Fr. Manuel Maramba, the Benedictine monk who became a stalwart in Filipino liturgical music, died on July 13. He was 84 years old.
Maramba succumbed to pancreatic cancer, according to a social media post from UST Conservatory of Music Dean Antonio Africa.
Apart from degrees in philosophy, sacred theology and canon law, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in piano at the Conservatory.
Maramba earned a bachelor’s degree in music composition at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University and later finished his master’s degree and teacher’s certificate in music theory.
Maramba also obtained a Master of Musical Arts in Performance at Yale University School of Music.
The renowned liturgical composer taught music, composition and theory at the Conservatory.
Maramba was known for orchestrating the UST Hymn and three important operas, namely, “La Naval,” “Aba!, Sto. Niño,” and “Lord Takayama Ukon.”
The Conservatory paid tribute to his music, as part of the commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the arrival of the Benedictines in the Philippines, with a concert in February.
According to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Maramba served at the National Appellate Matrimonial Tribunal.
He was a monk at Our Lady of Montserrat Abbey in Manila. He was assigned to Las Cruces Parish in New Mexico from 1976 to 1977.
Maramba was president of the Philippine Society of Organists, board member of the Piano Teachers Guild and a member of the National Music Council of the Philippines and League of Filipino Composers.
