Today, May 10, is the 83rd birth anniversary of National Artist for Music Ernani J. Cuenco. Born in 1936, Cuenco was a composer, film scorer, musical director and music teacher.
He played with the Filipino Youth Symphony Orchestra and Manila Symphony Orchestra from 1960 to 1968 and the Manila Chamber Soloists from 1966 to 1970.
He earned a music degree in piano and cello from the University of Santo Tomas, where he also taught for decades until his death in 1988.
His songs and ballads included “Inang Bayan,” “Kalesa,” “Bato sa Buhangin” and “Gaano Kita Kamahal.” He was named a National Artist posthumously in 1999. —Marielle Medina, Inquirer Research
MOST READ