Lucio D. San Pedro
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Lucio Diestro San Pedro, Sr. (February 11, 1913 – March 31, 2002) was a Filipino composer and teacher who was proclaimed a
National Artist of the Philippines The Order of National Artists of the Philippines (Filipino language, Filipino: ''Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ng Pilipinas'') is an Order (distinction), order bestowed by the Philippines on Filipino people, Filipinos who have made s ...
for Music in 1991. Today, he is remembered for his contribution to the development of Filipino regional band music and for his well-known compositions such as the Filipino lullaby, " Sa Ugoy ng Duyan" and the symphonic poem, "Lahing Kayumanggi".


Career

San Pedro came from a family with musical roots and he began his career early. When he was still in his late teens, he succeeded his deceased grandfather as the local church organist. By then, he had already composed
song A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...
s,
hymn A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hy ...
s and two complete masses for voices and
orchestra An orchestra (; ) is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music, which combines instruments from different families. There are typically four main sections of instruments: * bowed string instruments, such as the violin, viola, c ...
. After studying with several prominent musicians in the Philippines, he took advanced composition training with Bernard Wagenaar of the
Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
. He also studied harmony and orchestration under
Vittorio Giannini Vittorio Giannini (October 19, 1903 – November 28, 1966) was an American neoromantic composer of operas, songs, symphonies, and band works. Life and work Giannini was born in Philadelphia on October 19, 1903. He began as a violinist under the t ...
and took classes at
Juilliard The Juilliard School ( ) is a private performing arts conservatory in New York City. Established in 1905, the school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music. It is widely regarded as one of the most elit ...
in 1947. His other vocation was
teaching Teaching is the practice implemented by a ''teacher'' aimed at transmitting skills (knowledge, know-how, and interpersonal skills) to a learner, a student, or any other audience in the context of an educational institution. Teaching is closely ...
. He has taught at the
Ateneo de Manila University , mottoeng = Light in the Lord , type = Private, research, non-profit, coeducational basic and higher education institution , established = December 10, 1859 , religious_affiliation = Roman Catholic ( Jesuits) , academic ...
, virtually all the major music conservatories in
Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...
, and at the College of Music of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, where he retired as a full professor in 1978. He later received the title ''
professor emeritus ''Emeritus'' (; female: ''emerita'') is an adjective used to designate a retired chair, professor, pastor, bishop, pope, director, president, prime minister, rabbi, emperor, or other person who has been "permitted to retain as an honorary title ...
'' from the university in 1979. He also became a faculty member of the Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music in
Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...
. San Pedro was known for composing the official march of
Makati Makati ( ), officially the City of Makati ( fil, Lungsod ng Makati), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. Makati is the financial center of the Philippines; it has the highest concentration ...
.


National Artist

On May 9, 1991,
President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university * President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...
Corazon C. Aquino proclaimed San Pedro a
National Artist of the Philippines The Order of National Artists of the Philippines (Filipino language, Filipino: ''Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ng Pilipinas'') is an Order (distinction), order bestowed by the Philippines on Filipino people, Filipinos who have made s ...
for Music.


Personal life

He married Gertrudes San Pedro with whom he had five children: Rhodora, Bienvenido, María Conchita, María Cristina and Lucio, Jr.


Death

San Pedro died of
cardiac arrest Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. It is a medical emergency that, without immediate medical intervention, will result in sudden cardiac death within minutes. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and poss ...
on March 31, 2002 in Angono, Rizal, at the age of 89. Many peers from the Order of National Artists attended his tribute at the '' Tanghalang Pambansa'', including:
Napoleon Abueva Napoleon "Billy" Veloso Abueva (January 26, 1930 – February 16, 2018) was known as the "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture" Through Proclamation No. 1539. He was proclaimed National Artist for Sculpture in 1976 when he was 46, making him th ...
, Daisy Avellana, Leonor Goquingco, Nick Joaquín, Arturo Luz,
José Maceda José Montserrat Maceda (31 January 1917 – 5 May 2004) was a Filipino ethnomusicologist and composer. He was named a National Artist of the Philippines for Music in 1998. Life Born in Manila, Philippines, he studied piano, composition ...
, and Andrea Veneración. He is buried in his hometown of Angono, Rizal.


Works

San Pedro's works include a great variety of musical forms ranging from band music, concertos for violin and orchestra, choral works, cantatas, chamber music, and songs for solo voice. He also served as a conductor of many Filipino bands such as Peng Kong Grand Mason Concert Band, the San Pedro Band of Angono, and the Banda Angono Numero Uno. Major Works * The Devil's Bridge * Malakas at Maganda Overture * Lulay * Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (with the collaboration of
Levi Celerio Levi Celerio (April 30, 1910 – April 2, 2002) was a Filipino composer and lyricist who is credited with writing over 4,000 songs. Celerio was recognized as a National Artist of the Philippines for Music and Literature in 1997. He is also known ...
) * Dance of the Fairies * Lahing Kayumanggi Compositional Philosophy San Pedro is known for advocating "creative nationalism" when composing his own music. According to him, representing Filipino identity doesn't just fall from literally using the material from folk songs but rather getting the most important essence,style and common touch of being a Filipino. A good example of his "creative nationalism" was his "Lahing Kayumanggi" where he dedicated this piece to "the heroic struggle of the Filipino people for liberation from colonization."


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:San Pedro, Lucio D. 1913 births 2002 deaths Ateneo de Manila University faculty Filipino classical composers Filipino songwriters Musicians from Rizal National Artists of the Philippines University of the Philippines alumni University of the Philippines faculty