Music - 3rd Periodical Exam

Philippine music may be divided into four eras or traditions:

  • Ethnic,

  • Spanish colonial,

  • American colonial,

  • and Contemporary traditions.

Philippine music - is basically Western due to the cultural influence of the West, the Spanish, and the American rule for over three centuries.

Oriental (ethnic) musical backgrounds - are still alive but are found among the highland and lowlandbarrios where there is little Western influence.

Contemporary Philippine music - usually refers to compositions that adopted ideas and elements from the twentieth-century art music from the West including the musical style and the latest trends in the entertainment industry.

Composer - is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media.

Composition - is the art or process of creating a new piece of music.

  • This piece of music can range from a short, simple jingle, to a very long opera. Composers use compositional techniques to create their music.

Skills that composers find useful in their work:

  • Essential music theory

  • Writing musical notation including the use of music-notation software

  • Instrumentation

  • Trained Air

  • Improvisation

  • Other techniques for sound production.

Traditional Composers:

Antonio Molina (1894 - 1980)

  • dubbed as the "First National Artist in Music,"

  • born on December 26, 1894 in Quiapo, Manila

  • He came from a family of musicians.

  • His father Juan Molina, a government official, founded the Molina Orchestra.

  • He took his formal lessons on solfeggio and violin under one of the members of his father's orchestra, Celestino de Vera.

  • In 1909, he finished his Bachelor of Arts degree at San Juan de Letran. He created his first composition, "Matinal," in 1912.

  • In 1923, he received a teacher's diploma in violoncello at the UP Conservatory of Music.

  • At the age of 23, he married Pilar Siauingco, his firstwife.

  • Molina's musical brilliance was inherited by his children: Rosita, holder of a music teacher's diploma in piano; Exequiel, a saxophonist; Antonio Maria, a graduate in composition and choral conducting in the United States; and Monserrat, a pianist.

  • In 1965, he got married again. His second wife, Carmen Serrano, was a formerstudent of Molina with a bachelor's degree in music education.

  • Molina was the first composer who was asked to perform his compositions in the Malacañang Palace.

  • The Centro Escolar University String Quartet was the first chamber music group that he formed.

  • He was a mentor to two of the country's prominent composers, Lucresia Kasilag and Felipe de Leon.

  • Molina created over 500 compositions.

    Among his works are the following:

    • For Orchestra:

      • Misa Antoniana Grand Festival

      • Ang Batingaw

      • Kundiman-Kundangan

      For Chamber music:

      • Hatinggabi - a serenade for solo violin and piano accompaniment

      • String Quartet

      • Kung sa lyong Gunita

      • Pandangguhan

       For Voice:

      • Amihan

      • Awit ni Maria Clara

      • Larawan Nitong Pilipinas

      For Theater:

      • Ana Maria (sarswela)

      For Piano:

      • Malikmata

  • Antonio Molina received the following awards and distinctions:

    • Diploma of Honor, Manila Music Lovers Society, 1940

    • Commemorative medal and diploma, Department of Education, Health and Public Welfare, 1942

    • "Choral Conductor of the Year" and "Music Researcher of the Year," Music Lovers Society, 1949

    • Honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, CEU, 1953

    • Araw ng Maynila Award in music, 1969

    • Phi Kappa Phi Award and the UP Alumni Association Professional Award, 1972

    • Republic Cultural Heritage Award, 1965 and 1972

    • National Artist Award, 1973

  • At the age of 86, Antonio Molina passed away in 1980.

  • He was one of the first composers to integrate the pentatonic scale and indigenous instruments like kulintang and gabbang in his symphonies.

  • As part of his musical style, Molina introduced the whole tone scale,pentatonic scale,dominant ninths and eleventh chords, and counterpoints in his compositions.

  • Antonio Molina is known as the "Claude Debussy of the Philippines."

