FOR his contribution to Filipino music, a professor at the University of Santo Tomas was given an award in the 1st National Commission for Culture and the Arts SUDI Awards that premiered last August 21.

Dr. Raul Sunico was recognized and conferred the SUDI award for his valuable contributions in the first decade of 2000s.

The SUDI Awards is given to the outstanding musical achievements of artists, musical pieces, journals, cultural workers, or institutions that defined the past decades. SUDI is an Ilokano adjective synonymous to ‘illustrious’, ‘renowned’,  ‘celebrated’, or ‘famous’.

Known for immortalizing classical Filipino kundiman, folk songs, as well as contemporary and pop compositions, Sunico studied each song and blended it with his knowledge gained in the Juilliard School of Music in New York and in the New York University.

UST said Sunico aimed to bring timeless Filipino songs in the international map.

“Throughout his career, the multi-faceted Sunico has been no stranger to awards, recognitions, and standing ovations of the crowd, both on local and foreign soil, after he hit the last key of his piano concerts,” it said.

“Sunico was also able to bring to life and to evoke national pride in the pioneering Filipino classical songs written by National Artists for Music Julio Nakpil, Felipe de Leon, Levi Celerio, and Ernani Cuenco, to name some, in every concert,” it added.

Sunico recorded his renditions of classic Filipino love songs in his three-volume anthology titled, “Filipino Love Songs – In a Classic Piano Mood”.