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WORD HUNT
Directions: Find the 10 words related to 20th century Filipino song
composers/lyricists. The words run horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.
Write your answer on your paper or you can click the link below.
[Link]
4RQNYk804g5Y9pPkp68gN-oLu_y-gQ/viewform?usp=sf_link or
[Link]

L A T C E L E R I O C C

A G L E N D A G A O R V

Z J U M A L I O N E E E

E I I R E G G C E K S L

R T Y R U I T E Y I T A

A V E S O L I S A M I R

U A P A L A H N J K E D

S P N H S I S A H E B E

C O N S T A N C I O Y K

Lesson

3 Song Composers
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LEVI CELERIO (1910 – 2002)
National Artist for Literature and Music

Prolific lyricist and composer Levi Celerio was named National Artist for
Music and Literature in 1997. Also a violinist, he had written the lyrics for over
4,000 songs in his lifetime, including many for film. A great number of
kundimans and Filipino love songs have lyrics written by him, most notable of
which are Dahilsa Iyo, Buhat, and Ang Pasko ay Sumapit.
Celerio was known for creating music with a mouth-blown leaf
Celerio was born in Tondo on April 30, 1910. He
studied at the Academy of Music in Manila under a
scholarship. Later, he went on to join the Manila
Symphony Orchestra. Aside from writing his own
lyrics, he also translated and re-wrote the lyrics of
folksongs to traditional melodies like Maliwanag Na
Buwan from Ilocos, Ako ay May Singsing from
Pampanga, and Alibangbang from the Visayas.
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. He will
forever be remembered through his lyrics for songs such as Ang Pipit (music by
Lucio D. San Pedro); Bagong Pagsilang (music by Felipe Padilla de Leon); Sa Ugoy
ng Duyan (music by Lucio D. San Pedro); Misa de Gallo (music by J. Balita); Itik-
itik (folk song); Tinikling (folk song), among others. Celerio passed away on April
2, 2002.

CONSTANCIO DE GUZMAN
(1903 – 1982)
Constancio Canseco de Guzman was born on November 11,
1903 in Guiguinto, Bulacan. He grew up in Manila where he
studied piano and composition under Nicanor Abelardo. At the
prodding of his father, he went to law school but switched to
pursue and finish a BS Commerce degree at Jose Rizal College
in 1928. He passed the certified public accountants (CPA)
board examinations in 1932. After he took the CPA board
exam, he started working for the movies.

Acknowledged as the “Dean of Filipino Movie Composers and Musical

Directors,” De Guzman became the music director of movie production
companies like Sampaguita, LVN, Royal, Excelsior, Lea, and Tagalog Ilang-Ilang
Productions. His “unexpected” hit music, Panaginip, paved the way for him to
record hundreds of songs, principally under Villar and Columbia Records.
In 1948, his song Ang Bayan Ko and Kung Kita’y Kapiling won the gold medal at
the Paris International Fair. Bayan Ko was later adopted as the symbolic song
of the People Power Movement of 1986. The same song won for him the Awit
Award for Best Filipino Lyricist. Some of De Guzman’s notable compositions
include Babalik K aRin, Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig, Birheng Walang Dambana,

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Maalaala Mo Kaya, and Sa Piling Mo. De Guzman passed away on August 16,
1982.

MIGUEL “MIKE” VELARDE JR.

(1913 – 1986)

