Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ

Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ, considered as the father of Filipino liturgical music, passed away on January 15, 2008 after he suffered a second major stroke -- the first being in 1991. ISSUES

• Father of Filipino liturgical music. Fr. Honti is best known for his music. When the Second Vatican Council ended and called for inculturation of the liturgy in 1965, Fr. Honti was already composing Mass hymns in Tagalog. His songs include:
  • Ama Namin
  • Papuri sa Diyos
  • Pananagutan
  • Luwalhati
  • Santo
  • Kordero ng Diyos
  • Magnificat
  • Hesus na Aking Kapatid
  • Huwag Mabalisa (Nada de Turbe)
  • Kahanga-hanga
  • Maria, Bukangliwayway

PERSONAL

• Date of Birth: December 20, 1923
• Place of Birth: Molo, Iloilo City
• Father: Jose Hontiveros
Mother: Vicenta Pardo

EDUCATION AND VOCATION

• Elementary, Capiz Elementary School
• High School, Ateneo de Manila, Padre Faura, Manila (1939)
• San Jose Seminary, 1939 - 1945
He entered the Society of Jesus after the war in 1945
• He pronounced his first vows at Sacred Heart Novitiate in Novaliches in June 1947, where he finished his studies in philosophy
• He then proceeded to Ateneo de Zamboanga for his three-year regency, teaching religion, Latin, and English, and moderating the Choir String Band.
• In 1951, he traveled to the United States to study theology.
• He was ordained in 1954 by Francis Cardinal Spellman
• After earning a doctorate in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, he returned to teach in the Philippines in 1958.
• In 1960, he pronounced final vows in the Society of Jesus He was a theology professor and seminary formator for Jesuits and San Jose seminarians.
• He served in various capacities, including as Rector of San Jose Seminary and Dean of Loyola School of Theology

AWARDS

• Tanglaw ng Lahi Award, Ateneo de Manila University (1976)
• Outstanding Catholic Author, Asian Catholic Publishers (1992)
• Papal award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (2000)

Sources: Ateneo de Manila University, PhilMusic