Commemorating the 89th Birth Anniversary of George Masangkay Canseco Sr.

The musical genius who wrote Philippine Rotary hymn is regarded by music critics as one of the best sentimental music makers of his time. Amazingly, he did not undergo any formal training in music schools. He self-studied piano and learned to interpret, write and compose notes at a very early age. His parents were not into music, as his father was a doctor, while his mother was a mathematician.

Giving a tribute to the late George Canseco, a veritable Rotarian and the country’s premier songwriter is thus timely as it is appropriate.

(b. April 23, 1934 – d. November 19, 2004)

George Canseco is a Filipino prolific composer, lyricist, songwriter - one of the greatest we have produced. Wrote some movie themes and ballads that are now considered filipino classics and Pinoy POP or OPM - original pilipino music.

Mr. Canseco is credited in writing more than 160 songs in a career which spanned three decades. Words such as timeless, classic, and unforgettable may describe his music however, Mr. Canseco's contribution to the development of Original Pilipino Music through the extensive use of the Filipino language can never be measured. For generations to come, his music will performed by artists looking to express the genuine form of Filipino music composed by a brilliant Filipino from the innermost layers of his soul.

One, if not the most sentimental man of his time, Canseco gave birth to songs that allowed hearts to heal over cathartic bliss in the hundreds of songs he wrote.

Unlike most masters of music, multi-awarded composer Canseco had no formal training in music. He learned to interpret, write and compose notes at a very early age and he taught himself to play the piano.

Canseco finished journalism at the University of the East and worked for the Philippines Herald and Associated Press as an editor. Aside from being a journalist, he also worked as a part-time scriptwriter for the Manila Broadcasting Co and news director at Eagle Broadcasting.

When Martial Law was declared in 1972, he turned to composing songs. His first composition was “I Will Never Be Yours,” followed by “You’re all I Love.” He translated the latter into Tagalog in 1970, when Eddie Rodriguez asked him to write a theme song for the movie “Kapantay ay Langit.” The song became a big hit and gave Canseco instant popularity.

“Kapantay ay Langit” paved the way to numerous hit songs like “Kailangan Kita,” “Ako Ang Nagwagi, Ako Ang Nasawi,” “Ngayon At Kailanman,” “Dito Ba” and “Langis at Tubig.”

Canseco’s songs have helped most of our talented performers’ rise to fame. He has composed hits for singers like Basil Valdez, Kuh Ledesma, Sharon Cuneta, Dulce, and Pilita Corrales. He also directed the music of such movies as Burlesk Queen, Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak; Atsay, and Miss X.

Between 1979 and 1991, he has won a total of 6 FAMAS Awards for Best Movie Theme Song, the Artistic Achievement Award.