Miguel “Mike” Guison VelardeJr, composer,

conductor, movie actor, and musical director was
born in Manila on October 23, 1913 as the second
of two children of Dr. Miguel Velarde, Sr. and
Dolores Guison. His family moved to Zamboanga
when he was only one year old and where he spent
the succeeding eighteen years of his life. His
exposure to the unaffected and unpretentious
environment of Basilan and Zamboanga had
influenced his creative imagination, mainly
nurtured by his mother who became his first
music teacher in piano and violin when he was six years old.
Velarde studied at the Zamboanga Normal School, where he became a
member of the school orchestra and graduated as valedictorian. He then went to
Manila to pursue medicine at the University of the Philippines, but later realized
that it was music that he truly loved.
Velarde eventually went into writing Tagalog songs, composing the song
Ugoy-Ugoy Blues which opened opportunities for him in the movies. He had a
jazz band known as “Mike Velarde’s Jazz to crats.” He became editor of the
Literary Song Movie Magazine.
Velarde composed musical scores for Sampaguita Films’ movie
productions and managed its advertising department. Among his most important
works were Luksa ng Tagumpay, which received the FAMAS (Filipino Movie Arts
and Sciences) Award for Best Picture (1960) and for which he wrote its story and
screenplay, and Alaala Kita for Best Director (1961). He attributes substantive
influence from American composer and songwriters Irving Berlin and Cole Porter.
In subsequent years, Velarde created his own style as he composed highly
melodious and romantic songs such as Ikaw, Lahat ng Araw, Habang Buhay,
Minamahal Kita ,Ikaw ay Akin, and Dahil Sa Iyo. In 1970, he won the Best
Conductor award at the First International Popular Song Contest in Japan with
his composition As Long as Forever. He received the Cultural Achievement Award
in Popular Music from the Philippine Government Cultural Association in 1975
and the Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining in 1986. His other compositions include
Buhat, Ikaw, Bituing Marikit, Minamahal Kita, Dating Sumpaan, Dalisay,
Eternally Yours, and Gabi at Araw. Velarde passed away in 1986.

SANTIAGO SUAREZ
(1901 – 1964)

Santiago Suarez was born in Sampaloc, Manila. He learned how to play the
piano from his grandmother who was also a competent harpist, while his
grandfather played the flute. He attended the Conservatory of Music, University
of the Philippines and the Ateneo de Manila in Intramuros. He took private music
lessons from Caetano Jacobe, Pedro Floriaga, and Nicanor Abelardo.
Suarez’s compositions are a mixture of the soulful kundiman style and the lively
strains of the countryside. The melodies are tonal and catchy, while the rhythms
follow the regular meter with minimal tempo changes. His harmonies follow the
traditional classical progression, making his compositions easy to understand

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without the complexities of form and structure. Some of his works are quite
popular and heard even with today’s classical singers, pop singers, and choral
groups. They include the following: Ligaya Ko, Pandanggo ni Neneng, Dungawin
mo Hirang, Bakya Mo Neneng, Caprichosa, Sa Libis ng Nayon, Harana, Kataka-
taka, Labandera Ko, Lakambini, Kamia, Ikaw ang Buhay Ko!, Kay Lungkot nitong
Hating-Gabi, and Mutya Niyaring Puso. Suarez passed away in 1964.

RESTITUTO “RESTIE” UMALI

(1916 – 1998)
Restituto Aquino Umali was born in Paco, Manila on
June 16, 1916. His early exposure to music was due to
the influence of his father who taught him violin as well
as his exposure to the regular family rondalla. He was
also taught solfeggio and score reading at the Mapa
High School where he became an active member of the
school glee club and orchestra.
Umali played the E-flat horn, trombone, and tuba
when he was part of the UST (University of Santo
Tomas) Band. He also taught choral arranging and
orchestration at the UST Conservatory of Music. He
majored in Composition and Conducting at the
Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines
(UP) and Commerce at the Jose Rizal College. He even
passed an electrician’s course at the Philippine School
of Arts and Trades before embarking on a rewarding
career as musical scorer for movies.

During World War II, Umali took lessons in harmony

from Felipe Padilla de Leon. Shortly after the war, he performed with the Manila
Symphony Orchestra. He continued his studies in composition and conducting
even while teaching at the UP Conservatory of Music. He was under the tutelage
of noted composers such as Lucrecia Kasilag, Antonio Buenaventura, and Ramon
Tapales.
Umali arranged the Philippine national anthem and the local classic Kataka-taka
for the Boston Pops Orchestra when it performed for the Philippine Independence
Night in Boston in 1972. He composed approximately 120 movie theme songs
and more than 250 scores for movies. His musical scoring career was capped by
a Universal Pictures’ production of No Man Is An Island starred by Jeffrey Hunter
and Barbara Perez. His musical scores for the movies Sa Bawat Pintig ng Puso
(1964), Pinagbuklod ng Langit (1969), Mga Anghel na Walang Langit (1970), and
Ang Alamat (1972) won for him “Best Musical Score” honors at the Filipino
Academy of Movies Arts and Sciences (FAMAS Awards). He also garnered the
“Best Music Awards” for Bitter-Sweet at the 1969 Manila Film Festival and
AngAgila at AngAraw at the 1973 Olongapo Film Festival.
Among Umali’s most popular songs are Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Alaala ng
Lumipas, Ang Pangarap Ko’y Ikaw, Sa Libis ng Barrio, Di Ka Nag-iisa, and Paano
Kita Lilimutin. He had arranged the performance of Maestro Federico Elizalde’s
Manila Little Symphony aired on radio stations DZRH and DZPI, apart from his
stint as musical director for Sampaguita Pictures.