Lucio San Pedro (1913 - 2002)

  • The 1991 National Artist of the Philippines for Music

  • Lucio San Pedro was born on February 11, 1913 in Angono Rizal.

  • He was a master composer, conductor, and teacher.

  • He came from a musically talented family.

  • His father Elpidio San Pedro created a family band from which Lucio started his involvement in music.

  • During his late teenage years, he became a church organist after his grandfather's death.

  • San Pedro received training in advanced composition under Bernard Wagenaar of the Netherlands.

  • He took harmony and orchestration lessons with Vittorio Giannini and in 1947 he took classes at Juilliard.

  • He also taught at the UP College of Music where he acted as the chairman of the Department of Composition and Conducting for three years.

  • On May 9, 1991, Lucio San Pedro received his award as a National Artist for Music under the administration of President Corazon Aquino.

  • Various compositions of San Pedro include concertos for violin and orchestra, music for violin and piano, choral works, cantatas, chamber music, band music, and songs for solo voice.

  • At the age of 89, Lucio San Pedro died of cardiac arrest on March 31, 2002.

    Some of his compositions include the following:

    • For Orchestra:

      • Violin Concerto in D minor, 194

      • Malakas at Maganda Overture

      • Hope and Ambition

      • Prelude and Fugue in D minor

      • The Devil's Bridge

      For Band:

      • Lahing Kayumanggi, 1961

      • Dance of the Fairies

      • Triumphal March

      • Angononian March

      For Choir:

      • Easter Cantata

      • Sa Mahal Kong Bayan

      • Rizal's Valedictory Poem

      For Voice:

      • Ugoy ng Duyan (lyrics from Levi Celerio), 1943

      • Lulay

      • In the Silence of the Night

      San Pedro received the following awards and distinctions:

      • First Place, National Heroes Day Competition, 1930

      • First Place, President Laurel March, 1943

      • Special Award, National Composition Contest, 1946

      • Republic Cultural Heritage Award, 1962

      • Professor Emeritus from UP College of Music, 1979

      • Tanglaw ng Lahi Award from Ateneo de Manila University, 1981

      • Signum Merit Medal from De La Salle University, 1982

      • Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award, 1984

      • First Place, Second National Eucharistic Congress of the Philippines Hymn Contest, 1987

      • Asean Award for Music, 1990

      • Papal Award

      • National Artist of the Philippines for Music, 1991

Antonino Buenaventura (1904 - 1996)

  • Born of May 4, 1904, Died on January 25, 1996

  • Colonel Antonino R. Buenaventura is a soldier, composer, conductor and educator.

  • He was highlyacclaimed for his brilliance in the field of music. As a young boy, he was exposed to the music of his father, who was a band leader during the Spanish times.

  • He studied music and graduated from the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music.

  • He conducted the Philippine Military Academy Band and then led the Philippine Constabulary for sixteen years, transforming them into one of the finest military bands in the world.

  • Together with Francisca Reyes Aquino, National Artist in Dance, he conducted research on Philippine folk songs and dances, bringing folk music closer to the young people of today's generation.

  • Buenaventura wrote songs for soloinstruments and also symphonic and orchestralworks that are based on folk music of different ethnic groups, His major works include the following: Symphony in C Major, Echoes of the Past, Pandanggo sa Ilaw, and Mindanao Sketches.

  • Pandanggo sa llaw is both a love song and a courtship song in balitaw (a song that is usually a topical debate genre performed between a male and female) form. Written during the American period, it uses the key of A minor - A major mode.

Traditional Composers

Ryan Cayabyab

  • Born on May 4, 1954

  • Genre: Classical, Manila sound, jazz, religious, and adult contemporary

  • Styles and Instruments Used: vocal, piano, and multitrack recording (for his "One” series of albums)

  • Associated acts: 

    • Philippine Madrigal Singers

    • Ryan Ryan Musikahan (TV show)

    • Smokey Mountain

    • San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra

    • San Miguel Master Chorale

    • Philippine Idol

    • Dream Academy 2

  • Warmly known as "Mr. C” Raymundo Cipriano Pujante Cayabyab is a conductor, composer, arranger, pianist, singer, and mentor to many artists of today. He was born to a mother who was an opera singer.

