UNIT III: CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE MUSIC

Contemporary Philippine Music

- Refers to compositions that have adopted ideas from 20th century music in the west, as well as the
latest trends and musical styles in the entertainment industry.

1) TRADITIONAL COMPOSERS

With the European and American influences brought by our colonizers, it was unavoidable
that the musical styles of 20th century Western composers found their way into Philippine compositions.
Yet, even 20th century Filipino composers have managed to retain some traditional elements in their
assimilation of Western techniques. In fact, they have become the strongest foundations of what we now
know as Philippine music.

FRANCISCO B. BUENCAMINO SR. (1883 – 1952)

- Was born on November 5, 1883 in Bulacan. He was the son of a musically inclined couple.
- He studied music composition at Liceo de Manila.
- He taught at the Ateneo de Manila, and at Centro Escolar de Señoritas whose Conservatory of Music he
founded.
- He also created the Buencamino Music Academy in 1930 where Nicanor Abelardo was one of his
students.
- Expanding his career, he ventured into musical directing and scoring, and composing film music for
Sampaguita Pictures, LVN, and Excelsior.
- He passed away on October 16, 1952 after which a posthumous award honored him with the title
“Outstanding Composer.”
• Compositions:
Harana, Pandanggo ni Neneng, Collar de Sampaguita, Dulces Las Horas, Mayon (Fantasia de
Concierto, My Soul’s Lament, Larawan, Mazurka

FRANCISCO SANTIAGO (1889 – 1947)

- Is known as the “Father of the Kundiman” and belongs to the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers.”
- Composed several works such as kundiman.
o Kundiman - ay isang tradisyonal na awit ng pag-ibig ng mga Filipino. Karaniwang ipinapahayag
sa awit na ito ang matapat na pag-ibig ng isang manliligaw.
- He became the first Filipino Director of UP Conservatory of Music.
• Compositions: Pakiusap, Madaling Araw, Sakali Man, Hibik ng Pilipinas, Ano kaya ang Kapalaran,
Kundiman (Anak Dalita)

NICANOR ABELARDO (1893 – 1934)

- is one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers” which includes Antonio Molina and Francisco
Santiago.
- he studied music at the Chicago Music College and was influenced by the musical styles of Schoenberg,
and Stravinsky.
Compositions: Mutya ng Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog, Cavatino For Violencello, Magbalik ka Hirang

ANTONIO J. MOLINA (1894 – 1980)

- The First National Artist for Music
- Considered as one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers” which includes Nicanor Abelardo and
Francisco Santiago.
- Molina wrote several compositions for piano, violin, and voice as well as a Spanish-style opera form
known as the zarzuela.
 Zarzuela - is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the
latter incorporating operatic and popular song, as well as dance.
 Compositions: Hatinggabi, Batingaw
LUCIO SAN PEDRO (1913 – 2002)
- Molina Lucio San Pedro was born on February 11, 1913 in Angono,Rizal.
- Since his elementary days, he started composing.
- Pursued music Degree in UP and the Juilliard School in New York, USA
- Declared as NATIONAL ARTIST for Music in 1991.
- Known as ROMANTIC NATIONALIST.
 Compositions:
UGOY NG DUYAN- lullaby melody sung by his mother.
SUITE PASTORAL – a poetic audio description of his hometown Angono.
LAHING KAYUMANGGI– Nationalistic poem.

RYAN CAYABYAB (1954 – PRESENT)

- A popular contemporary music composer.

- He obtained his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of the Philippines’ College of Music. After
which, he became a faculty member for Composition at the same University.
- At present, he continues to be the in demand professor, musical director, composer, arranger, and
conductor in the Philippine concert and recording scenes.
 Compositions
 Kay Ganda ng Musika (1978)
 Zarzuela Alikabok (2003)
 The opera Spoliarium by Fides Cuyugan-Asensio.

2. NEW MUSIC COMPOSERS

- New-age music is a genre of music intended to create artistic inspiration.

Composers of Filipino New Music retained the Filipino spirit by incorporating traditional music forms as well
as indigenous rhythms and instruments in their compositions.

JOSE MACEDA (1917 – 2004) National Artist for Music

- Jose Maceda was born in Manila on January 17, 1917. He started his music studies at the Academy of
Music in Manila.
- His work was dedicated to the understanding and preservation of Filipino traditional music.
- His compositions were usually for large groups of musicians.
- Maceda combined sounds of the environment with ethnic instruments.