ANGEL PEÑA
(1921 – 2014)
Angel Matias Peña is a classical and jazz composer, arranger, and bass player.

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 He is widely considered by modern Filipino jazz
musicians as “one of the founders of traditional jazz in
the Philippines.”
He was born was born on April 22, 1921 to a musical
family. Peña learned solfeggio from his mother Rosario
Velarde Matias. His mother was a schoolteacher who
studied voice at the University of the Philippines. His
father, Gregorio Cid Peña, played the violin. His
grandfather was a respected
guitar player. He grew up in Malabon which was then
famous for its musicians and marching bands. At the
age of 11 when his mother passed away, he was discouraged by his father to
continue his musical pursuits. But, the boy persisted and proceeded to study
music theory and composition.
Peña wrote his first original jazz composition just before World War II erupted. He
also wrote kundimans for the young women he would be courting. After the war,
he became one of the most sought-after musical arrangers in Manila. He had also
switched from guitar to bass. He also wrote musical scores for film companies,
most notably LVN Pictures. As his interest in classical composition grew more
intense, he formed a big band in 1956 for the Upsilon Sigma Phi’s traditional
concert at the University of the Philippines. During that time, he composed
Bagbag tulambing, a landmark in Philippine music.
In 1959, the University of Santo Tomas launched a national symphonic
composition contest open to Filipino composers. Peña’s entry Igorot Rhapsody
won first prize the following year. Since then, he moved effortlessly between the
jazz and classical idioms. In the mid-1960s during his 3-year stint in Hongkong,
he earned a Licentiate with the Royal School of Music in London.
Peña auditioned for the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. He was immediately
accepted as bassist and later as arranger in 1969. He would spend the next 28
years in Hawaii, where he continued to write his own music. As farewell homage,
the Manila Symphony Orchestra performed his Concerto for Double Bass and
Orchestra. In 1981 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Filipino presence
in Hawaii, the Honolulu Symphony premiered his Concerto for Jazz Quartet and
Orchestra with an all-star Filipino jazz quartet.
The following year, the Cultural Center of the Philippines performed a concert of
his classical works in his honor. Despite of his absence from Manila, local jazz
groups continued to play his compositions. The seeds that he had sown began to
bear fruit. Now, a new generation of Filipino musicians are starting to discover
the composer. When he finally came back to the Philippines, he started teaching
scholars in Double Bass as an adjunct faculty member of the UP College of
Music. He started collaborating with the UP Jazz Ensemble on a number of
concerts.
In 1998, a House Resolution from the State of Hawaii’s
House of Representatives was passed to honor Peña for
his contributions in the field of music as a world
renowned jazz musician, musical arranger, and Hawaii’s
own living classical composer. The Jazz Society of the
Philippines-USA further gave him a Lifetime Achievement
Award at the Third Annual Fil-Am Jazz Festival in
Hollywood. Pena passed away on December 22, 2014.
ERNANI CUENCO
(1936 – 1988)
National Artist for Music

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Ernani Joson Cuenco, composer, film scorer, musical director and music
teacher, was conferred the National Artist Award for Music in 1999. His works
embody a Filipino sense of musicality that contain the classical sound of the
kundiman.
Cuenco was born on May 10, 1936 in Malolos, Bulacan. As a boy, he was
encouraged to learn the violin. He was mentored by his mother, his godmother
Doña Belen Aldaba Bautista, and his first teacher, Jovita Tantoco. He earned his
Bachelor’s Degree in Music, major in Piano at the UST Conservatory of Music in
1956. A UST scholarship grant in the same year
enabled him to study the cello under Professor Modesto Marquiz, which he
finished in 1965. In 1968, he completed his Master of Music degree at the Sta.
Isabel College.
From 1960 to 1968, Cuenco was a cellist at the Manila Symphony Orchestra
under Dr. Hubert Zipper. Likewise, he played for the Filipino Youth Symphony
Orchestra and the Manila Chamber Soloists from 1966 to 1970.
His career as a musical director began in 1960 when he was discovered by then
actor Joseph Estrada while he was playing as part of a band he had formed with
friends at an exclusive restaurant in Makati. In 1963, Cuenco was sent as a
delegate to the International Music Conference in Tokyo, Japan. Aside from being
a composer and musical director, he was also a faculty member at the UST
Conservatory of Music until his death on July 11, 1988.

