Philippine Traditional, Contemporary, and New Music

Vocabulary flashcards covering key Philippine traditional, avant-garde, and popular song composers, their notable works, and related musical terms.

Composition

The art or process of creating a new piece of music; the work produced by a composer.

Traditional Composer

A composer whose works follow established Philippine musical forms and styles before the avant-garde period.

Lucio San Pedro

1991 National Artist for Music; master composer, conductor, and teacher best known for “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan.”

“Sa Ugoy ng Duyan”

Lullaby composed by Lucio San Pedro with lyrics by Levi Celerio; one of the most beloved Filipino songs.

Antonio Molina

1973 National Artist dubbed the “Claude Debussy of the Philippines” and “Dean of Filipino Composers”; Father of Modern Music.

“Matinal”

Antonio Molina’s first composition (1912).

Rodolfo Cornejo

Composer, conductor, pianist noted for “Glissando Waltz,” “Impromptu classical improvisation,” and ballet music for “Ibong Adarna.”

Impromptu Classical Improvisation

Rodolfo Cornejo’s method of creating piano pieces from telephone or car-plate numbers or names.

“Ibong Adarna” (ballet)

Famous theatrical ballet music composed by Rodolfo Cornejo.

Hilarion Rubio

Renowned Filipino band and choral conductor; composer of “Unang Katas” and piano piece “Kalooye-tabe,” founder of Anak Zapote Band.

Anak Zapote Band

Band established by Hilarion Rubio after high school graduation.

“Kalooye-tabe”

Well-known piano composition by Hilarion Rubio.

New Music / Avant-garde

Radical musical movement of the late 20th century marked by experimentation and non-traditional techniques.

Jose M. Maceda

First Philippine avant-garde composer; 1997 National Artist; integrated Asian instruments and large-scale sound environments.

“Ugma-ugma II”

Maceda’s first avant-garde work (1963) for Asian instruments and voices.

“Agungan”

Maceda composition for six gong families.

“Kubing”

Maceda piece for bamboo percussion and men’s voices.

“Pagsamba”

1968 ritual music by Jose Maceda.

“Cassettes 100”

Maceda composition for one hundred cassette recorders.

“Ugnayan”

Maceda work written for simultaneous broadcast over several Manila radio stations.

“Udlot-udlot”

1975 Maceda piece performed by 800 musicians at the CCP parking lot.

Lucrecia R. Kasilag

“First Lady of Philippine Music,” 1989 National Artist; wrote over 250 works blending Western and indigenous sounds.

Jeremiah A. Dadap

Composer who combined rondalla instruments with Western orchestra; wrote “The Passionate and the Wild” (1960).

Ramon P. Santos

Avant-garde composer known for free serialization, electronics, and controlled improvisation.

“Ding Ding Nga Diyawa”

1971 choral work by Ramon Santos blending Western and Eastern percussion.

“Nabasag ang Banga”

1973 choral piece by Santos for sixteen performers interacting with the audience.

“Siklo”

Avant-garde piece by Santos using vocal utterances and synthesizer heartbeats to depict life cycles.

Song Composer

A writer of popular Filipino songs characterized by memorable melodies, catchy phrases, evocative lyrics, and solid structure.

Constancio de Guzman Sr.

Renowned film music director; composer of classics like “Maalaala Mo Kaya” and patriotic song “Bayan Ko.”

“Maalaala Mo Kaya”

Iconic tango by Constancio de Guzman; title means “Will You Remember?”

“Bayan Ko”

Nationalistic song by Constancio de Guzman, often sung during political rallies.

Levi Celerio

1997 National Artist for Music & Literature; wrote 4,000+ songs and famed as the world’s only professional leaf player.

Mike Velarde

Composer adhering to “Think Filipino, Write Filipino, Sound Filipino”; wrote “Ugoy-ugoy Blues” and many film scores.

George Canseco

Celebrated songwriter; wrote “Ako ay Pilipino” for Imelda Marcos and hits like “Ngayon at Kailanman.”

“Ako ay Pilipino”

Patriotic hymn composed by George Canseco in 1972.

“Ngayon at Kailanman”

1992 love ballad by George Canseco, popularized by Basil Valdez.