George Canseco

1934-2004

Born George Masangkay Canseco on April 23, 1934, he studied at the Naic Elementary School and Jose Abad Santos high school. He then finished journalism at the University of the East and even worked as one for the Philippines Herald and Associated Press where he was an editor. While working, he still played his own music until film producer and Vicor Music owner Vic del Rosario discovered him along with cousin Orly Ilacad. The composer went on to work as vice president of Vicor Music in the 60s and 70s. Aside from being a journalist, he also worked as a part time scriptwriter for the Manila Broadcasting Co and news director at Eagle Broadcasting. Canseco began devoting himself into writing music when Martial Law broke out in 1972, seeing that press freedom was being contained in that time.

Meeting Del Rosario proved to be the event that would turn his life around as Canseco wrote for the Megastar Sharon Cuneta the song "High School Life" and "Langis At Tubig" in the 1980s. The producer's faith in Canseco's craft had never worn out as Canseco was even able to fill in lyrics for other composers like Willy Cruz, Homer Flores and Ryan Cayabyab, thus he went further from his own compositions and joined expert hands with other composers throughout his time.

Canseco's songs caused some of our most talented performers rise to fame. With songs hitting where it really hurts or loving where there's already love, Canseco's songs defined a part in the lives of Regine Velasquez, Zsazsa Padilla, Pilita Corrales, Dulce, Kuh Ledesma aside from Basil Valdez and Sharon Cuneta. Canseco's last recorded love song made its way to Martin Nievera's 2002 album.

Source: http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=George_Canseco