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12 Facts About Francisco Santiago

1.

Francisco Santiago Santiago was a Filipino musician, sometimes called The Father of Kundiman Art Song.

2.

Francisco Santiago studied at the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music, in its original campus in Manila, obtaining a degree in Piano in 1921, and a degree in Science and Composition in 1922.

3.

Francisco Santiago went to the United States to pursue further education.

4.

Francisco Santiago first obtained his master's degree at the American Conservatory of Music in June 1923, and finally a Doctorate degree at the Chicago Musical School in August 1924.

5.

Francisco Santiago is the first Filipino musician to attain a doctorate degree.

6.

Francisco Santiago became the director of the UP Conservatory of Music in 1930, after the entire music faculty and students of the conservatory protested for the removal of the previous director, Alexander Lippay, for alleged harassment of students and musicians.

7.

However, the investigation found out that both Estella and Francisco Santiago's melodies were influenced by the folk song "Leron, Leron Sinta" and that Estella's Campanadas de Gloria contained several quotations from other composers, therefore breaking Estella's claim.

8.

In 1942, Francisco Santiago became music director of the newly established New Philiippines Symphony Orchestra - created to replace the Manila Symphony Orchestra who refused to play under the Japanese rule.

9.

The family eventually escaped the shelling, but most of Francisco Santiago's compositions were destroyed.

10.

Francisco Santiago died one year later on September 28,1947, and was buried in Manila North Cemetery.

11.

Today, Francisco Santiago is one of the most celebrated Filipino composers today.

12.

Francisco Santiago, influenced by the American Jazz Age, made his "Filipino fox-trots" such as Balintawak.