NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR MUSIC FAMOUS WORKS

The National Artists for Music who are among the New Music Composers include
Lucrecia Kasilag, Jose Maceda, Ramon Santos, and Francisco Feliciano. Their
experimental new music has retained the Filipino essence by integrating the traditional
music practices as well as the indigenous rhythm and indigenous musical instruments in
their artistic works.
The National Artists for Music among the 20th century song composers and
lyricists are Levi Celerio and Ernani Cuenco. They fashioned unforgettable artistic styles
of traditional Filipino love songs, music for the cinemas and materials for modern
arrangements and concert performance. Oh, and Celerio composed and played music
with leaves. Let that sink in for a while.
Filipinos study the lives and works of National Artists and, in the case of National
Artists for Music, practice their well-known works and musical styles. Here are brief notes
on the 13 National Artists for Music:
Antonio J. Molina (1894 – 1980), a music educator and 20thcentury traditional
composer. He was the first National Artist for Music, date conferred in 1973. His sample
works were Misa Antoniana Grand Festival Mass and Ang Batingaw.
Jovita Fuentes (1895-1978), a broadway singer, date conferred in 1976. She sang the
roles of Liu Yu in Puccini’s Turnadot, Cio-cio san in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, and Mimi
in Puccini’s La Boheme.
Honorata “Atang” dela Rama (1902-1991), a kundiman singer who was named
National Artist for Music and Theater in 1987. Her sample works are Dalagang
Bukid and Pangarap ni Rosa.
Antonino Buenaventura (1904-1996), a 20th century traditional composer and
conductor who was named National Artist for Music in 1988. His sample works are
the Triumphal March and Echoes of the Past.
Lucrecia R. Kasilag (1918-2008), a music educator and new music composer who was
named National Artist for Music 1989. Her sample works are Toccata for Percussions of
Winds, Divertissement and Concertante—works that integrate indigenous Filipino
musical instruments into their composition.
Lucio San Pedro (1913-1996), a 20th century traditional composer and conductor who
was named National Artist in 1991. His sample works are The Devil’s Bridge and
the Malakas at Maganda Overture.
Felipe Padilla de Leon (1912-1992), a 20th century traditional composer, who was
named National Artist for Music posthumously in 1997. His sample works are Mariang
Makiling Overture and Roca Encantada.
Levi Celerio (1910-2002), a prolific lyricist and 20th century song composer who was
named National Artist for Music and Literature in 1997. His sample works are O
Maliwanag na Buwan (Iloko), Ako ay May Singsing (Pampango),
and Alibangbang (Visayan). He is notable as the only person to make music using just a
leaf, a feat recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Jose Maceda (1917-2004), a new music composer, became National Artist for Music in
1997. His sample work was Ugma-ugma and Pagsamba.
Ernani J. Cuenco (1936-1988), a 20th century song composer who was named National
Artist for Music posthumously in 1999. His sample works are Nahan, Kahit na
Magtiis, and Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa.
Andrea Veneracion (1928-2013), a choirmaster who received National Artist honors in
1999. She directed the The Madrigal Singers and taught them to sing in their signature
semi-circle arrangement.
Francisco Feliciano (1917-2014) a new music composer, date conferred in 2014. His
sample works are Ashen Wings and Sikhay sa Kabila ng Paalam.
Ramon P. Santos (born 1941), a new music composer who was named National Artist
for Music in 2014. His sample work is Pangahoy and L’Bad.
Raymundo Cayabyab (born 1954), also known as Mr. C, is a Filipino musician,
composer and conductor. He was named a National Artist of the Philippines in 2018.
Some of his sample works are Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka, Da Coconut Nut, and
Kumukutikutitap.