Mico

Categories:
Philippines

Mico Industries IncorporatedMicowas one of the biggest record companies in the Philippines. Owned by Eusebio Contreras, this record company from the 1950s was instrumental in the proliferation of traditional Filipino music in the latter half of the twentieth century. This label generally classifies the titles according to the following genres: balitaw, danza, instrumental, balse, pasodoble, novelty, slow foxtrot, tango, and vocal. Most of the titles fall under the instrumental genre and are primarily performed by local bands, such as the Bocaue Band No. 98, Malabon Band No. 4, Polo Band No. 82, Taytay Band No. 2, and Tony Santos and his Pilipino Combo. These bands are joined by conductors Jose F. Cruz (Bocaue Band No. 98), Felix de Leon (Malabon Band No. 4), Alfredo S. Buenaventura (Polo Band No. 82), and Pampilo Cruz (Taytay Band No. 2). Meanwhile, rondalla groups like those of Nitoy Gonzales and Tony Santos, and other performing groups such as Danny Holmsen and the Stinkers, Dikong and the Sikat Boys, Don Magno and his Orchestra, aswell as Tito Arevalo and His Orchestra, also performed under the instrumental genre.

The repertoire under the instrumental genre generally focuses on Philippine folk songs such as “Putritos” and “Sakuting,” both adaptations of Francisca Reyes Aquino’sfolk song collection, and original Filipino compositions like “Guhit ng Palad” by Arturo P. Santos, “Sampaguita” and “Heroes of the Nation March,” both by Felix de Leon, “Mga Himig ng Aming Bayan” (Songs of our Land) by Jose F. Cruz, and “Banduria” by Santiago Mendoza.

The list of works above suggests a sense of patriotism evoked by themes of nationhood and folk roots. The other genre categories featured under Mico are distributed across compositions for films, such as “Hinahanap Kita” (I Long for You) from the film “Bandilang Pula” (Red Flag) (Everlasting Pictures Production), “Irog Ako Ay Mahalin” (Love me my Beloved) from the film “Pedro Penduko” (Premiere Production), “Hi-Lili Hi-Lo” from the film “Lily,” “Kung Ako’y Maging Dalaga” from the film of the same title (Alta Picture), and “La Maestra Nueva” from the film “Ang Bagong Maestra” (The New Teacher) (Filmaster’s).These were performed by Cely Bautista, known as the “Queen of Jukebox” and a member of the Mabuhay Singers; Tessie Agana, a child star in the 1950s; Lena Stevens; and Tito Arevalo (actor-musician) and his orchestra.