Imelda C. GradoBSED-MAPEHThe Filipino composer and musicians and
their contributions
Ryan CayabyabRyan CayabyabBorn:May 4,
1954Birthplace:ManilaRace:AsianField:Composer
Warmly known as Mr. C, born Raymundo Cipriano Pujante Cayabyab
on May 4, 1954 inManila, Philippines. Ryan's mother was an opera
singer; she died when he was only 6, while hisfather fight to
sustain him and his three siblings. His mother's wish was that no
one of her children would make music as a line of work; knowing how
tough life is for a musician withinsufficient income.Ryan Cayabyab
firstly took up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in
the Universityof the Philippines, Diliman. But at the same moment,
he searched for an employment to sustainhis studies, and sooner
join with then-Senator Salvador Laurel as accompanist for
theDevelopment Bank of the Philippines (DBP) Chorale Ensemble.
Noting his incomparable abilityon the piano, the Senator presented
him a scholarship that would allow Ryan to alter his courseand hold
learning in music.Cayabyab afterward graduated from the UP College
of Music earning a Bachelor of Music,Major in Composition degree.
Following that, he became a complete professor for theDepartment of
Composition and Music Theory in the UP Diliman for about two
decades.At the twist of the century, he was about to take his
family and transfer abroad, but when presented by Danding
Cojuangco, President of the San Miguel Corporation, a authority
post thatwould give him full way in producing and performing new
music that would carry out a newwave to the Philippine music scene,
he acknowledged the proposal.Ryan Cayabyab is a prominent Filipino
musician and the existing Executive and Artistic Director of the
San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts. His works vary from
specially made full-length ballets, theater musicals, choral
pieces, a crowd set to unaccompanied chorus, andorchestral pieces,
to salable recordings of popular composition, film scores and
televisionspecials. Now, he is presently in his 7th year as
Executive and Artistic Director of the San MiguelFoundation for the
Performing Arts
Levi CelerioLevi Celerio (April 30, 1910 April 2, 2002) was a
Filipino composer and lyricist. Celerio was a prolific songwriter,
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. In 1997, he was named National Artist of the
Philippines for Music.Early life and careerLevi Celerio was born on
April 30, 1910, in Tondo, Manila to parents that hailed from
Baliuag, Bulacan. He received a scholarship to the Academy of Music
in Manila and became the youngest member of the Manila Symphony
Orchestra. He wrote several number of songs for local movies, which
earned for him the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Film Academy
of the Philippines. Celerio has written lyrics for more than 4,000
Filipino folk, Christmas, and love songs, including many that
became movie titles.Known for being a good lyricist, his songs
cherish life, convey nationalistic sentiments and utter grand
philosophies. Celerio wrote more than 4,000 songs, among them are
popular pieces, which many consider to be immortal. At one time or
another, no Filipino could miss the tune or lyrics of Levi's
Christmas songs: Pasko na Naman, Maligayang Pasko at Manigong
Bagong Taon (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit), and Misa de Gallo.His more
popular love songs include: Saan Ka Man Naroroon?, Kahit Konting
Pagtingin, Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan, and Ikaw,
O Maliwanag na Buwan, Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan,
Bagong Pagsilang, and Sapagkat Kami'y Tao Lamang, while his folk
songs include Ang Pipit, Tinikling, Tunay na Tunay, Itik-Itik,
Waray-Waray, Pitong Gatang, Ako ay May Singsing, Alibangbang,
Alembong, Galawgaw, Caprichosa, Ang Tapis ni Inday, Dungawin Mo
Hirang, Umaga na Neneng, Ikaw Kasi, and Basta't Mahal Kita. Celerio
also wrote nationalistic songs such as Ang Bagong Lipunan, Lupang
Pangarap, and Tinig ng Bayan.Celerio, for a time, was also
recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the only man
who could play music with a leaf. Because of his talent, Celerio
was invited to The Merv Griffin Show, where he played "All the
Things You Are" with 39 musicians. Using his leaf, Levi wowed the
crowd and got the attention of the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Book later listed the entry: "The only leaf player in the world
is in the Philippines". He would also later appear on That's
Incredible!Proclaimed as National ArtistOn October 9, 1997,
pursuant to Proclamation No. 1114, President Fidel V. Ramos
proclaimed him a National Artist for Music and Literature. His
citation read that his music "was a perfect embodiment of the
heartfelt sentiments and valued traditions of the Filipino.
