27 Facts About Levi Celerio

Levi Celerio was a Filipino composer and lyricist who is credited with writing over 4,000 songs.

Levi Celerio is known for using the leaf as a musical instrument which led to being recognized as the "only man who could play music using a leaf" by the Guinness Book of Records.

Levi Celerio was born on April 30,1910 in Tondo, Philippines to Cornelio Cruz and Juliana Celerio and was born to a poor family.

Levi Celerio's affinity for music was a result of influence from his mother who is a harpist and a member of a church choir.

Levi Celerio was estranged from his father who was involved in real estate and jewelry business.

Levi Celerio's mother encouraged him to be involved in music as a distraction from the squalid conditions of their neighborhood.

At his mother's encouragement, Levi Celerio started playing the violin at age 11 taking lessons from a member of the Philippine Constabulary Band.

Levi Celerio later performed with the band as its member while simultaneously attending Torres High School.

Levi Celerio attended the Academy of Music Manila Conservatory of Music to study violin for two semesters.

Levi Celerio received a scholarship and became the youngest member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

Levi Celerio was a member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra but his stint with the musical troupe ended when he fell off a tree and broke his wrist.

Levi Celerio temporarily worked as a comic illustrator and later decided to shift to songwriting.

Levi Celerio held high regard to the poet, Jose Corazon de Jesus.

Levi Celerio is credited for writing more than 4,000 songs, many of which are dedicated to his wife and children.

Levi Celerio wrote Filipino folk, Christmas, and love songs and some of his songs were used in feature films.

Levi Celerio wrote the lyrics of the Filipino lullaby "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan".

Levi Celerio wrote the Christmas carols "Pasko Na Naman" and "Noche Buena" with composer Felipe Padilla de Leon in 1965.

Levi Celerio's citation read that his music "was a perfect embodiment of the heartfelt sentiments and valued traditions of the Filipino".

Levi Celerio was known for using the leaf as a musical instrument which resulted in the Guinness Book of World Records to recognize him as "the man who could play music with a leaf".

Levi Celerio managed to pick a young leaf and play them a song and he was left unscathed.

Levi Celerio is the recipient of the CCP Gawad Para Sa Sining in 1991, and the Gawad Urian Award in 1993.

Levi Celerio portrayed a variety of roles which ranged from a beggar, a rapist, a liquor thief and pickpocket, and a palm-reader.

Levi Celerio played violin at the Camelot Hotel bar and other small venues.

Levi Celerio died in the afternoon of April 2,2002, at the Delgado Clinic in Kamuning, Quezon City due to multiple organ dysfunction.

Levi Celerio was buried with full military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Levi Celerio was married to Lina Celerio and has 4 children.

Levi Celerio played the piano as a past time but not in a professional capacity.