 Compositions
o Ugma-Ugma - a work for voice and ethnic instruments;
o Agungan - a piece for six gong families;
o Pagsamba - a musical ritual for a circular auditorium using several ethnic percussion instruments;
o Ugnayan - an ethnic piece played at the same time over several radio stations.

LUCRECIA R. KASILAG (1918 – 2008)

- Lucrecia R. Kasilag was born in San Fernando, La Union on August 31, 1918. She went to Manila to
pursue a degree in Music at the Philippine Women’s University.
- She is particularly known for incorporating indigenous Filipino instruments into orchestral productions.
- She is credited for having written more than 200 musical works, For all these outstanding achievements,
she was conferred the title of National Artist for Music in 1989.

 Compositions
o The Legend of the Sarimanok - composed for chamber orchestra and Philippine ethnic instruments
o Dularawan - a musical drama combining a dance solo and an ethnic orchestra.
3. SONG COMPOSERS
The 20th century Filipino song composers/lyricists had produced a memorable output of traditional Filipino
love songs, music for the movies.

LEVI CELERIO (1910 – 2002)

- Prolific lyricist and composer Levi Celerio was named National Artist for Music and Literature in 1997.
- He had written the lyrics for over 4,000 songs in his lifetime, including many for film.
- His achievements include a citation in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the
only person to make music with a mouth-blown leaf.

 Compositions
o Ang Pipit
o Bagong Pagsilang
o Sa Ugoy ng Duyan
o Misa de Gallo
o Itik-itik (folk song);
o Tinikling (folk song)

GEORGE CANSECO (1934 – 2004)

- Was considered “a nationally acclaimed composer of numerous popular Filipino classics.”
- He composed songs for Filipino singers and movie stars.
- He wrote songs for the country’s top popular singers such as Sharon Cuneta, Basil Valdez, Regine
Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pilita Corrales, Martin Nievera, and Kuh Ledesma.

 Compositions
o One of his best-known compositions was Child, the English-language version of Freddie
Aguilar’s signature song Anák
o Kailangan Kita
o Tubig at Langis
o Sinasamba Kita
o Kastilyong Buhangin
o Ngayon at Kailanman
o Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan
Name:___________________________________ Section:______________________

Activity 1: Read each question and identify what is being asked.

 ____________________________ - He was born on November 5, 1883 in Bulacan. He was the son of a

musically inclined couple. He passed away on October 16, 1952 after which a posthumous award
honored him with the title “Outstanding Composer.”
 ____________________________ -
 ____________________________ - “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers”
 ____________________________ -
 ____________________________ - is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken
and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular song,
as well as dance.
 ____________________________ - His achievements include a citation in the Guinness Book of World
Records for being the only person to make music with a mouth-
blown leaf.
 ____________________________ - Ito ay isang tradisyonal na awit ng pag-ibig ng mga Filipino
Karaniwang ipinapahayag sa awit na ito ang matapat na pag-ibig ng
isang manliligaw.
 ____________________________ - Refers to compositions that have adopted ideas from 20th century
music in the west, as well as the latest trends and musical styles in
the entertainment industry.
 ____________________________ - She is credited for having written more than 200 musical works,
For all these outstanding achievements, she was conferred the title
of National Artist for Music in 1989.
 ____________________________ - She is also known for incorporating indigenous Filipino
instruments into orchestral productions
 ____________________________ - Was considered “a nationally acclaimed composer of numerous
popular Filipino classics.”
 ____________________________ - A popular contemporary music composer and at present, he
continues to be the in demand professor, musical director,
composer, arranger, and conductor in the Philippine concert and
recording scenes.
 ____________________________ - He became the first Filipino Director of UP Conservatory of Music.
 ____________________________ - He was named National Artist for Music and Literature in 1997.
 ____________________________ - He composed songs for Filipino singers and movie stars.

Activity 2: Identify the composer of the following musical composition.

