Ben Zubiri
Encyclopedia
Wenceslao "Ben" Zubiri who was also known as Iyo Karpo was a Cebuano
composer, actor, and media personality in the Philippines. His most famous composition, for which he wrote both the lyrics and music, is the song Matud Nila (in English "They Say").
Zubiri was born on the island of Cebu
in 1911 and started his schooling in San Nicolas Elementary School. From an early age, he was said to have displayed an ability in singing and music.
He had a role in the movie Bertoldo-Balodoy, which was the first Cebuano film that was ever released. Ben Zubiri also wrote Cebuano
songs. In 1941 he wrote his most famous song, Matud Nila. This song has been labeled by some as the cultural anthem of the Cebuanos. He also was a comedian in radio dramas as well as offering advice on the program Purico Amateur Hour.
Ben Zubiri died in 1969. He was married to Luz Butalid, a Boholana, whom he met while he was in Bohol as a guerilla fighter during the Second World War.
Cebuano language
Cebuano, referred to by most of its speakers as Bisaya , is an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines by about 20 million people mostly in the Central Visayas. It is the most widely spoken of the languages within the so-named Bisayan subgroup and is closely related to other Filipino...
composer, actor, and media personality in the Philippines. His most famous composition, for which he wrote both the lyrics and music, is the song Matud Nila (in English "They Say").
Zubiri was born on the island of Cebu
Cebu Island
Cebu is an island of the Philippines. It is the main island of Cebu Province at the center of the Visayan Islands, south of Manila.It lies to the east of Negros Island; to the east is Leyte and to the southeast is Bohol Island. It is flanked on both sides by the Cebu Strait and Tañon Strait...
in 1911 and started his schooling in San Nicolas Elementary School. From an early age, he was said to have displayed an ability in singing and music.
He had a role in the movie Bertoldo-Balodoy, which was the first Cebuano film that was ever released. Ben Zubiri also wrote Cebuano
Cebuano language
Cebuano, referred to by most of its speakers as Bisaya , is an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines by about 20 million people mostly in the Central Visayas. It is the most widely spoken of the languages within the so-named Bisayan subgroup and is closely related to other Filipino...
songs. In 1941 he wrote his most famous song, Matud Nila. This song has been labeled by some as the cultural anthem of the Cebuanos. He also was a comedian in radio dramas as well as offering advice on the program Purico Amateur Hour.
Ben Zubiri died in 1969. He was married to Luz Butalid, a Boholana, whom he met while he was in Bohol as a guerilla fighter during the Second World War.
List of selected compositions
- Matud Nila (1941)
- Ikaduhang Bathala
- Katulog Na Inday
- Nganong Mipakita Ka
- Tuhoi
- Mitu-o Ako
- Ang Gugmang Gibati Ko
- Pasayawa ko Day