Famous Filipino Composers

Levi CelerioHe wrote 4000 songs and remained poor. But that is something every man of his kind takes pride of.

His compositions range from Filipino folk songs to Christmas songs to love songs.

His name was placed in the Guinness Book of World Records for his leaf-playing feat.

He was known as the only man who could play music with a leaf. He died on April 2, 2002.

Christmas songs: Pasko na Naman, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, and Misa de Gallo. Love songs: Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan, and Ikaw. Folk songs: 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.His best songs combine great poetry, philosophy and passion. These are O Maliwanag na Buwan, Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, Bagong Pagsilang and Sapagkat Kami'y Tao Lamang. Levi also wrote nationalistic songs such as Ang Bagong Lipunan, Lupang Pangarap, and Tinig ng Bayan. Imagine the world without these songs, and the Philippines would have been less known for its happy, romantic and enthusiastic people.

Julin Felipe A dedicated music teacher and composer, he was appointed by then-PresidentEmilio Aguinaldoas Director of the National Band of theFirst Philippine Republic. He died inManila.

As the composer of the music of the Filipino national anthem, now known asLupang Hinirang.

NICANOR ABELARDO Abelardo was a prolific composer of the kundimanin the 1920s. His works Bituing Marikit,sarsuela, Dakilang Punglo, Kundiman ng Luha, Mutya Ng Pasig and ''Nasaan Ka Irog?'' had stirring, poetic lyrics which later evolved into movie theme songs.TributeHis composition ''Naku Kenkoy!" (1930) combines the fox-trot and waltz with humor. Used as a tribute to thekomikscharacter,Kenkoy, His works have continued to draw interest even after his death in 1934. He composed more than 144 songs.Father of Filipino Sonata

Antonio J. Molina(1894-1980) was aNational Artistof the Philippines. A musical great, he was considered the peer of two other great Filipino musiciansNicanor AbelardoandFrancisco Santiago. His talent was prodigious: he was the first violoncellist of pre-war times, a composer, conductor, pedagogue, and music administrator. As a composer Molina was credited with over 500 compositions, including:Hatinggabi, among earliest violin selectionsMalikmata, pianoAna Maria, zarzuelaMisa Antoniana Grand Festival MassAng Batingaw, Kundiman- Kundangan; (chamber music)Kung sa Iyong Gunita, Pandangguhan; (vocal music)Amihan, Awit ni Maria ClaraLarawan Nitong Pilipinas, among others.A true pioneer, he was one of the first composers to incorporate pentatonic scales and ethnic instruments such as thekulintang, andgabbangin his symphonies.Antonio J. Molina

Kapantay ay Langit paved the way to numerous hit songs like "Kailangan Kita," "Ako Ang Nagwagi, Ako Ang Nasawi," "Ngayon At Kailanman," "Dito Ba" and "Langis at Tubig."Cansecos songs have helped most of our talented performers rise to fame. He has composed hits for singers like Basil Valdez, Kuh ledesma, Sharon Cuneta, Dulce, and Pilita CorralesHe has won a total of 6 FAMAS Awards for Best Movie Theme Song.the Artistic Achievement Award.He was paid 1.5 million my Pres. Marcos for composing the song Ako Ay Pilipino. He composed more than 193 songs.George CansecoMulti-awarded composer Canseco had no formal training in music. When Martial Law was declared in 1972, he turned to composing songs. His first composition was I Will Never Be Yours, followed by Youre all I Love.

The Father of Kundiman Art SongHe was born inSanta Maria, Bulacan, onJanuary 29,1889to musically-minded peasant parents. In1908,

Santiago's masterpiece was the cocerto de B flat minor" for pianoforte and orchestra. His most famous piece "Kundiman, (Anak-Dalita)", was sung upon the request ofKing Alfonso XIII before the Royal Court ofSpain.

His other compositions are the kundiman "Sakali Man", "Hibik ng Filipinas", "Pakiusap", "Ang Pag-ibig", "Suyuan", "Alaala Kita", "Ikaw at Ako", "Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran?", "Hatol Hari Kaya?", "Sakali't Mamatay", "Dalit ng Pag-ibig", "Aking Bituin", "Madaling Araw" and "Pagsikat ng Araw".

He was named UP Emeritus Professor of Piano, on May 25, 1946. The nationalistic musician died of heart attack onSeptember 28,1947. Francisco Santiago

Freddie Aguilar-Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar -February 5, 1953 (age55) -Singer-songwriter (composed 44 songs)-known works: anak, Bulag, Pipi at Bingi, Magdalena, Olongapo, bayan ko, Trabaho, and Estudyante Blues. Anak, This song about parents unconditional love for a wayward son was released in 56 countries and translated into more than 26 foreign languages. -Bayan Ko (theme song of anti-Marcos protesters )-awards: Cecil Awards for Folk Vocal Performance, Asia Star Award from the Korea .