 ____________________________ - Harana, Pandanggo ni Neneng, Collar de Sampaguita, Dulces Las
Horas, Mayon (Fantasia de Concierto, My Soul’s Lament,
Larawan, Mazurka.
 ____________________________ - Kailangan Kita, Tubig at Langis, Sinasamba Kita,Kastilyong
Buhangin, Ngayon at Kailanman, Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan
 ____________________________ - Ang Pipit, Bagong Pagsilang, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, Misa de Gallo,
Itik-itik (folk song); Tinikling (folk song)
 ____________________________ - Mutya ng Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog, Cavatino For Violencello,
Magbalik ka Hirang
 ____________________________ - Ugma-Ugma, Agungan, Pagsamba, Ugnayan
 ____________________________ - Ugoy ng duyan, Suite pastoral, Lahing kayumanggi.
 ____________________________ - Kay Ganda ng Musika, Zarzuela Alikabok, The opera Spoliarium
 ____________________________ - Hatinggabi, Batingaw
 ____________________________ - The Legend of the Sarimanok, Dularawan
 ____________________________ - Pakiusap, Madaling Araw, Sakali Man, Hibik ng Pilipinas, Ano
kaya ang Kapalaran, Kundiman (Anak Dalita)
Activity 3: Essay
In your own words, describe the characteristics of Filipino contemporary music.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________.

Activity 4: Performance Task

WHAT TO PERFORM

For group work, do the following:

1. The class will be divided into four groups. Each group will choose a song composer that was
discussed in class. You research further on his compositions, if needed.
2. Select compositions that you like best or you are familiar with or you may learn a new song.
3. Sing the three (3) minutes medley in class with your groupmates interpreting the music with
appropriate pitch, rhythm, style, timbre, dynamics, melody, texture, harmony, and expression.
4. You may bring an instrumental accompaniment like guitar, flute, recorder, maracas,
tambourine, or keyboard.
5. You may bring a minus one music in CD, or from your mobile phone, or USB.
6. You may improvise simple vocal or instrumental accompaniment/s to the songs you have
chosen.
7. You may explore ways of creating sounds as instrumental accompaniment to the song from a
variety of sources or from the environment.
8. Your teacher will choose the “Best Singing Group” based on:

Musicianship (musical elements) - 60%,

Presentation impact and showmanship - 20%,
Ensemble coordination and organization - 20%.
100%

GROUP 1 GROUP 2 GROUP 3

ALBERTO, Shin Justin Codelio ANTONIO, Mikko Daria BARCELON, Jayvee Lizarte
CARILLO, Jose Ponciano Agapito GARCIA, Mark Anyhony Fernandez GOMEZ, John Eric Fermin
INGAR, Kennete Dungca LOBO, Lester John Mangilig MALLARI, Erwin Sotto
MARCIAL, Johncel Quiambao MARTIN, Anjo Manalo MAYOYO, Bryan James Dungca
RAMOS, Dominique Cabigting RAMOS, Joel Iglesia RAMOS, Joshua Lagradante
RIVERA, Patrick Paulo SANCHEZ, John Kenneth Fermin TAGAMPA, John Riel Torres
ARCEO, Leona Carissa Sembrano BULACSO, Princess Lhea Cirineo CASTILLO, May Ann Timbol
CUSTODIO, Mycah Gomez DAMAYO, Michelle Serrano DELA CRUZ, Reshely Dimarucut
FULGENCIO, Rogelia Aguilar GALAS, Jermaine Viray GOMEZ, April Ann Reyes
LOMOTOS, Mailyn Quintal MALLARI, Jowena Razon NOBLES, Shiela Mae Morrow
RETIRO, Jannella Marie Sigua RONQUILLO, Kimberlyn Castro SAMSON, Bianca Ann Galang
SEMBRANO, Sherilyn Aguilar SICAT, Erika Mae Carreon SINIO, Jaycel Torres
SUPAN, Ivy Carlos TABAMO, Ronalyn Esteban TARUC, Jacklyn Bio

GROUP 4
CABALU, John Paul Tabamo
INGAR, Eugene Mallari
MANALANG, Rhayan Santos
PINEDA, Palo Miguel Aguas
RAMOS, Walter Cortez
TAPANG, Joshua Macasiog
COMESARIO, Abigail Castillo
ELISCUPIDES, Pamela Ellana
GUERRERO, Katrina Gomez
PARUNGAO, Roselle Abuel
SANTOS, Alliah Ocampo
SUBA, Bless De Lara
TORRES, Beverly Jane Sicat