Levi Celerio
Who is he?
His father, who owns a real estate and jewelry company, was distant from
him. His mother and father were never wed and were born to a poor family. Levi Celerio, he was
a Filipino writer of lyrics and music who is credited with creating more than 4,000 songs. In
1997, Celerio received the title of National Artist of the Philippines for Music and Literature.
Early life before his career.
Levi Celerio was born on April 30, 1910, in Tondo, Philippines. Celerio's motherJuliana Celerio,
who plays the harp and sings in the church choir, had an impact on his love of music. He started
playing the violin when he was 11 years old, receiving instruction from a Philippine Constabulary
Band member. Celerio attended Torres High School and later performed with the group as one
of its members.
Director Alexander Lippay then suggested him for a scholarship at the Academy of Music in
Manila, and he was awarded one, becoming the youngest member of the Manila Symphony
Orchestra. He also spent two semesters studying violin at the Academy of Music Manila
Conservatory of Music.
When Levi Celerio injured his wrist after falling off a tree, his time with the musical ensemble
came to an end. He was also a member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Celerio later on
worked temporarily as a comic writer, and as time passed he finally decided to shift to music
writing.
Celerio was a comedian in Premiere Productions' orchestra before
switching to songwriting. He also got involved in poetry. Jose Corazon de Jesus was a poet who
had a great reputation with him. His writings were, however, criticized for "lacking in style" and
his poems failed to find an audience.
More than 4,000 songs by Levi Celerio are attributed to him, many of them are dedicated to his
wife and kids. He composed love, Christmas, and folk songs for the Filipino people, some of
which were featured in motion pictures.
Career & Works
Here are some of the works he composed:
● “Ikaw”
● "Kahit Konting Pagtingin"
● "Saan Ka Man Naroroon? (1968)"
● "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan"
● "Ako ay May Singsing"
● "Ang Pipit"
● "Dungawin Mo Hirang"
● "Itik-Itik"
● "Pitong Gatang"
● "Waray-Waray"
Some of the popular christmas songs made by Levi Celerio are:
● "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit"
● "Maligayang Pasko at Masaganang Bagong Taon"
● "Pasko Na Naman"
● "Noche Buena"
More than 4,000 songs by Levi Celerio are attributed to him, many of them are dedicated to his wife
and kids. Some of the love, Christmas, and folk songs he composed for the Filipino people have
been featured in motion pictures.
Celerio was also known as the “Only leaf player in the world” which was awarded to him by the
Guinness Book of Record.
He received an honorary doctorate in humanities from the University of the Philippines in 1991. In
1989, Celerio received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Philippine Film Academy. In 1991
and 1993, he received the CCP Gawad Para Sa Sining and the Gawad Urian Awards, respectively.
Lastly, He was named a National Artist for Music and Literature by President Fidel V. Ramos on
October 9, 1997, in accordance with Proclamation No. 1114. His song "was a wonderful expression
of the deep thoughts and respected traditions of the Filipino," according to his citation.
Post career
Due to numerous organ malfunctions, Celerio passed away in the late afternoon of April 2, 2002 at
the Delgado Clinic in Kamuning, Quezon City. He had previously experienced a stroke. He was laid
to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani with full military honors.
Ref. Images/works
