About the Composer- Fulgencio Tolentino

Fulgencio Tolentino, composer and conductor of Walang Sugat, one of the most cherished form of entertainment among Filipinos during the last years of Spanish era. Perhaps the zarzuela would not have been accepted at the turn of the century, if its music did not delight and inspire its audience. The phenomenal success of Walang Sugat could be attributed not only to its fine story but also to its little thing and catchy songs, thanks to the genius of its composer, Maestro Fulgencio Tolentino.

He became famous not only of his zarzuela music, but also for being a music teacher, musician and conductor. A native of Antipolo, Rizal and born on January 16, 1872. He migrated in Binan during the Spanish and American War with Catalina Alonzo.

As composer and conductor, he gained fame in China where he conducted four months at a stretch in the cities of Shanghai, Tientsin, and Canton. His talents attracted Col. Walter Loving, the founder and conductor of the famous Philippine Constabulary Band, who became his close friend, and for whom he made musical arrangements.

He often alternated with Col. Loving at the podium. Besides the zarzuelas, he also directed some Italian operas such as La Boheme and La Traviata. His proficiency as a music teacher could be gleamed from the greatness that his pupils attained later in life in the music world.

Among them were director Francisco Santiago of the UP Conservatory of Music, of another Dr. Antonio Molina, Dean of CEU College of Music, Jose Mossesgeld Santiago- Font, the celebrated bass grand opera singer, and Maria Carpena, the foremost leading lady of Walang Sugat and other zarzuelas. His other pupils who distinguished himself in the education field are Mrs. Francisca Terona- Benitez, founder and retired president of PWU- Manila, Mrs. Pilar Hidalgo- Lim, who was President of CEU, and Prof. Lucia Santiago.

He died in Malate, Manila in 1940 in the age of 68. His children who survived him are Consuelo Velarde, mother of Herminio Velarde, Jr., Pilar Rodriguez, wife of Filemon Rodriguez and Mrs. Antonio Vallarta and Araceli Keiner, married to the American Paul Keiner, and Dr. Augusto Tolentino.