02 November, 1960

TODAY IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Julio Nakpil, a Filipino composer who also fought during Philippine revolution died at the age of 93. One of his compositions “Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan” was a candidate for the Philippine national anthem but eventually went to Julian Felipe’s “Lupang Hinirang” composition.

Julio, who later became a piano teacher, composed his first short polka piece for the piano called “Cefiro,” in 1888. This was followed with other pieces such as “Ilang-Ilang,” “Recuerdos de Capiz,” “Pahimakas,” “Pasig Pantayanin,” and “Biyak-na-Bato,” to name a few. Among his expository works were “Luz Poetica de la Aurora,” “Recuerdos de Capiz” and “Exposicion Regional Filipina,” all of which were given a diploma of honor from the Exposicion Regional Filipina in 1895. Julio spent his remaining years in creating compositions and writing his memoirs of the Philippine Revolution.

(Ref: Philippine News Agency; Photo from xiaochua.net/2013/05/26/)