Levi Celerio

Levi Celerio (April 30, 1910 – April 2, 2002) was a Filipino composer and
lyricist. Celerio was a prolific songwriter, with over 4,000 songs to his credit.
He is perhaps best known for being a leaf-player, a feat for which he was
put into the Guinness Book of World Records. In 1997, he was
named National Artist of the Philippines for Music.

Early life and career

Levi Celerio was born on April 30, 1910, in Tondo, Manila to parents that
hailed from Baliuag, Bulacan. He received a scholarship to the Academy of
Music in Manila and became the youngest member of the Manila
Symphony Orchestra. He wrote several number of songs for local movies,
which earned for him the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Film Academy
of the Philippines. Celerio has written lyrics for more than 4,000
Filipino folk, Christmas, and love songs, including many that became movie
titles.
Known for being a good lyricist, his songs cherish life, convey 'nationalistic
sentiments and utter grand philosophies. Celerio wrote more than 4,000
songs, among them are popular pieces, which many consider to be
immortal. At one time or another, no Filipino could miss the tune or lyrics of
Levi's Christmas songs: Pasko na Naman, Maligayang Pasko at Manigong
Bagong Taon (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit), and Misa de Gallo.
His more popular love songs include: Saan Ka Man Naroroon?, Kahit
Konting Pagtingin, Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan,
and Ikaw, O Maliwanag na Buwan, Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak, Sa Ugoy ng
Duyan, and Sapagkat Kami'y Tao Lamang, while his folk songs
include Ang Pipit, Tinikling, Tunay na Tunay, Itik-Itik, Waray-Waray, Pitong
Gatang, Ako ay May
Singsing, Alibangbang, Alembong, Galawgaw, Caprichosa, Ang Tapis ni
Inday, Dungawin Mo Hirang, Umaga na Neneng, Ikaw Kasi, and Basta't
Mahal Kita. Celerio also wrote nationalistic songs such as Bagong
Pagsilang, Lupang Pangarap, and Tinig ng Bayan.
Celerio, for a time, was also recognized by the Guinness Book of World
Records as the only man who could play music with a leaf. Because of his
talent, Celerio was invited to The Merv Griffin Show, where he played "All
the Things You Are" with 39 musicians. Using his leaf, Levi wowed the
crowd and got the attention of the Guinness Book of World Records. The
Book later listed the entry: "The only leaf player in the world is in the
Philippines". He would also later appear on That's Incredible!.

Proclaimed as National Artist

On October 9, 1997, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1114, President Fidel V.
Ramos proclaimed him a National Artist for Music and Literature. His
citation read that his music "was a perfect embodiment of the heartfelt
sentiments and valued traditions of the Filipino."[2]

Later years
In his old age, Levi occasionally appeared in public, usually at a concert at
the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He was also playing at a Quezon
City bar from time to time.[3]

Death
He died at the Delgado Clinic in Quezon City on April 2, 2002, at the age of
91, just two days after the death of a fellow National Artist, Lucio San
Pedro (who wrote the music for Sa Ugoy ng Duyan). But his death was
overshadowed by the death a few days earlier of the popular matinee
idol Rico Yan, thus, his death was received with little public attention. He
was buried with full military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (National
Heroes' Cemetery).[3]