  • Ryan Cayabyab was a working student taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in the University of the Philippines.

  • He was an accompanist for the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) Chorale Ensemble, where former Senator Salvador Laurel noticed his ability on the piano, and presented him a scholarship that would allow Ryan to alter his course and study music.

  • He earned a Bachelor of Music, Major in Composition degree from the UP College of Music and became a professor at the Department of Composition and Music Theory.

  • He was also appointed Executive and Artistic Director of the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts.

  • Cayabyab's works vary from specially madefull-length ballets, theater musicals, choral pieces, a crowd set to unaccompaniedchorus, and orchestral pieces, to salable recordings of popular compositions, film scores, and television specials.

  • His famous works include "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika”, "Kumukutikutitap, "Paraiso," and "Nais Ko.” "Kumukutikutitap" is just one of the many well-loved Filipino songs written in devotion to the Christmas season.

Rosendo Santos Jr. (1922 - 1994)

  • born September 3, 1922; died November 4, 1994

  • Rosendo Santos Jr. was a composer, timpanist, pianist, conductor, Filipino patriot, and educator.

  • He was born to the late Rosendo and Castora Santos.

  • He started composing band marches, instrumental and vocal scores, and Catholic masses at the age of, 11.

  • He was educated in Cavite schools and was a graduate of the University of the Philippines, Conservatory of Music where he later served as a faculty member.

  • He received his master's degree in theory and composition from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and later served at the faculty of the Catholic University, West Virginia University, and Howard University.

  • He received the title of "The Philippine Composer of the Century" and was quite famous abroad. Among his teachers were Aaron Copland, Irving Fine, Humphrey Searle, and conductor, Norman Del Mar.

  • As a prolific composer, his works include concertos, sonatas, symphonies, symphonic poems, five operas in Philippine dialect, numerous band overtures, and more than 200 marches. He wrote 50 masses in Latin and 20 in English and has more than 1,000 musical compositions in the library of the University of the Philippines.

  • He also wrote the background music for J. Arthur Rank Films at Pinewood Studios in London, England. His last musical work, Melinda's Masquerade, his only ballet, was performed in 1995, after his death in 1994.

Rodolfo Cornejo (1909-1991)

  • A composer, conductor, and pianist, Rodolfo S. Cornejo was born on May 15, 1909 in Singalong, Manila. His interest in music was kindled by her mother, Crisanta Soldevilla who also took piano lessons. Gelacio Reyes was Rodolfo's first piano teacher. At the age of 8, he became the organist of the Pasay Catholic Church. At the age of 10, he composed his first piece, Glissando Waltz, a piano piece which he dedicated to his mother. At 13, he composed a military march entitled Salute.

  • He entered the UP Conservatory of Music at the age of 14. ln 1950, he received his Teacher's Diploma in Pianoforte and another Teacher Diploma in Science and Composition. As a music professor in UP he was able to teach the following brilliant people:

    • Lucio San Pedro

    • Salvacion Oppus Yniguez

    • Aida Sanz

    • Liwanag Cruz

    • Flora Zarco

    • Felipe de Leon

    • Dalisay Aldaba

    • Enya Gonzales

    • Candida Bautista

    • Anastacio Sosa

    • Adoracion Reyes

    • Elena Ilagan

    • Jesus del Carmen

    • Josefino Cenizal

    • Julian Balita

  • To further his music studies, Cornejo acquired his Bachelor of Music in Piano from the Chicago Musical College in the United States in 1932. He also finished a Master of Music degree major in Composition from the same school. In 1947, he finished his Doctor of Philosophy in Composition at the Neotarian College in Kansas City.

