MANILA, Philippines - Art 2 Art, recently named by the Catholic Mass Media Award as Best Educational Program on Radio for the second year in a row, pays tribute to National Artist for Music Antonio Molina today at 3:30 p.m. on DZRH (666 khz on the AM band).
Host Lisa Macuja interviews Antonio “Bong” Molina III, grandson and namesake of the National Artist, for this special tribute. Dubbed as the “Dean of Filipino Composers,” the elder Molina formed a musical triumvirate with Nicanor Abelardo at Francisco Santiago who are acknowledged for having elevated the level of Filipino composition.
Born in 1894, Molina grew up in Quiapo, Manila in a house filled with music. As a composer, Molina made over 500 works, including his most famous piece, Hatinggabi which he wrote in 1915. He was the first composer to be invited to perform in Malacañang and the first conductor to have a televised choral concert in 1953.
Molina was named a National Artist of the Philippines on June 12, 1973. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 85.
In Art 2 Art, Bong shares anecdotes about his beloved lolo, whom he would drive for in his later years and with whom he would watch movies and eat in new restaurants that the elder Molina wanted to try. Bong also recalls how his grandfather was a smart dresser, who always had a polished look even when he was just at home.
Art 2 Art can be viewed simultaneously on Cablelink cable television’s Channel 9 and accessed on the Internet through the website http://dzrh.tripod.com.