Nicanor Abelardo(Father of filipino sonata)Nicanor Sta. Ana
Abelardo (February 7, 1893 March 21, 1934) was a Filipino composer
known for his Kundiman songs, especially before the Second World
War.LifeNicanor Abelardo was born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan.
His mother belonged to a family of artists in Guagua, the Hensons.
He was introduced to music when he was five years old, when his
father taught him the solfeggio and the banduria. At the age of 8,
he was able to compose his estoryahe first work, a waltz entitled
"Ang Unang Buko," which was dedicated to his grandmother. At the
age of 13, he was already playing at saloons and cabarets in
Manila. At age 15, he was already teaching in barrio schools in San
Ildefonso and San Miguel Bulacan. All of these happened even before
young Abelardo finally took up courses under Guy F. Harrison and
Robert Schofield at the UP Conservatory of Music in 1916. By 1924,
following a teachers certificate in science and composition
received in 1921, he was appointed head of the composition
department at the Conservatory. Years later, he ran a boarding
school for young musicians, and among his students were National
Artist Antonino Buenaventura, Alfredo Lozano and Lucino Sacramento.
In the field of composition he is known for his redefinition of the
kundiman, bringing the genre to art-song status. Among his works
were "Nasaan Ka Irog," "Magbalik Ka Hirang," and "Himutok." He died
in 1934 at the age of 41, leaving a collection of more than 140
works.[1]As a composition major at the University of the
Philippines, he also composed the melody for the university's
official anthem, U.P. Naming Mahal.Discography 1937 - Nasaan ka,
Irog (music) 1937 - Bituing Marikit (Sampaguita) (music) 2013 - The
Songs of Nicanor Abelardo featuring baritone Joseph Legaspi, tenor
William Lim, soprano Katrina Saporsantos, and pianist Benjamin
Dia.
Freddie AguilarFerdinand Pascual Aguilar (born February 5,
1953), better known as Freddie Aguilar or Ka Freddie Aguilar, is a
folk musician from the Philippines. He is best known for his
rendition of "Bayan Ko", which became the anthem for the opposition
to the Marcos regime during the 1986 People Power Revolutionand for
his song "Anak", the best-selling Philippine music record of all
time He is heavily associated with Pinoy rockHe is well known
internationally, and within the Philippines and Asia-Pacific
region, claiming fame as one of the best musician-songwriters of
the PhilippinesLife and careerFreddie Aguilar studied Electrical
Engineering at De Guzman Institute of Technology but did not finish
the degree program. Instead he pursued music, became a street
musician, and then a folk club and bar musicianPolitical
activismFive years after the composition of "Anak", Freddie Aguilar
joined protests against the Marcos regime and began writing and
performing songs that criticized the excesses of the governmenSome
of the songs that caused him to be banned from mainstream media
include: "Kata-rungan" or "Justice" (speaking for the unjustly
accused), "Pangako" ("Promise") (a leader's unfulfilled pledges to
an abandoned people), and "Luzvi-minda" (an acronym for Luzon,
Visayas, Mindanao, calling on Filipinos to wake up to the reality
of oppression). One of the songs he was most remembered for during
that time was his interpretation of "Bayan Ko" ("My Country"), in
which he added a verse to the original pieceBayan Ko" (My
Country)In 1978, Aguilar first recorded "Bayan Ko" in a patriotic
effort to, in his words, jolt back those who were starting to
forget who we really are.The song was originally composed in 1928
by Constancio de Guzman, with lyrics by poet Jose Corazon de Jesus,
during a time of struggle for Philippine independence from US
occupationInternational acclaimFreddie Aguilar's "Anak" not only
broke the Philippine record charts in 1979, but it also hit the no.