    For influencing his musical style, Dr. Rodolfo Cornejo was grateful to the following professors:

    • Francisco Santiago and Glenn Dillard Gunn on piano

    • Alexander Lippay, Bernard Rogers, Howard Hanson, and Vittorio Giannini on composition

    • Nicanor Abelardo on theory and harmony

    • Dr. Rudolf Ganz on conducting and piano

  • In 1949, he married the lyric soprano Nieves Guerrero. Dr. Rodolfo d. Cornejo had this great ability to showcase his piano and composition skills through what he called "impromptu classical improvisation." He would just create a piano composition suggested by a telephone number, a car plate number, or a name. He would translate the number into a musical meaning and then make it the theme for the piano piece. If a birthdate, for example would be June 21, 1983, it would then be converted to its numerical representation as 6-2-1-1-9-8-3 and then into its melodic arrangement A-D-C-C-D-C-E. This would serve as its theme.

  • He died in Manila on August 11, 1991.

  • Some of his major works include the following:

    For Choir:

    • A La Juventud Filipina, 1934

    • Mass in F minor, 1936

    • The Miracles of Christ, 1947

    For Voice and Piano:

    • Three Songs, 1939

    • Beneath This Heart of Clay, 1959

    For Orchestra:

    • The Allies, 1943

    • Oriental Fantasy, 1944

    • Ruby, 1964

    For Theater:

    • Together (operetta), 1937

    • Ibong Adarna (ballet), 1970

    • Bailes de Ayer (ballet), 1974

    He received the following awards and distinctions:

    • Doctor of Music, honoris causa, Chicago Musical College, 1954

    • Distinguished Musical Achievement Award, Manila Symphony Society, 1957

    • Certificate of Merit, Pasay City Mayor, 1971

Hilarion Rubio (1902 - 1985)

  • A renowned conductor for chorus and band, Hilarion F. Rubio was born in Bacoor, Cavite on October 21, 1902 to Crisostomo Rubio and Faustina Francisco. He was exposed to music because of his uncles who were Dana musicians. He was first taught musically by an Aglipayan priest, Father Amando Buencamino, Through the priest's instruction, he learned solfeggio and a wide range of musical instruments like the clarinet, violin, and harmonium.

  • At the age of 8, he was accepted as a clarinetist in the Bacoor Band. By this time, he composed his first composition entitled Unang Katas for the band. After graduating high school, he established the "Anak Zapote Band.” He would have enrolled at the College of Law, but he felt deeply that he was born for music. So, he enrolled at the UP Conservatory of Music. During that time, there was an ROTC band where he became its bandleader and captain. He also involved himself as the timpanist in the UP Junior Symphony Orchestra.

  • In 1936, he became the opera conductor at the Manila Music School and also a choral conductor of a male choir, the Islanders. He was appointed instructor at the UP Conservatory of Music. He was also a faculty member of the following schools:

    • Buencamino Music Academy

    • Santa Isabel College

    • St. Theresa's College

    • La Concordia College

    • Laperal Music Academy

    • Valencia Academy of Music

    • College of the Holy Spirit

    • Manila Music School

    He was able to conduct the following operas:

    • La Boheme

    • I Pagliacci

    • Faust

    • Aida

    • Rigoletto

    • Lucia de Lamermoor

    • Cavalleria Rusticana

    • La Traviata

    • Il Trovatore

  • He also transcribed musical pieces as played through records because there was a lack of musical scores that time. The following were among those he transcribed from records:

    • Mademoiselle Angot, ballet music by LeCocq

    • The choral part of Polovtsian Dances by Borodin

    • Serenata de Amor by Mantovani

    • Valse Concentrate by Glazunov

    He also arranged the following:

    • Mass in C Major by Juan S. Hernandez

    • “Revolutionary Etude" for chorus and orchestra by Chopin

    • La Vita Breve by De Falla

    • Piano Concerto no. 4 in D minor by Rubenstein

    • Maria Clara, an operetta by Leon Ignacio

  • Hilarion Rubio also created music for movies like Kundiman, Palaboy ng Diyos, and Kaban ng Tipan.

