Levi Celerio

From the Pearl of the Orient A name was born without dent A laureate in reticence A paradigm beyond silence Composer, poet and lyricist Over four thousand songs on his list Written and delivered so crisp Offered to his countrymen without wisp Love songs cited and laid for all Men and women of good values enthrall From the hearts vibrate with gentleness Depths of melody blossom in tenderness Christmas songs of the nation so immortal Through the decades played and resonate with pedal Pedals of piano, harmonica and instruments of love Love for countless people cuddled in the breasts of dove Sentiments of nationalism in his heart Heart of a humble man from all hearts never depart Simple life he lived with great philosophy in hand Principles of equality and love for country so grand Musician of leafs, so astounding in his wits Talent beyond compare will never die in bits His name is a pillar in the world of music Forever a name so noble, anyone can sing with a lyric A National Artist A Filipino