1 spot in Japan and achieved considerable popularity in other
countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and parts of
Western Europe.Popular songsIn chronological order [date or year of
release]: "Anak" "Alaala" "Pulubi" "Bulag, Pipi At Bingi" "Ang
Buhay Nga Naman Ng Tao" "Pinoy" "Bayan Ko" "Magdalena" "Mindanao"
"Katarungan" "Luzviminda" "Pangako" "'Di Ka Nag-iisa" "Mga Bata Sa
Negros" "Estudyante Blues" "Ipaglalaban Ko" "Kumusta Ka" "Pasko Ang
Damdamin"APO Hiking SocietyThe Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society,
later popularly known as APO Hiking Society, or simply Apo, was a
Filipino musical group,often referred to as "The Beatles of the
Philippines." The group had its fledgling beginnings in 1969 at the
Ateneo de Manila high school, with thirteen membersLito de Joya,
Sonny Santiago, Gus Cosio, Renato Garcia, Chito Kintanar, Kenny
Barton, Bruce Brown, Butch Dans, Kinjo Sawada, Ric Segreto, Goff
Macaraeg, Doden Besa, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garovillo. The group's
name was created from the acronym AMHS representing their school
with a witty twist having an irreverent reference to the paralyzed
Philippine revolutionary intellectual and hero, Apolinario Mabini,
and later shortened to "Apo", an Ilocano term for a wise man or a
Tagalog term of grandchildren, and later re-branded to "APO" (all
caps). Contrary to popular belief, the "Apo" name was not a
reference to the Philippines's highest peak, the potentially-active
stratovolcano Mount Apo.As the students advanced into college,
Danny Javier joined the group. After graduation, the majority of
its members left to pursue individual careers, with only three
members remaining,made up of Jim Paredes, Boboy Garovillo and Danny
JavierIn the span of their professional career, Apo emerged as a
principal adherent of the musical movement termed Original Pilipino
Music (a.k.a. OPM), a milieu in which their original musical
contributions and cultural influence became essentialThe Apo became
involved in record production, talent management and organizing
artists under the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (O.P.M.,
acronym translation: "Organization of Philippine
Singers/musicians"). The group expanded its activities into
establishing and furthering the careers of new OPM artists in the
Philippines.To date, the group has released 27 albums in four
decades of its career.Two hugely successful tribute albums were
produced in 2006 and 2007 by its management group, featuring
numerous young bands freshly reinterpreting Apo's expansive
repertoire.The group frequently utilized their brand name, "Apo,"
as a clever component for Tagalog puns in titles for television
shows, live programs and marketing materials (for example, as in nA
PO, which transliterates as "already" (polite/formal usage), and
also as ap (meaning, "grandchild"). The puns have been minimally
extended into English, as in (APOcalyptic).Songs "American Junk"
(covered by Kamikazee feat. Parokya Ni Edgar) "Anna" (covered by
Top Suzara) "Awit ng Barkada" (covered by Itchyworms) "Bakit ang
Babae" (covered by Sandwich) "Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo"
(original by Yano) "Batang-Bata Ka Pa" (covered by Sugarfree)
"Bawat Bata" (covered by The Dawn, also used by Sugarfree as a
jingle ad for AlactaGrow) "Blue Jeans" (covered by Wise Guys, then
Eraserheads, and then by Rocksteddy) "Di na Natuto" (original by
Gary Valenciano, originally composed by Danny Javier & covered
by APO, then Sound, and then by Noel Cabangon) "Doo Bi Doo"
(covered by Kamikazee, now covered by Ogie Alcasid was used in a
soundtrack I Doo Bidoo Bidoo) "Ewan" (covered by Imago) "Hanggang
May Pag-Ibig" (covered by Chilitees)Jose Mari ChanJose Mari Chan
(born March 11, 1945) is a Chinese Filipino singer, songwriter and
businessman in the sugar industry. He was born in Iloilo City on
March 11, 1945. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1967 He is
