Contemporary Philippine Songwriters

Question 1

He is considered as the “Father of Kundiman”

Answer 1

Francisco Santiago

Question 2

Among the films under his musical
supervision were “Kundiman”, “Leron Leron Sinta”, “Madaling Araw”, “Manileña”,
and the movie inspired by his own composition, “Pakiusap”.

Answer 2

Francisco Santiago

Question 3

Among his famous works are the following:
 Pakiusap
 Madaling Araw
 Sakali Man
 Pilipinas Kong Mahal
 Hibik ng Pilipinas
Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran, and
Kundiman (Anak Dalita). This piece was sung before the
Royal Court of Spain upon the request of King Alfonso II.

Answer 3

Francisco Santiago

Question 4

He became the first
Filipino Director of the UP Conservatory of Music

Answer 4

Francisco Santiago

Question 5

He finished his music specialization at the American
Conservatory of Music in Chicago where he obtained his
Doctorate Degree in 1924.

Answer 5

Francisco Santiago

Question 6

He studied music at the Chicago Music College and was
influenced by the musical styles of the Serialist/Second
Viennese School and Post-Romantic European composers.

Answer 6

Nicanor Abelardo

Question 7

He contributed in elevating the Kundiman as an Art Song form.

Answer 7

Nicanor Abelardo

Question 8

His best-known compositions include the following:
Mutya ng Pasig Nasaan Ka Irog
Bituing Marikit Ikaw Rin
Kundiman ng Luha Pahimakas
Kung Hindi Man Pahiwatig
Cavatina for Violin and Piano,
First Nocturne for Piano,
and Magbalik Ka Hirang

Answer 8

Nicanor Abelardo

Question 9

He is the first National Artist for Music

Answer 9

Antonio Molina

Question 10

He began his music career as an orchestral soloist at the
Manila Grand OPERA House.

Answer 10

Antonio Molina

Question 11

He served as Dean of the CENTRO Escolar University,
Conservatory of Music from 1948 to 1970.

Answer 11

Antonio Molina

Question 12

He was also a faculty member of the University of the
Philippines’ Conservatory (now College) of Music.

Answer 12

Antonio Molina

Question 13

He was a product of both the Romantic and
Impressionist schools of thought.

Answer 13

Antonio Molina

Question 14

He was fascinated by the dynamics and harmonies of
Debussy but retained much of the Romantic style in his
melody.

Answer 14

Antonio Molina

Question 15

He came to be known as the “Father of Philippine Impressionist
Music”.

Answer 15

Antonio Molina

Question 16

He was born on February 11, 1913, in Angono,
Rizal.

Answer 16

Lucio San Pedro

Question 17

Since his elementary days, he started composing.
 He studied the banjo which inspired him to become
a serious musician. He later pursued his music degree at
the University of the Philippines and at the Juilliard
School in New York, USA.

Answer 17

Lucio San Pedro

Question 18

He became a PROFESSOR open of theory and composition
at the University of the Philippines’ College of Music up
until his retirement in 1978.

Answer 18

Lucio San Pedro

Question 19

He is known as a “romantic nationalist.”

Answer 19

Lucio San Pedro

Question 20

Arguably, his most popular work is the well-loved
“Sa Ugoy ng Duyan”, a lullaby melody sung by his
mother. He composed “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan” together with his friend Levi
Celerio as the lyricist.

Answer 20

Lucio San Pedro

Question 21

His musical prowess was internationally recognized when he was invited
to be a judge at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano
Competition in 1980.

Answer 21

Lucio San Pedro

Question 22

He was declared National Artist for Music in 1991 and passed away on
March 31, 2002.

Answer 22

Lucio San Pedro

Question 23

He is also known as Mr. C, and is a popular
contemporary composer who also has classical
compositions to his credit, such as “Misa” and “Misa
2000”, “Four Poems for Soprano and Piano”, and “Te
Deum”.

Answer 23

Ryan Cayabyab

Question 23

His compositional style makes much use of a
variety of influences – from Moroccan musical cultures,
Jazz, African-American Spirituals and Gospel music,
European Neo-Classicism, Music for Films, American
Broadway musicales, to Philippine indigenous chants.

Answer 23

Ryan Cayabyab

Question 24

Among his numerous compositions are the award-winning “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” (1978), Paraiso (1991), as well as the modern zarzuela “Alikabok”
(2003), and the musical “Lorenzo” – based on the life of
St. Lorenzo Ruiz (2013). The opera Spoliarium with libretto by Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, and a variety of choral pieces and song cycles were also among his masterpieces.

Answer 24

Ryan Cayabyab

Question 25

He was born on May 4, 1954, in Manila. He obtained his Bachelor of Music
degree at the University of the Philippines, College of Music in 1983. After
which, he became a faculty member for Composition at the same University.

Answer 25

Ryan Cayabyab

Question 26

He also served as the Executive and Artistic Director of the San Miguel
Foundation for the Performing Arts, which oversaw the operations and
programming of the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and the San Miguel
Master Chorale.

Answer 26

Ryan Cayabyab

Question 27

He was named National Artist for Music in 2018.

Answer 27

Ryan Cayabyab

Question 28

He spans both popular and classical worlds with his popular
ballads, musical plays, operas, ballet, zarzuela, orchestral, and choral compositions

Answer 28

Ryan Cayabyab