Julio Nakpil

Julio Nakpil
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Spouse	Gregoria de Jesus

Julio Nakpil (22 May 1867 - 2 November 1960) was a Philippine composer who also fought in the Philippine Revolution.

Early Life

Julio Nakpil was born as one of twelve children to a well-off family in Quiapo district of Manila. His parents withdrew him from formal schooling after two years and had him look over the family stable. Julio educated himself at home and eventually learned how to play the piano as was proper for traditional families during the time. His skill at the piano earned him an audience with the affluent, and later inspired him to compose his first piece - a polka - in 1888. Julio later became a piano teacher and composed regularly.

Philippine Revolution

Further information: [[:Philippine Revolution]]

During the Philippine Revolution, Julio served as a commander for revolutionary troops in the northern Philippines under Andres Bonifacio.

Many of Julio's compositions during this time were inspired directly by the Revolution. Julio also composed a candidate for the Philippine national anthem preferred by Bonifacio but was ultimately rejected for Lupang Hinirang. After Emilio Aguinaldo allegedly ordered Bonifacio executed, Nakpil claimed to have received threats on his own life as well as that of General Antonio Luna, the latter ending up betrayed and executed by Aguinaldo's men.

Later life

After the Revolution, Nakpil fell in love with and eventually married Bonifacio's widow Gregoria de Jesus. They moved to Manila and raised six children, one of whom married the architect Carlos Santos-Viola. Julio continued to compose until his death in 1960. Before his death he also contributed to a book on his life that was published by his heirs in 1964.

External Links

Biographical Website

References

Alzona, Encarnacion (1964). Julio Nakpil and the Philippine Revolution. Carmelo and Bauermann, Inc.