Philippine music has truly evolved from its indigenous roots to its contemporary form.

Throughout the centuries and through several colonial influences, the music in the Philippines
have become too Westernized especially during the American colonial period and after the Second
World War.

Rodolfo Cornejo is the only Filipino composer

with two doctoral degrees in music. He finished Doctor of
Philosophy Major in Composition from Neotarian
College, Kansas in 1947 and Doctor of Music degree
honoris causa from Chicago College in 1954. He is noted
for his extra ordinary ability to do impromptu classical
improvisation.

Rodolfo Cornejo was born on May 15, 1909 in

Singalong, Manila. He was inspired to take up piano
lessons when he saw his mother taking private piano
lessons under Maestra Gelacio Reyes. When Rodolfo
turned six, his mother Crisanta Soldevilla, felt he was
ready to have piano lessons. To every one’s surprise,
Rodolfo would turn out to be the most diligent pupil as he played fourteen pieces and six encores
during his first piano recital.

Rodolfo was considered as child prodigy. At the age of eight, he became the organist at
the Pasay Catholic Church. He wrote his first composition at the age of 10 entitled “Glisandro
Waltz”.

In 1950, he graduated in University of the Philippines and was offered a teaching position
by then UP President Rafael Palma. Some of the well-known musicians today like Lucio San
Pedro, Filepe De Leon, Candida Bautista, and Flora Zarco studied under him at the University
of the Philippines. Dr. Cornejo saw the plight of the musician in the Philippines, thus, he
established the National Federation of Music in 1934. Its goal is to promote and elevate music
standards in the Philippines. During his lifetime, Dr. Cornejo was able to compose around 300
vocalal and instrumental pieces combine.
He is most remembered for his compositions: “Piano Trio” (1966), “Beneath this heart of clay”
(1959), “Ruby” (1964), “Philippine Fantasy” (1962)
 Chino Toledo hails from a very musical clan in
Nueva Ecija. His Father, Victor Toledo, is the founder of
the famous Pangkat Kawayan. He got his early exposure
ang training in music through his participation in Pangkat
Kawayan. He took his formal music lessons at the Laperal
Music Academy and later finished a Bachelor’s degree in
music major in composition from the University of the
Philippines in 1979. His musical skills were honed by
masters of music Lucio San Pedro, Elesio Pajaro and
Ramon Santos.

CHINO TOLEDO’S PRIZEWINNING WORKS:

TATLUHAN (TRIO), TAGHOY NG KALIKASAN (Lament of Nature), TULAILI, ALI-IW,

DALAWANG UG-OG, UG-NAY, TANIKALA

He also served as a musical director and conductor in several productions of the Cultural
center of the Philippines such as: Lagi Kitang Naaalala, Pinoy Ako, Supling, Sanlahi, at Bayan,
Bayani, Bayanihan

Mr. Toledo is one of the recipients of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award
as well as the chancellor Award for Outsanding Musicl Works from the University of the
Philippines. He is married to Emily Ramos, a music education graduate and they have a lovely
daughter.
 Ryan Cayabyab is one of the most popular and
prolific composers in the Philippines today had written
works for ballet, theatre musicals, choral pieces, masses,
and pop songs. He also did commissioned works for
commercial jingles and movies.

Raymundo Cipriano Pujante Cayabyab, also

known as Ryan Cayabyab, Mr. C, as many of the people
in the music industry call him, was born on May 4, 1945
in Manila, Philippines. He is the son of soprano Celerina
Pujante and Alberto Cayabyab. He is married to
Emmy Punsalan, also a music graduate. Together, they
have two children: Cristina Maria and Antonio Maria
Cayabyab.

He Wrote Many Award-Winning Theatre Musicals Like:

 Noli Me Tangere
 El Filibusterismo
 Manificat
 KATY
 Alikabok
 Ilustrado
 Rama Hari
 Spoliarium
 LORENZO (Recent)

Aside From Being A Composer, Mr. C Also Managed Groups Like:

SMOKEY MOUNTAINS
 14 K

RCS (Ryan Cayabyab singers)

He Also Hosted Musical Shows:

Ryan Ryan Musikahan

One of the most notable contributuons of Cayabyab is the establishments of a music school.
Ryan Cayabyab The Music Studio specializes in developing performance artists. Ryan
Cayabyab has been a judge in the reality talent shows like Pinoy Dream Academy and Pinoy Idol.
He had performed in front of royalties and presidents of the world. He also has collaborated.