The Anthem Philatelist

Francisco S. Santiago was a renowned pianist, composer and teacher. He earned his masters degree and doctorate in music from the Conservatory of Chicago in 1924. He became the Director of the University of the Philippines College of Music from 1930-1946. He was born in Santa Maria, Bulacan in January 29, 1889. Poverty didn’t stop him from pursuing his studies in piano, supporting him through school. In 1916, he became a piano instructor when the UP Conservatory of Music was established during the same year. The following year, his composition Kundiman, Anak Dalita , the first art song kundiman , was sung Royal Court of Spain upon the request of King Alfonso II. His masterpiece “ Concerto in B flat minor ” for pianoforte and orchestra was presented at the Chicago Music School, where he received his doctorate degree in 1924. Upon returning to the Philippines, he became director of the UP Conservatory of Music from 1930 to 1946. He also directed the music for such films as Manileña...

Antonio J. Molina was called the "Dean of Filipino Composers". He was a prominent violoncellist, conductor and teacher. He wrote 500 compositions in his lifetime.   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. At an early age, he took to playing the violoncello and 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. As a member of the faculty of the UP Conservatory, he had taught many of the country's leading musical personalities and educators like Lucresia Kasilag and Felipe de Leon .   Born into a musically inclined family, he raised his own family as music lovers as well, as three of his children pursued careers in music, ...