Remembering the great George Canseco

George Canseco was a man of many talents.

The accomplished artist penned Rotary Club Manila's official Rotary Hymn. A resolution was passed in February 2019 to adopt its singing as part of the program in all Rotary Clubs and District events, meetings and activities.

Last 30 November, during RC Manila's annual weekly meeting, Canseco was honored with an evening of music  at the Manila Polo Club. Club members and guests were regaled with performances by American balladeer David Pomeranz, noted Fil-American songwriter and singer Martin Nievera, and other equally talented artists such as Dolly Cater, Hector Bongat, Melanie Garcia-Bacle, Dominique, The Angelos and Marcy Bautista.

Before he became a musician, Canseco was first a journalist.

With a degree in journalism from the University of the East, he worked as an editor for The Philippines Herald and The Associated Press. He worked part-time as a scriptwriter for the Manila Broadcasting Company and news director at Eagle Broadcasting.

When press freedom was curtailed in the 1970s, Canseco pursued music full-time. Unlike most of his industry contemporaries, he has never received formal musical training. His melodic pundit and cathartic grasp of lyricism was self-taught, and so was his adeptness in piano.

Biggest break

When Canseco was discovered by Vic del Rosario and Orly Ilacad, the singer and composer called it his "biggest break in the music industry." He went on to work for their company, Vicor Records, as its vice president in the 60s and 70s.

In 1972, Canseco's "Kapantay at Langit" won Best Song in the Manila Film Festival. While it was recorded by the "Juke Box Queen" Amapola, the public's reception to it has gone cold. It became a hit, however, when Pilita Corrales re-recorded and included it in her album Philippine Love Songs Vol. 1 (1972).

In 1973, Canseco became the president of the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Inc. Then First Lady Imelda Marcos commissioned him to compose "Ako ay Pilipino" in 1981. Kuh Ledesma recorded it.

Canseco was also instrumental in the career of Basil Valdez for whom he wrote 20 songs: "Ngayon at Kailanman" (1978), "Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?" (1982), "Paano Ba ang Mangarap?" (1983), "Kastilyong Buhangin" (1980), "Ikaw" (1993) and "Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan" (1994).

He also helped launch the career of Sharon Cuneta with the hits "Langis at Tubig" (1980), "High School Life" (1981), "P.S. I Love You" (1981), and "Dear Heart" (1981).

Canseco also wrote songs for Dulce: "Ako Ang Nagwagi, Ako Ang Nasawi" (1979); Kuh Ledesma, "Dito Ba?" (1982); Rico J. Puno, "Magkasuyo Buong Gabi" (1979); and Zsa Zsa Padilla, "Hiram" (1986).

Special Awit Awards recognition

Along with fellow composer Ryan Cayabyab, Canseco received the Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino Award, a special recognition given by Awit Awards to honor local artists who made lasting contributions to Filipino music in 1996.

He was nominated to become a National Artist in 2006.

Canseco also dabbled in the world of politics. He served as Quezon City Councilor from 1988 to 1992 and 1998 to 2001.

He succumbed to liver cancer on 19 November 2004. He was 70.