New Music Composers

This group of composers departed from the standard form of classical music and explored alternative direction and concepts in music composition. Their compositions derive their essence, theories, and structures from Non-Western sources especially Asian music and indigenous Philippine cultural traditions. At the same time, they were influenced by the ideas of avant-garde composers of the twentieth century like Varese, and Cage.

Jose M. Maceda

  • The first avant-garde composer of the Philippines, Dr. JosĂ© M. Maceda, was born on January 31, 1917 in Manila. He studied composition, piano, and musical analysis in Paris, France. Later, he studied anthropology and ethnomusicology at the University of Chicago and Indiana University, respectively. In 1963, he earned a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of California in Los Angeles.

  • Dr. Maceda dedicated himself in promoting the Philippine music after his first field trip to Mindoro in 1953. He also involved himself in conducting research and composition of musique concrete.

  • His major works are the following avant-garde compositions:

    • Ugma-Ugma II - Maceda's first composition; a composition for Asian musical instruments and voices;

    • Agungan - a composition for six gong families;

    • Kubing - a composition for bamboo percussion and men's voices;

    • Pagsamba - a ritual music;

    • Cassettes 100 - a composition for one hundred cassette tape recorders;

    • Ugnayan - a music for several radio stations in Manila;

    • Udlot-Udlot - a composition premiered at the CCP parking lot with 800 performers;

Chino Toledo

  • Josefino "Chino Toledo is a composer, conductor, and a recognized figure in Asian contemporary art music and a leading voice among the new generation of contemporary artists.

  • Toledo is noted for premiering works of Filipino composers as well as other Asian composers. His own music is characterized by great energy and often bears a relationship to the traditional music of Southeast Asia.

  • He has conducted concerts in Japan, Indonesia, Australia, and China. His work, Mga Sulyap sa Simbahan ng Quiapo Mula sa Kalye Echague (Glimpses of Quiapo Church from Echague Street) was written for 18 instrumentalists, and included a Philippine ritual chant as a way to mingle the old with new materials.

  • Toledo's works also include music for theater, films, scoring libraries, orchestrations, and arrangements for different performing forces, and revisions and editing of Philippine Zarzuelas. Today, he is considered as one of the finest and best conductors ever.

Song Composers

A songwriter is an individual who writes the lyrics, melodies, and chord progressions for songs, often, for popular music genres such as rock or country music. A songwriter can also be called a composer, although the latter term tends to be used mainly for individuals from the classical genre.

Since the music industry is pressured to produce popular hits, songwriting becomes an activity for which the tasks are distributed between a number of people. For example, a songwriter who excels at writing lyrics might be paired with a songwriter with a gift for creating original melodies. Pop songs may be written by group members from the band or by staff writers – songwriters directly employed by music publishers.

Everyone can express his emotions through music. All human emotions can be manifested through songs. Songs emanate from the heart allowing sincere emotions to surface. Hence it is the expression of one’s self.

Characteristics of all good songs

a. The song is worth remembering. It sticks in the mind of every listener.

b. The song has a catchy phrase. Are you aware of the so-called last song syndrome or LSS? Its refrain that repeats in the song could be hummed even if it is heard an hour ago.

c. The song has an instant power to arouse a sympathetic response. It appeals to people from different walks of life.

d. The lyrics of the song use figurative language or phrases that produce distinct mental images. For example, a lyricist would not say “You make me happy when I am lonely” but perhaps, “ You’re the bright sunny day when the clouds are gray”.

e. The song has a well-crafted structure. A listener can easily identify the beginning, middle, and end parts of the song.