married to Mary Ann Ansaldo[2] and has five children. He is
currently the chairman and CEO of BISCOM, Inc. and A. Chan Sugar
Corporation. He is also the chairman and president of Signature
Music Inc.Musical careerHe first appeared on the local scene as the
host and singer of a television show called "9 Teeners" of ABS-CBN
in 1966. His first single Afterglow was released in 1967 His first
long playing album Deep in My Heart was issued in 1969. In 1973, he
represented the Philippines in the World Popular Song Festival in
Tokyo where his song Can We Just Stop and Talk A While went into
the final entries.In 1975, he moved to the United States for his
sugar business and remained there for 11 years. In 1986, he went
back to the music industry with the release of his album A Golden
Change.In 1989, he released his album Constant Change.It was named
Album of the Year by the Awit Awards, the local equivalent of the
American Grammy Awards and reached the Diamond Record in terms of
sales. It also sold in other Asian countries such as Malaysia,
Singapore and Indonesia.In 1990 his Christmas album, Christmas in
Our Hearts was released t reached triple platinum status that same
year, eventually earning the Double Diamond Record Award. His 2001
album A Heart's Journey won Album of the year in the Awit Awards.In
2005, he composed We're All Just One as the theme song of the 2005
Southeast Asian GamesIn 2011, he released his 13th full length
album, The Manhattan Connection: The Songs of Jose Mari Chan. The
album, which was produced by Janis Siegel of The Manhattan
Transfer. The songs were reimagined by music producer Yaron
Gershovsky.In 2012, he released his 2nd Christmas album and his
14th over-all album Going Home To Christmas, his 2nd Christmas
album after 22 years since Christmas In Our Hearts was released in
1990, his 1st Christmas album became one of the best selling albums
in the Philippines until today.Singles Beautiful Girl - the
official music video shows Chan in a dinner jacket with some ladies
appearing on-screen. Can We Just Stop and Talk A while Christmas In
Our Hearts - Chan's most popular holiday song. Featuring his
daughter, Liza Chan. A Perfect Christmas - one of his other popular
holiday songs Please Be Careful with My Heart - featuring Regine
Velasquez Can't We Start Over Again Constant Change Is She Thinking
About Me? If We Only Had More Time Together Easier Said Than Done
Love At Thirty Thousand Feet - commercial jingle for Philippine
Airlines. Still used as an instrumental by the airway company. My
Girl, My Woman, My Friend - featuring Janet Basco Perhaps Love -
featuring Liza Chan So I'll Go Here and Now We're All Just One -
official anthem of the 2005 SEA Games Afraid for Love to FadeYoyoy
VillameRoman Tesorio Villame (November 18, 1932 May 18, 2007),
better known as Yoyoy Villame, was a Filipino singer, composer,
lyricist and comedian. Villame was a native of Calape, Bohol and
was the father of singer Hannah Villame. He died of cardiac arrest
at the Las Pias Medical Center in Manila on May 18, 2007.Early
lifeVillame was the youngest among ten children of a fisherman
father and fishseller mother. He started composing songs for the
Boy Scouts in his elementary days. Dropping out after his second
year in high school, Villame enlisted to become a soldier-trainee
of the Philippine Army. Being unhappy in his post in Pampanga, he
asked for a discharge after the surrender of rebel leader Luis
Taruc. Villame would become a passenger jeepney driver plying the
Baclaran-Pasay Taft-Santa Cruz-Dimasalang route. During the ten
years of driving jeeps, he would compete in amateur nights held at
Plaza Miranda in Quiapo but only to lose because of his strong
Visayan accent
In 1965, Villame went back to Bohol to become a bus driver of
the MB (Meneses-Butalid) Liner fleet, where he had a bus numbered
13 that plied the Tagbilaran-Ubay-Talibon route. At the bus
