Francisco Santiago

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Francisco Santiago, The Father of Kundiman Art Song was born in Santa Maria, Bulacan, on January 29, 1889 to musically-minded peasant parents, Felipe Santiago and Maria Santiago.

In 1908, his first composition, Purita, was dedicated to the first Carnival Queen, Miss Pura Villanueva, who later married the distinguished scholar Teodoro Kalaw.

Santiago's masterpiece was the "Concerto in B flat minor" for pianoforte and orchestra. His most famous piece "Kundiman, (Anak-Dalita)", was sung upon the request of King Alfonso XIII before the Royal Court of Spain.

His other compositions are the kundiman "Sakali Man", "Hibik ng Filipinas", "Pakiusap", "Ang Pag-ibig", "Suyuan", "Alaala Kita", "Ikaw at Ako", "Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran?", "Hatol Hari Kaya?", "Sakali't Mamatay", "Dalit ng Pag-ibig", "Aking Bituin", "Madaling Araw" and "Pagsikat ng Araw". He was named UP Emeritus Professor of Piano, on May 25, 1946. When the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music was celebrating its 30th anniversary, the nationalistic musician died of heart attack on September 28, 1947. He was buried at the North Cemetery, Manila.