Levi Celerio (1910-2002)

A very prolific songwriter and the 1997 National Artist for Music and Literature. Levi Celerio was born on April 30, 1910, in Tondo, Manila. He studied at the Academy of Music in Manila. He was Manila Symphony Orchestra's youngest member.

At the age of 91, he died on April 2, 2002, and buried with full military honors at the National Heroes' Cemetery.

Celerio's Compositions range from Philippine folk songs, Christmas songs, love songs, to patriotic songs. He wrote more than 4,000 songs and among them are the following:

Christmas Songs:

  • Pasko na Naman

  • Ang Pasko ay Sumapit

  • Misa de Gallo

Love Songs:

  • Saan Ka Man Naroroon?

  • Kahit Konting Pagtingin

  • Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal

  • Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan

  • Ikaw 

  • Sa Ugoy ng Duyan 

  • O, Maliwanag na Buwan

Patriotic Songs:

  • Tinig ng Bayan

  • Ang Bagong Lipunan

  • Lupang Pangarap

Celerio's awards include the following:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Film Academy of the Philippines

  • National Artist of the Philippines for Music and Literature, 1997

Ernani Cuenco

Birth: May 10, 1936

Died: July 11, 1988

Ernani Cuenco was a composer, film scorer, musical director, and music teacher. His works embody a Filipino sense of musicality, and the classical sound of the kundiman is evident in some of his ballads. He earned his Bachelor of Music Major in Piano degree from the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music and took postgraduate studies with the late Ben Tupas. He also studied cello at the University of Santo Tomas. His music is still loved as of this day which include songs like "Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal", "Kalesa, and "Bato sa Buhangin" to name a few.

George Canseco (1934-2004)

A nationally-applauded composer of memorable songs, George Canseco was born on April 23, 1934 in Naic, Cavite. He was the youngest of the three children of Dr. Jose Canseco. He received his education at the University of the East with a Liberal Arts degree. After he graduated, he immediately accepted a job as a journalist at the Philippine Herald and the Associated Press. He also worked as an independent scriptwriter in Manila. He did not train formally in a conservatory of music. But, he studied piano on his own and was able to write, notate and compose songs at an early age.

In 1972 when Martial Law was declared, Canseco started to write music and Imelda Marcos, the former Philippine First Lady, commissioned Canseco to compose Ako ay Pilipino, the national tribute hymn.

In 1973, he was elected as the President of the Filipino Society Composers, Authors, and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP). He even entered politics in 1988 when he got elected councilor for the First District of Quezon City.

He died of cancer and liver disease on November 19, 2004, in Manila at the age of 70.

Awards and Honors:

  • Best Theme Song, Kapantay ay Langit, 1971

  • Best Song of the Year, Manila Film Festival, 1972

  • Grand Prize, Ako ang Nagwagi, Ako ang Nasawi by Dulce, World Song Festival in Hongkong, 1979

  • Best Theme Song, FAMAS, Langis at Tubig, 1980

  • Best Theme Song, FAMAS, Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan, 1982

  • Best Theme Song, FAMAS, Paano Ba ang Mangarap, 1983

  • Best Theme Song, FAMAS, Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin, 1984

  • Song of the Year, True Love Came Too Late, AWIT Awards, 1984

  • Best Theme Song, Imortal, 1989 for MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival)

  • Best Theme Song, FAMAS, Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, 1991

His compositions include the following:

