Named after our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, the province of Rizal has been known as the Cradle of Philippine Art for its artist communities and folk festivals.

It can be said that art is part of the province’s destiny. Rizal is where one can find the petroglyphs, a cultural site known as the most ancient Filipino work of art dating back to 3000BC. Art also thrived during the Spanish colonial period with artists like Juancho Senson and Pedro Piñon.

It is therefore not surprising that the province of Rizal is the home of two National Artists – Carlos “Botong” Francisco and Lucio San Pedro.

The recent launch of My City, My SM, My Music at SM City Masinag gave mallgoers a rare glimpse of the life and work of National Artist for Music Lucio Diestro San Pedro, a composer who has glorified the Filipino soul through the creative use of the folk idiom in his compositions, and stands today as a paragon of excellence in the field of music. SM’s other malls in Rizal – SM City Taytay, SM City Marikina, SM City San Mateo, and SM Center Angono also joined in the celebration.

A joint project of SM, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, the Filipino Heritage Festival, WCOPA, and the Philippine Star with support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Music for Young Artists (NAMCYA), and Tahanan Books, My City, My SM, My Music is a celebration of Philippine Performing Arts – music, dance, and theater.

The campaign aims to bring people and music together by showcasing indigenous, folk, classical, and contemporary artistry in a roadshow around the SM Supermalls. Advocating music for all, we are working with communities to mount performances, exhibits, and workshops in key cities around the Philippines.

The program hosted by Antipolo City Government ACADAC Head and emcee Dodie Coronado opened with an angelic rendition of the Lord’s Prayer by Soprano Mary Grace San Pedro, the National Artist’s granddaughter with the Angono National Symphonic Band.

It was a poignant moment for the family of Maestro Lucio San Pedro when the heartwarming video about his life and work hosted by former Congresswoman Chiqui Roa-Puno was presented. Visibly touched were his children Rhodora San Pedro-Delos Santos and Lucio D. San Pedro, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Neneth San Pedro; granddaughter Liezl San Pedro-Lalic; and great grandchildren LJ and JL San Pedro-Lalic.

Officials from The Province of Rizal came in full force. These included Angono Municipal Mayor Hon. Jeri Mae Calderon, Antipolo City First District Board Member Hon. Randy Puno, Antipolo City First District Councilors Hon. Susan Say and  Hon. Agnes Oldan, as well as Rizal Tourism Head, Dr. Corazon C. Laserna, and Antipolo Tourism Head, Mr. Mar Bacani.

Also present were the Rector of the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Antipolo Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Reynante Tolentino; as well as well-known Angono artists John Glenn Blanco, Michael Blanco and Peter Paul Blanco.

They were all warmly welcomed by SM executives led by SM’s Millie Dizon, SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Operations John Brian Ternate with Group Marketing Managers Khristine Lenon and Ma-ann Hipol, SM City Masinag Mall Manager April Anne Duques Assistant Mall Manager Sean Arroyo and SM Center Angono Assistant Mall Manager Paolo Gunao.

Mallgoers had a rare chance of viewing the exhibit at the My Music House showcasing the original compositions, accolades and awards as well as Memorabilia of National Artist for Music, Maestro Lucio Diestro San Pedro, Sr. from the collection of the San Pedro family.

The event also showcased an unforgettable  performance of Maestro San Pedro’s Sa Ugoy ng Duyan by his granddaughter, Soprano Mary Grace San Pedro with the Angono National Symphonic Band. Mallgoers and guests were also treated with an encore performance of Pamulinawen, Kaming Magmamani, Martsa Galante and the Philippine Medley, the theme song of Concert at the Park in Luneta.

Lucio Diestro San Pedro, Sr. was born on February 11, 1913 in Angono, Rizal. He came from a family with musical roots, and had his first exposure in music at the age of five, when his brother Antonio taught him how to play the banduria, octavina, and later the banjo.

In 1931, he wrote his first composition, a complete mass, Missa San Clemente No. 1 (in Latin text) in honor of the town’s patron saint, Señor San Clemente of Angono whose feast day is celebrated via a festive fluvial procession on Laguna de Bay.

After studying under different musicians in the Philippines, he proceeded to the Julliard School of Music in New York City and learned advanced composition under Bernard Wagenaar in 1947. He also studied harmony and orchestration under Vittorio Giannini.

According to the Maestro, representing the Filipino identity doesn’t family from literally using the material from folk songs, but rather getting the most important essence, style, and common touch of being a Filipino.

He has always attempted to immortalize the virtues of the masses, whom he believed are the pillars of the nation.

Among his unforgettable works were Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, Lahing Kayumanggi, Simbang Gabi, and Sa Mahal Kong Bayan, which all touch on Filipino culture.

But it was his band, the Angono National Symphonic Band, he loved the most.  Also, known as Banda Uno, it was founded by Elpidio San Pedro, and nurtured by his son, the late National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro.

The Band is well known for playing the Easter Salubong that recalls Jesus meeting his beloved Mother.  It was also used by Maestro San Pedro as a laboratory for band conducting and compositions.  It has won in various National Band competitions, and is currently under the baton of conductors Joenald John Prades and Prof. Giuseppe Andre Diestro.

Apart from composing music, San Pedro also developed a passion for teaching. He taught composition in numerous conservatories and universities such as Ateneo de Manila University, Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music, and the University of the Philippines College of Music, where he became Chairman of its Composition and Conducting Department from 1970 to 1973.

He retired as professor in 1978 and received the title of Professor Emeritus in UP the following year.

For his work, San Pedro was proclaimed National Artist of the Philippines for Music in 1991. Although he passed away in his beloved Angono in 2002, his legacy lives on today in his music and of course, his Angono band.

The My City, My SM, My Music event in the province of Rizal is the fifth in the series after the grand launch at SM City North Edsa honoring National Artist for Music Ramon Pagayon Santos. This was followed by SM City Olongapo Central’s tribute to Coke Bolipata, SM City Marilao’s homage to National Artists Francisca Aquino and Ernani Cuenco and SM City Pampanga’s showcase on Kapampangan Sacred Music featuring Msgr. Gregorio Lazatin Canlas. Its next stop will be at SM City Dasmariñas on May 5 -12, 2023.