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##'#P a Filipino composer and lyricist who was born in Manila, Philippines. Celerio was a prolific song-writer, 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. P n 1997, he was named National Artist of the Philippinesfor Music.P He died on April 2, 2002."the only man who could play music with a leafP Born on April 30, 1910P received a scholarship to the Academy of Music in ManilaP became the youngest member of the Manila Symphony OrchestraP He wrote several number of songs for local movies, which earned for him the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Film Academy of the PhilippinesP Celerio wrote more than 4,000 songs, among them are popular pieces, which many consider to be immortal.P Christmas songs: Pasko na Naman, Maligayang Pasko at Manigong BagongTaon (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit), and Misade Gallo.P Love songs include: Saan Ka Man Naroroon?, Kahit KontingPagtingin, Gaano Ko IkawKamahal, Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan, Sa Ugoy ng DuyanP folk songs include ngPipit, Tinikling, Tunay na Tunay, Itik-Itik, Waray-Waray,P October 9, 1997, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1114, President Fidel V. Ramos proclaimed him a National Artist for Music and Literature.P He died at the Delgado Clinic in Quezon City on April 2, 2002 at the age of 91, just two days after the death of a fellow National Artist, Lucio San Pedro (who wrote the music for Sa Ugoy ng Duyan). But his death was overshadowed by the death a few days earlier of the popular matinee idol Rico Yan, thus, his death was received with little public attention. He was buried with full military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani=: