Antonio J.

Molina
National Artist for Music (1973)
(December 26, 1894 January 29, 1980)

Was a versatile musician, composer, conductor, and pedagogue. He was the last
of the musical triumvirate, two of whom were Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco
Santiago, who elevated music beyond the realm of folk music.

Molina was born into a musical family on 26 December 1894, Quiapo, Manila.
His father Juan Molina was an influential government official who also founded
the Molina Orchestra. His first formal music lessons was violin and solfeggio
under Celestino de Vera, then a member of his father's orchestra.

At an early age, he took to playing the violoncello and on 1919, enrolled at the
UP Conservatory of Music for a teachers diploma in Cello. He played it so well it
did not take long before he was playing as orchestra soloist for the Manila Grand
Opera House.

Molina is credited for introducing such innovations as the whole tone scale,
pentatonic scale, exuberance of dominant ninths and eleventh cords, and linear
counterpoints. It is said that he was known as the Claude Debussy of the
Philippines due to his use of impressionism in music. He was also the first
Filipino composer who was invited to perform his works to Malacaang.

As a member of the faculty of the UP Conservatory, he had taught many of the

countrys leading musical personalities and educators like Lucresia Kasilag and
Felipe de Leon. He also became the dean of the Centro Escolar Conservatory of
Music and founded the first chamber music group, the CEU String Quartet which
was professionally organized and financed by its music school.

His first composition was "Matinal" in 1912 and it is preserved in an unpublished volume
"Miniaturas", Volume I. As a composer Molina was credited with over 500 compositions,
including:

Hatinggabi, among earliest violin selections

Malikmata, We were moonlight, piano

Ana Maria, zarzuela

Misa Antoniana Grand Festival Mass

Amihan, Awit ni Maria Clara

Sources
National Artist - Antonio J. Molina. (2015, June 03). Retrieved March 10, 2016, from
http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-thephilippines/antonio-j-molina/
Quodala, S. (2011, December 25). Antonio J. Molina: 'Dean of Filipino Composers' Retrieved
March 14, 2016, from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/117149/antonio-j-molina-dean-of-filipinocomposers Inquirer Research
Antonio J. Molina. (2008, May 29). Retrieved March 10, 2016. GNU Free Documentation
License

AVELINA MAGBOO MANALO

(Nov. 10, 1927-Dec. 25, 200 )

A pianist, singer, composer and a devoted pedagogue.

Avelina was born to Placido Delgado Manalo, a lawyer, and Josepha Magboo, a teacher
and an opera singer, whose talent was specially recognized in her hometown, Bauan,
Batangas where she would sing on special occasions.
Began formal lessons in piano and solfegio at an early age and developed perfect pitch
early.
Became a pupil of the late maestra Jovita Fuentes in singing, despite her fragile health.
From 1952-1955, Avelina would accompany on the piano Jovita Fuentes students from
different schools.
At age 21 in 1948 Avelina graduated as a piano major at the UP College of Music and
the following year, would obtain a Bachelor of Music degree at the UST Conservatory of
Music. From 1953-1955 she took up and finished her Masters in Piano at the USTs
Graduate School.
For a decade since 1950 she had been a member of the faculty of both the St. Josephs
College, School of Performing Arts and the music department of St. Theresas College.
Was given a grant to do a specialization course in piano in Italy. She tackled
performance and pedagogy classes, going around Europe. Giving concerts as well. In
Salzburg she received eight curtain calls after a performance.
Yet instead of pursuing a career as a concert pianist, she accepted the wish of her
parents; for her to return to the Philippines and continue nurturing the talents of her
homeland. She was an avid collector of miniature pianos.
She served as Professor at the UP College of Music for three decades, as well as the
Philippine Highschool for the Arts. She performed in the 1992 piano faculty concert,

Twenty Fingers Plus with Professors, Agot Espino, Nita Quinto, Imelda Ongsiako, Pia
Dino and Mark Carpio.
Her works for piano are:
Rupikal ng Capiz (Capiz Chimes)
Katlala (Nostalgia)
Sources
PROF. AVELINA M. MANALO Tribute. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1txlWD4aEE