company, Villame formed with some fellow drivers the MBs Combo, a
rondalla band where he sang and played the mandolin. Villame was
soon invited to parties and eventually as an entertainer at
fiestas, baptisms, weddings, funerals and special events.The owner
of the bus company took notice of Villames efforts and set up a
music studio named Kinampay Records, after a local dish, just for
him. Villame's first recording was in 1972 and entitled "Magellan",
a parody of historicism of Ferdinand Magellan's failed conquest of
the Philippines. This became the top-selling record in the
Visayas-Mindanao region. Comedian Chiquito recognized his potential
and brought Villame to Manila to be signed to Vicor Records, which
re-issued most of the Kinampay catalogue. Touring Pampanga, Nueva
Ecija and other parts of Luzon helped Villame establish his name in
the country.Villame was the first to brand his music as "novelty"
to distinguish himself from his contemporaries, who tried hard to
sound like Perry Como or Frank Sinatra. It was the beginning of a
long list of albums and recordings of his politically inspired
songs in Cebuano, Tagalog and EnglishNotable worksVillame blended
Filipino folk melodies, popular tunes and nursery rhymes for his
music and then added witty lyrics that mixed Tagalog, Cebuano and
English in a form of grammar that he concocted. He became a
national figure in 1977 with his near anthemic "Mag-exercise Tayo",
which has been adopted by government agencies and public schools as
the official music for their Monday morning exercise after the flag
ceremony.His most popular song was "Butse Kik", a song written from
made-up Chinese-sounding words which Villame allegedly came up with
by writing down the names of Chinese stores while waiting for a
mechanic to fix his broken-down jeepney in Manila's Chinatown; it
borrowed from the tune of Dee Dee Sharp's "Baby Cakes", a 1962 hit.
The song would then be covered by a host of artists, Aiza Seguerra
and The Company to name a few. The Chinese community in Cebu felt
slighted by the song but dropped plans to bring Villame to court
because not a single Chinese word was included in the song.The
song, moreover was actually released by Yoyoy Villame earlier in
his career originally under the title Vietcong Palagdas with the
Embees and the MB Rondalla Band through Kinampay records.Villame
wrote "Philippine Geography", which lists 77 major islands,
provinces, cities, municipalities, and towns in the Philippines
from north to south. He also established a love team with "Barok
Labs Dabiana" and celebrated his fisherman father with "Piyesta ng
Mga Isda". Hilarity was the common theme, as seen from his songs
about cavemen ("Tarzan at Barok") or geography ("My Country, My
Philippines"). His song "Take It, Take It (Pasko ng Fiasco)" took
potshots at the Manila Film Festival scam in the 1990s.He made more
than 25 albums and won several sales awards, among them a double
platinum for his album Tirana My Dear and a platinum for McArthur
and Dagohoy in 1991. He also won Best Novelty Award for "Piyesta ng
mga Isda" at the 1993 Awit Awards. His long list of hits and his
entertaining style of music earned him the title of 'King of
Philippine Novelty Songs'.Villame began making movies in the early
1970s with the help of Chiquito. His first on-screen appearance was
in Isla Limasawa, where "Magellan" was used as theme song. In 2004,
He played a Visayan troubadour in the critically acclaimed movie,
Babae sa Breakwater ("Woman of the Breakwater"). In doing over 50
movies, Villame is most noted for his role in the 1974 suspense
thriller Biktima. His song "My Country, My Philippines" was played
in the opening scene of the movie Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo
Oliveros, while his songs also landed in the soundtrack for the
movie Pepot ArtistaHe moved to Las Pias City, where he became a
city councilor for ten years. He then ran for vice-mayor in 1995
but lost.