To this day, Cuneco’s compositions are popular and well-loved, especially Gaano
Ko Ikaw Kamahal and Bato sa Buhangin which he composed for films in honor of
his wife. Aside from these signature pieces, Cuenco’s other songs include Nahan,
Kahit na Magtiis, Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa, Pilipinas, Inang
Bayan, Isang Dalangin, and Kalesa.

GEORGE CANSECO
(1934 – 2004)
George Masangkay Canseco was born on April 23, 1934 in Naic, Cavite. He
graduated with a Liberal Arts degree at the University of the East. After
graduation, he worked for the Philippines Herald and the Associated Press as a
journalist. He also worked as a “free-lance scriptwriter for hire” in Manila.
Canseco was considered as “a nationally acclaimed composer of numerous
popular classics.” He was commissioned by Former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos
to compose a national tribute hymn entitled Ako Ay Pilipino (I Am A Filipino). He
wrote the classic Kapantay Ay Langit, a theme from the award- winning motion
picture of the same title, sung by Amapola. Its
English version entitled You’re All I Love containing some
Tagalog lyrics was sung by American singer Vic Dana. The
song won the Manila Film Festival “Best Song of the Year
Award” in 1972. He followed it with an English song
entitled Songs exclusively for Songs and Amapola under
the Vicor Music Corporation Pioneer Label.
One of his best-known compositions was Child, the
English-language version of Freddie Aguilar’s signature
song Anák. He wrote songs for the country’s top popular
singers such as Sharon Cuneta, Basil Valdez, Regine
Velasquez, ZsaZsa Padilla, Pilita Corales, Martin Nievera,
and Kuh Ledesma.
Canseco credited film producer and Vicor Music Corporation owner Vic del
Rosario for giving him his biggest break in the music industry. He was elected
President of the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc.

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(FILSCAP) in 1973. He was also elected as Councilor for the First District of
Quezon City in 1988.
His legacy as a composer include approximately 120 song titles including Ikaw,
Kailangan Kita, Dito Ba, Hiram, Tubig at Langis, Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang
Hanggan, Sinasamba Kita, Kastilyo ng Buhangin, Minsan Pa
NatingHagkanangNakaraan, Ngayon at Kailanman, Saan Darating ang Umaga,
Sana Bukas Pa ang Kahapon, Dear Heart, Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan, Paano
kita Mapapasalamatan, and Kahapon Lamang. He passed away on November 19,
2004 in Manila.

LEOPOLDO SILOS Sr.

(1925 – 2015)
Leopoldo Silos Sr. was born on March 6, 1925. He
was a composer, singer, and arranger. He composed
and recorded a number of romantic songs, the most
famous of which were two of his well known hits, Dahil
Sa Isang Bulaklak (Because Of One Flower) and Hindi
Kita Malimot (I Can’t Forget You). He was also the
award-winning musical director of the long- running
television musical program, Aawitan
Kita, which starred Armida Siguion-Reyna.
Accordingly, the music of Silos touches the sentiment
quite deeply. His lyrical melodies are complemented by
exotic harmonies. His melodies were made more appealing through their
extended chords, diminished intervals, and secondary dominants. Thus, that
enriched the otherwise basic chordal patterns accompanying a tonal melody.
Although not as widely performed as other mainstream love songs and
kundimans, his music always impresses the listener with its melodic sincerity
and elegantly crafted accompaniments. The other notable compositions of Silos
include Aling Kutsero, Ay AnongSaklap, Basta’t Mahal Kita, Diyos Lamang ang
Nakakaalam, Hindi Ko Malilimutan, Lagi kitang Naaalala, Langit sa Lupa, Halina
Halina, Lihim na Pag-ibig, and Mundo Ma’y Mawala. He died on March 10, 2015.

