowed the "Gintong Ina" award for the Musical Arts Sector in 1982. She was a member/board of trustee of the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers FILSCAP for many years.

Filipino Composer ● Rosalina Abejo

Rosalina Abejo (July 13, 1922 – June 5, 1991) was born in Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental in the Philippines, and died in Fresno, California. She was the first Filipina composer and conductor, and a nun of the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary. She studied composition at the Philippine Women's University, and in 1977 she moved to the United States, where she studied at Eastman School of Music and The Catholic University of America. She taught composition and music theory at Kansas University and St Pius Seminary in Kentucky. Before this she travelled extensively in order to fund-raise, and to attend international music conferences. Abejo has received a number of honours, including the Republic Culture Heritage Award (1967), Philippines' Independence Day Award (1973), and being elected president of the Philippine Foundation of Performing Arts in America in 1980. She is interred at Irvington Memorial Cemetery, Fremont, California.