The Jesuit Communications (JesCom) has renewed its campaign to have the late priest-composer Fr. Eduardo P. Hontiveros, SJ, recognized as a National Artist for Music, in honor of his enduring legacy as the Father of Filipino Liturgical Music.
During the awarding ceremony of the Purihi’t Pasalamatan National Songwriting Competition, Fr. Nono Alfonso, SJ, executive director of JesCom, provided an update on the nomination process for Fr. Hontiveros.
“We entered his name. ’Yun lang ang masasabi namin. Deliberations are ongoing. This is our third attempt,” Fr. Alfonso said.
He acknowledged that previous attempts had faced objections, with critics claiming Fr. Hontiveros’ music “only caters to the Catholic Church.”
“We know from the past that the objections were… na si Father Hontiveros daw, his music only caters to the Catholic Church, to the Catholic faithhood. That’s something like 85% of the Filipino nation,” he explained.
Fr. Alfonso stressed, however, that the late composer’s body of work transcends religious boundaries and has become part of the Filipino national consciousness.
“We also believe that his music has become part of secular music. For example, sa EDSA People Power, kinakanta ’yung Pananagutan, ’yung Ama Namin din. His music has become part of our anthem as well,” he said. “We firmly believe that Fr. Hontiveros serves not only the Catholic Church but also the Filipino people, which is why we are advocating for his recognition as a National Artist in Music.”
Fr. Alfonso also shared that he recently heard Fr. Hontiveros’ compositions being sung abroad, a testament to their global reach.
“I was in France. Nagulat na lang ako na ’yung misa was in French and yet ’yung choir kumanta ng songs ni Fr. Hontiveros like Papuri sa Diyos and others. His song is being sung not only in the Philippines, but anywhere Filipinos are. We have to recognize that. Source of Filipino pride siya,” he said.
Fr. Hontiveros, who passed away in 2008 at age 85, is credited with pioneering the use of the Filipino language in Catholic liturgical music during the post-Vatican II era. His timeless hymns — including ‘Pananagutan’, ‘Paghahandog ng Sarili’, and ‘Ama Namin’ — continue to be sung in churches and communities around the world.
He has previously been honored with a Papal Award and a Presidential Merit Award, but JesCom and his colleagues at the Ateneo de Manila University believe he deserves the nation’s highest artistic recognition.
The Purihi’t Pasalamatan National Songwriting Competition, organized in his honor, aims to inspire a new generation of Filipino composers to write meaningful liturgical music in the vernacular — continuing the mission and spirit of Fr. Hontiveros’ life and work.