ACTIVITY 1: Sound Trip!

Search the following links and try to analyze their musical characteristics
by supplying the needed answer in the table.

MOOD Melody
DYNAMICS TEMPO METER
(happy, (higher
(soft, (slow, (duple,
SAMPLEMUSIC sad, notes,
moderate, moderate, triple,

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 loud) fast) quadruple) love, lower
lazy, notes)
energetic)
1. Ang Pipit by Levi
Celerio
https://
[Link]/watch?
v=kcMq8Z7uzes
2. Bayan Ko by
Constancio de
Guzman
[Link]
.com/watch?
v=lLY7j728C_s

3. Hanggang sa Dulong
Walang Hanggan by
George Canseco
[Link]
.com/watch?
v=CSib3LkezBQ
4. Igorot Rhapsody by
Angel Peňa
[Link]
om/watch?
v=zmtqQN8kBZA

5. Bakya mo Neneng by
Santiago Suarez
[Link]
om/watch?
v=zmtqQN8kBZA

ACTIVITY 2: Song Medley

Individual/ Group: Sing any of the compositions of Celerio, De Guzman, Velarde,

Cuenco, Umali, Canseco, Peña, Silos, and Suarez.

For group work, do the following:

1. Your group will choose any song composers. You research further on his
compositions, if needed.
2. Select three compositions that you like best or you are familiar with or you may
learn a new song. Choose your musical director.
3. Sing the three (3) minutes medley with your groupmates virtually/via recording
interpreting the music with appropriate pitch, rhythm, style, timbre, dynamics,
melody, texture, harmony, and expression.
4. You may use instrumental accompaniment like guitar, flute, recorder, maracas,
tambourine, keyboard or any improvise musical instrument.
5. You may use from your mobile phone, laptop, personal computer or USB.

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 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%.

Note: Submit your output to option 1: group chat: option 2. Google classroom

Modified True or False. Write TRUE if the sentence is correct and if it’s incorrect
change the underlined word to make the statement true. Write all the correct
answers on your activity notebook or you can click the link below. (10 pts)
[Link]
9SQy5k5EQAoJ93KetE5lqaku2pcA/viewform?usp=sf_link or
[Link]
1. Levi Celerio’s achievement include a citation in the Guinness Book of World
Records for being the only person to make music with a mouth-blown leaf.
2. Constancio de Guzman composed musical scores for Sampaguita Films’
movie productions and managed its advertising department.
3. Miguel Velarde Jr won the gold medal at the Paris International Fair.
4. Among Umali’s most popular songs are Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Alaala ng
Lumipas, Ang Pangarap Ko’y Ikaw.
5. Cuenco wrote his first original jazz composition just before World War II
erupted.
[Link]ňa was a cellist at the Manila Symphony Orchestra under Dr. Hubert
Zipper.
7. Canseco was considered as “a nationally acclaimed composer of numerous
popular classics.”
8. Constancio de Guzman was acknowledged as the “Dean of Filipino movie
composers and musical directors.”
9. Leopoldo Silos Sr. was a composer, singer, and musical arranger.
10. Santiago Suarez was an accomplished composer of traditional Filipino love
songs.

REFERENCES

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BOOKS
Horizons Music and Arts Appreciation for Young Filipinos pages 128 - 137
WEBSITE
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
9SQy5k5EQAoJ93KetE5lqaku2pcA/viewform?usp=sf_link
[Link]
4RQNYk804g5Y9pPkp68gN-oLu_y-gQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
[Link]

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Analisa V. Caňales

Editors:
Content Evaluator: Ryan Gleserio P. Palamos
Language Evaluator: Marlie B. Maximo
Reviewers: Jericho V. Castro

Illustrator: Anne Canales, Amapola Espos

Layout Artist: Melanie D. Gatanela
Management Team: DR. MARGARITO B. MATERUM, SDS
DR. GEORGE P. TIZON, SGOD Chief
DR. ELLERY G. QUINTIA, CID Chief
SHOJI GERONA, EPS - MAPEH
DR DAISY L. MATAAC, EPS – LRMS/ALS

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For inquiries, please write or call:

Schools Division of Taguig city and Pateros Upper Bicutan, Taguig City

Telefax: 8384251

Email Address: [Link]@[Link]

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