Lucio Diestro San Pedro, Sr. (February 11, 1913 – March 31, 2002) was a Filipino composer and teacher who was proclaimed a National Artist of the Philippines for Music in 1991. Today, he is remembered for his contribution to the development of Filipino regional band music and at the College of Music of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, where he retired as a full professor in 1978. He later received the title professor emeritus from the university in 1979.
Personal life
He married Gertrudes Diaz San Pedro with whom he had five children: Ma.Rhodora Soledad, Bienvenido, Ma.Conchita, Ma.Khristina and Lucio Jr.
Death
San Pedro died of cardiac arrest on March 31, 2002, in Angono, Rizal, at the age of 89.
Major Works
- The Devil's Bridge
- Malakas at Maganda Overture
- Lulay
- Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (with the collaboration of Levi Celerio)
- Dance of the Fairies
- Lahing Kayumanggi
Compositional Philosophy
San Pedro is known for advocating "creative nationalism" when composing his own music. According to him, representing Filipino identity doesn't just fall from literally using the material from folk songs but rather getting the most important essence, style and common touch of being a Filipino. A good example of his "creative nationalism" was his "Lahing Kayumanggi" where he dedicated this piece to "the heroic struggle of the Filipino people for liberation from colonization."