  • Pagputi ng Uwak..Pag-itim ng Tagak, 1978

  • Pieta, 1983

  • Paradise Inn, 1985

  • Bomba Arienda, 1985

  • Magdusa Ka!, 1986

  • Iyo ang Tondo, Kanya ang Cavite, 1986

  • Kailan Tama ang Mali, 1986

  • Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig, 1987

  • Huwag Mong Itanong Kung Bakit, 1988

  • Muling Ibalik ang Tamis ng Pag-ibig,1998

  • Paano ang Ngayon Kung Wala ang Kahapon, 1995

  • Ikaw, 1993

  • Ngayon at Kailanman, 1992

  • Imortal, 1989

  • Ang Babaeng Nawawala sa Sarili, 1989

  • Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita, 1989

  • Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat, 1987

  • Langit at Lupa, 1988

  • Paano Tatakasan ang Bukas?, 1988

Constancio De Guzman

Born: November 11, 1903 

Died: August 16, 1982

Constancio de Guzman was known as the "Dean of Filipino Movie Composers and Musical Directors." He studied piano and composition under Nicanor Abelardo but his father sent him to law school. He switched to commerce and finished business administration. After he took the certified public accountant (CPA) board exams, he started working in the movies. His "accidental" hit, "Panaginip," paved the way for him to record hundreds of songs, principally under Villar Records and Columbia Records. Some of De Guzman's notable compositions are "Bayan Ko", "Babalik Ka Rin," "Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig," "Birheng Walang Dambana," and "Maalaala Mo Kaya."

Mike Velarde (1913-1985)

Guided by the principle "Think Filipino, Write Filipino, and Sound Filipino, " Miguel "Mike" Velarde, Jr. did not stop composing songs and movie scores that would reflect the richness of our musical heritage. He was born on October 23, 1913, in Manila, but after a year his family moved to Zamboanga. He is the second son of Miguel Velarde Sr., a medical doctor, and Dolores Guison, his mother, who could sing well and also play the piano.

At age 6, Mike Velarde received his first training in music from his mother who taught him in his piano and violin lessons. During high school age, he became a member of the orchestra of Zamboanga Normal School. In 1931, he graduated valedictorian and went to Manila to study medicine at the University of the Philippines. However, music was calling him from his inner being. So, he decided to study music, but this did not please his father. Velarde thought of this as a challenge to prove to his father that being a musician is just as good as being a doctor. Therefore, he supported his own studies and even became a bus conductor.

Exposing him to the works of Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco Santiago, Velarde received his first lessons in composition and harmony from Antonio Molina and Ariston Avelino. When he already learned the basic principles of music, he continued to study music all by himself.

Velarde's first song hit was entitled "Ugoy-ugoy Blues, which he played on the radio and became so popular. He became the editor of the Literary Song Movie Magazine. He also wrote film music scores for Sampaguita Pictures where he handled its advertising. 

He received the following awards and citations:

  • FAMAS Best Picture, 1960

  • FAMAS Best Musical Direction, 1961

  • Best Conductor Award, First International Popular Song Contest, Tokyo, Japan, 1970

  • Cultural Achievement Award in Popular Music, Cultural Center of the Philippine Government Cultural Association, 1975

Some of his major works include the following:

Songs:

  • Amor Santo, 1935

  • Ulilang Puso, 1936

  • Ala-ala Kita, 1938

  • Habang Buhay, 1938

  • Lahat ng Araw, 1939

  • Minamahal Kita, 1940

  • Titibok-tibok, 1948

Movies:

  • Diwa ng Karagatan, 1935

  • Nasaan Ka Irog, 1936

  • Bituing Marikit, 1938

  • Madaling Araw, 1938

  • Ang Dating Sumpaan, 1939

  • Nina Bonita, 1940

  • Sa Hirap at Ginhawa, 1954

Restie Umali

Born: June 16, 1916

Died: 1998

Restituto Umali, popularly known as Restie Umali, is a popular film score composer. He is a teacher of choral arranging and orchestration at the UST Conservatory of Music, Major in Composition and Conducting at the UP Conservatory of Music, and Commerce at the Jose Rizal College. His main works are scores for motion pictures. He studied harmony with Felipe P. De Leon. His most popular songs are "Saan Ka Man Naroroon," "Alaala ng Lumipas," "Ang Pangarap Koy Ikaw," "Sa Libis ng Barrio," "Di Ka Nag-isa," and "Paano Kita Lilimutin."