He composed more than 100 songs.

Joey Ayala-a contemporary pop music artist -Songwriter and columnist -an Economics graduate of the Ateneo de Davao University -combines the sounds of Filipino ethnic instruments with modern pop music. -uses indigenous string instruments and modern instruments like electric guitar, bass guitar and drums -known works: tabi po, "Walang Hanggang Paalam" , "Wala Nang Tao Sa Santa Filomena." -Awards:Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Award for Social Artistry, Datu Bago Award,TOYM

Apo Hiking Society -Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society -famous group was organized in 1969-originaly composed of 13 members-ateneo de manila highschool-Daniel Danny Javier, 57, Jaime Ramon Jim Paredes, 53; and Jose Boboy Garovillo, 53. -distinct Filipino culture and style -known works:Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba, Pumapatak ang Ulan, Nakapagtataka, doobidoo -awards:The Best Group cited by the Awit Awards

Gary Granada-born in 1960 in Maco Davao (Compostela Valley) -finished valedictorian at Maco Heights and Maryknoll schools.-Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Philippines (kicked out of U.P. and has no college diploma)-known works: Dam, Bahay, Mabuti pa sila-works as voice and on-cam talent for PCIJ, DED,ABS-CBN, PROCESS, GMA Network and Ad Agencies

Cruz's compositions "Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi" and "I'll Never Ever Say Goodbye" respectively helped make Didith Reyes and Nonoy Zuiga popular.More accessible

He also did the theme songs for the movies "Kung Mahawi man ang Ulap," "Maging Akin Ka Lamang," "Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga," and "Himala Ng Pag-Ibig." And his compositions, "Bituing Walang Ningning," "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas," "Bukas Luluhod ang mga Tala" and "Oras-Oras, Araw-Araw" made their mark because the melodramatic progression of the ballads made Sharon Cuneta more accessible to the masses.WILLY CRUZ

Ryan CayabyabHe is the most popular Filipino composer of modern times. Through the years, Ryan Cayabyab has gone into jazz, theater, and pop to cover all listening bases. He even incorporated ethnic music in Misa, Kapinangan, and Maria Makiling.But like other composers, He endeared himself to the public through his radio-friendly compositions like Araw Gabi, Iduyan Mo, Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Kailan, Kumukutikutitap, Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako, Liman-Dipang Tao, Wala Kang Katulad, and Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka.Cayabyabs works are often praised for their poetic yet easy to grasp word play mirroring the plight of the common people.He composed more than 400 songs and still counting.

Jose Mari ChanJose Mari Chan(born March 11, 1945) is aChinese Filipinosinger, songwriter and businessman in the sugar industry. Among his famous songs were Tell me your name, Christmas in our hearts, Beautiful Girl and Constant change.He is known for his Beautiful Girl and become one of the most-respected and most-enduring singer-songwriter of the country. He is the only singer/composer/producer that has been bestowed lifetime achievement awards

Ely Buendia-Eleandre Basio Buenda -born November 2, 1970--University of the Philippines, Diliman -writer and musician who gained fame as guitarist, songwriter, and lead vocalist in the popular Pinoy rock band -Eraserheads, The Mongols, Pupil,-known works: Pare ko, Ang huling El Bimbo, Ligaya-"The Beatles of the Philippines"

Ogie Alcasidsinger, songwriter, comedian, composer, television host, actor, and entrepreneur.His well known song were Nandito Ako , Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?, Kailangan Koy Ikaw, Pangako Sa yo and Ikaw Sana.

Roman Villame, real name of Yoyoy, went a long way from being a public utility driver and a councilor from Cebu before finally recording his own music. Yoyoy was known for his catchy novelty songs such as "Mag-Exercise Tayo," "Si Filemon," "Hayop Na Kombo," "Tarsan at Barok," "Philippine Geography," "Butsekik," among others. His long list of hits and his entertaining style of music earned him the title of "King of Philippine Novelty SongsYoyoy Villame

Lito CamoLito Camois aFilipinosinger and songwriter. He established his reputation more solidly as a composer instead of being a singer which was his initial dream. Known for his novelty hits, he is dubbed as reigning king of the novelty songs. He turned artists into an instant sensation because of his songs. Among his famous composition were, Pera O Bayong, Bakit Papa, Spaghetti Song, Ms. Flawless, Igiling-Giling, Bulaklak, lagot ka!, In or Out, Wowowee, Dododo Dadada, Giling-Giling and Nakaka...

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