Julio NakpilBorn: 22 May 1867Birthplace:Quiapo, ManilaDied:2
November 1960Race:AsianField:Composer
Julio Nakpil was born as one of twelve children from a well-off
family in the Quiapo district ofManila. His parents withdrew him
fromEscuela de Instruccion Primariaafter two years and hadhim take
over the family stable, making sure that their coachmen and stable
boys were doingtheir work smoothly.Julio educated himself at home
and eventually learned how to play thepiano, as was proper for
traditional families during that time. His passion for music was
largelyself-taught. Although he took violin lessons from Ramon
Valdes and piano lessons from ManuelMata, he spent more time
practicing alone with these instruments, giving him the ability
tointerpret the music of classic legends likeJohann Strauss, Emile
Waldteufel, Philipp Fahrbach,andJosef Kaulich, among others.
In his desire to continue learning, he read Spanish books,
novels, history books, the writings ofJose Rizal, and music
discourse. His skill in playing the piano earned him an audience
among theaffluent, becoming a regular pianist Malacaang social
functions. On April 27, 1888 hecomposed his first short polka piece
for the piano called "Cefiro," which was followed with otherpieces
such as "Ilang-Ilang," "Recuerdos de Capiz," "Pahimakas," "Pasig
Pantayanin," and"Biyak-na-Bato," to name a few. Nakpil later became
a piano teacher and composed regularly.Many of his compositions
during this time were directly inspired by the Revolution.
Hiscomposition "Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan" was a candidate
to become the PhilippineNational Anthem, and was personally
preferred by Bonifacio, but was ultimately rejected byGeneral
Emilio Aguinaldo in favor ofJulian Felipe's "Lupang Hinirang". He
later revised hispiece and entitled it "Salve Patria". After
Aguinaldo allegedly ordered Bonifacio's execution,Nakpil claimed to
have received threats on his own life, as did General Antonio Luna,
whoended up being betrayed and executed by Aguinaldo's men.
Among his expository works were "Luz Poetica de la Aurora,"
"Recuerdos de Capiz" and"Exposicion Regional Filipina," all of
which were given a diploma of honor from the ExposicionRegional
Filipina in 1895. He was also awarded a diploma and bronze medal
from theExposition of Hanoi in 1902, a diploma and silver medal
from the St. Louis InternationalExposition in the U.S. in 1904, and
a medal and citation from the Civic Assembly of Women in1954.
In 1963 he was given a posthumous award by the Bonifacio
Centennial Commission inrecognition of his patriotism. In 1964, a
memoir entitled Julio Nakpil and the Philippine Revolution was
published by his heirs.
Julin Felipe
(January 28, 1861 October 2, 1944), was the composer of the
music of the Filipino national anthem, formerly known as "Marcha
Nacional Magdalo", now known as Lupang Hinirang. He was born in
Cavite City, Cavite. A dedicated music teacher and composer, he was
appointed by then-President Emilio Aguinaldo as Director of the
National Band of the First Philippine Republic. He died in Manila.
In recognition of his remarkable contributions in the field of
music, he was given awards and accolades.
When the revolution broke out, Julian joined his fellow
Cavitenos who fought against the Spaniards. He was arrested and
jailed at Fort San Felipe in Cavite.When freed, he again joined
Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's troop. He composed nationalistic songs that
inspired his compatriots to continue fighting against the
Spaniards. A bust of Felipe can be found in Cavite City, located
near San Sebastian College Recoletos de Cavite.
Gen. Aguinaldo asked him to provide a stirring composition to be
played in the historic proclamation of Philippine independence. His
composition 'Marcha Nacional Filipina', played on June 12, 1898 in
Aguinaldo's home in Kawit, was adopted as the Philippine national
anthem on September 5, 1938.
Julian and his wife Irene Tapia had four daughters and a son.
Julian died on October 2, 1944, at age of 83.