National Artists
for Music
Antonio R. Buenaventura [1904-1996]
Year of Conferment:1998
He popularized folksongs by
creatingmusic based on the wide
array of folksongs from various ethnic
groups in the Philippines
He brought the Philippine Army Band back to its
former glory, which was recognized as 'The only
band that can sound like a symphony orchestra.'
Echoes of the Past
His notable works include:
Ode to Freedom,Echoes of the Past,Echoes from
the Philippines,History fantasy,and Triumphal
March.
Ernani J. Cuenco
[1936-1988]
Year of Conferment:1999
Had written 'An outstanding and
memorable body of works that
resonates with the Filipino sense of
musicality and which embodies an
ingenious voice that raises the
aesthetic dimentions of contemporary
Filipino music'
Cuenco's repertoire as a musician Also known for his Filipino love ballads
include being a music teacher,a such as 'Kalesa', 'Bato sa
composer, a musical director, and a Buhangin','Gaano kita kamahal', and '
film scorer. Inang Bayan' which were enhanced by
He composed music for the films adding the elements of Kundiman to
Wild ,Wild Jess and El Vibora which earned the song. Inang Bayan
him the Best Music Award at MMFF in
1982 and FAMAS awards.
Jovita Fuentes
[1895-1978]
Year of Conferment:1976
In 1976, she made Philipine history
by being given the honor as the
First Female National artist for Music
Trained to play
the piano at the
age of five , Before Lea Salonga became a
famous Italian Broadway and West End
singer Salvina Superstar, Jovita Fuentes
Fornari mentored performed roles in major
her to be a star. productions such as Mimi in
Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème
and Princess Yang Gui Fe in LiTai
Pe.
Her role in the New York
production of Madama
Butterfly was one of her
proud moments
Jose Maceda
[1917-2004]
Year of Conferment:1997
• A highly acclaimed Filipino composer
and ethnomusicologist.
• Have training in music,cultural
anthropology ,legend performance
studies , dance and cultural studies.
Making the understanding of such
music interdisciplinary.
• Other compositions:
• His works have resulted in a vast 'Ugnayan', 'Aroding', and '
collection of recorded music taken Suling-suling'
from the remotest regions in the
country.
Suling-suling
• The most of his compositions were
performed as a communal ritual.
Such as 'Ugma-ugma', 'Pagsamba',
and 'Udlot-udlot'
Lucio D. San Pedro
[1913-2002]
Year of Conferment:1991
An educator, master conductor , and a
brilliant composer.
'Evoked the folk elements of the Filipino
heritage'
Some of his popular works include
Led local bands such as the Banda The Devil's Bridge (orchestral music) ,
Angono Numero Uno, San Pedro band 'Sa mahal kong bayan' (choral music),
of Angono , and the Peng Kong Grand 'Lahing kayumanggi'(band music) and
Mason Concert Band as master 'Sa ugoy ng duyan' (vocal music and a
conductor famous Filipino lullaby)
'Sa ugoy ng duyan'
Levi Celerio
[1910-2002]
Year of Conferment:1997
A highly talented lyricist, with more than
4000 songs under his name.
He was also known as an excellent leaf
player, using a leaf to create music as
cited by the Guinnes Book of World
records.
A famous lyricist for love songs such as
'Saan ka man naroroon' and 'Ikaw'.
Misa de Gallo
He also wrote some of the most well-
liked Christmas songs such as 'Misa de
Gallo' and 'Pasko na naman'
Felipe Padilla De Leon
[1912-1992]
Year of Conferment: 1991
A multitalented musician who was a
composer, a conductor,and a scholar.
His works have 'Filipinized Western Music
forms'
De Leon's body of works include
concertos,sonatas, and marches of Mariang Makiling Overture
which often described how Filipinos (Song#6)
express their feelings and aspirations in
times of strife and peace.
Some of maestro's notable works inlude ‘ Hatinggabi ‘
'Mariang Makiling Overture ‘,‘Orchestertuk’, (taught by Antonio Molina)
'Lupang Tinubuan' and the opera adaptation
Noli Me Tangere'
Lucrecia R. Kasilag
[1917-2008]
Year of Conferment:1989
She was a renowned Filipino
composer.
She creates the Bayanihan Folk Arts
Center .For research and theatrical
presentations that urges to
integrate native Filipino instruments She popularized the following
in orchestral productions. orchestral music:
Her Son, Jose, Sisa, and the
Legend of Sarimanok.
Antonio J. Molina
[1894-1980]
Year of conferment: 1973
Dean of Filipino Composers.
At a young age he learned to
play the Violoncello. He
performed at the Manila
Grand Opera.
He popularized the following:
‘Kung sa iyong Gunita’, ‘Awit ni
Maria Clara’, and
‘Larawan nitong Pilipinas’
Andrea O. Veneracion
[1928-2013]
Year of Conferment: 1999
She founded the Philippine
Madrigal Singers.
She was also the creator of the
Asian Institute For Liturgy and
Music (AILM) Chorale.
Francisco Feliciano
[1941-2014]
Year of Conferment:2014
He was a prolific composer of
over 30 major works. He studied
music composition at the
University of the Philippines, the
Hochschule der Kuenste in Berlin
Germany and the Yale University
School of Music.
He was mentored by Internationally He composed operas including:
renowned conductors and composers ‘La loba Negra’, ‘Ashen Wings’,
such as Martin Behrmann, Jacob ‘sikhay sa Kabla ng Paalam’ (Beyond
Druckman,Isang Yun, H.W. Zimmerman the Farewell) , and ‘Yerma’
and Krystof Penderecki.
An Excerpt from the opera
He received the John D. La Loba Negra
Rockefeller award in Music
composition in 1977.
