# George Canseco

George Masangkay Canseco (April 23, 1934 – November 19, 2004) was a Filipino composer and former politician. He composed numerous popular Filipino songs.

## Early years

Canseco studied and graduated with a Liberal Arts degree at University of the East in the Philippines. After graduation, he worked for The Philippines Herald and The Associated Press as a journalist. He also freelanced as a scriptwriter for hire in Manila. Canseco was commissioned by former Philippines First lady, Imelda Marcos, to compose the national tribute hymn, "Ako ay Pilipino".

## Later career

Canseco wrote the classic "Kapantay ay Langit", a theme from the award-winning Motion Picture sung by Amapola. It was later popularized by Pilita Corrales, which eventually became her signature song. It also had an English version titled "You're All I Love" that was sung by American singer Vic Dana that included some Tagalog lines. The song won the Manila Film Festival Best Song Of The Year Award in 1972. Canseco followed it with an English song entitled "Songs" exclusively for "Songs and Amapola" under the Vicor Music Corporation Pioneer Label. Canseco's best-known composition, however, was "Child", the English-language version of Freddie Aguilar's signature song "Anák". He wrote for Sharon Cuneta and Basil Valdez, and his songs were also recorded by Regine Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pilita Corrales, Martin Nievera, and Kuh Ledesma. Rey Valera was a lyricist of two of Canseco's songs.
Canseco credited film producer and Vicor Music Corporation owner Vic del Rosario for his biggest break in the music industry. Canseco was elected President of the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. in 1973, and also elected a councilor for the First District of Quezon City from 1988–1992 and 1998–2001.

## Death

On November 20, 2004, Canseco died due to cancer at the age of 70 in the National Kidney Institute, Quezon City, Philippines.

## Filmography
### Composer

* Kapantay Ay Langit (1971)
* Babalik Ka Rin (1973)
* Magsikap: Kayod sa Araw, Kayod sa Gabi (1974)
* Vilma and the Beep Beep Minica (1974)
* Ang Inyong Linkod—Matutina (1975)
* Hello, Goodnight, Goodbye (1975)
* Niño Valiente (1975)
* Batu-Bato sa Langit: Ang Tamaa'y Huwag Magagalit (1975)
* Saan Ka Pupunta, Miss Lutgarda Nicolas? (1975)
* Hugasan Mo ang Aking Kasalaman (1976)
* Mrs. Eva Fonda, 16 (1976)
* Wanted ... Ded or Alayb (1976)
* May Langit ang Bawat Nilikha (1976)
* Mga Rosas sa Putikan (1976)
* Hinog sa Pilit (1976)
* Malvarosa (1976)
* Makamandag si Adora (1976)
* Hagdan-Hagdan ang Daan sa Langit (1976)
* Pang Umaga, Pang Tanghali, Pang Gabi (1977)
* Ang Diwata (1977)
* Bawat Himaymay ng Aking Laman (1977)
* Dalagang Ina (1977)
* Burlesk Queen (1977)
* Bakit Kailangan Kita (1978)
* Hubad sa Mundo (1978)
* Doble Kara (1978)
* Mananayaw (1978)
* Sa Lungga ng mga Daga (1978)
* Topo-Topo Barega (1978)
* Isang Gabi sa Iyo... Isang Gabi sa Akin (1978)
* Pagputi ng Uwak... Pag-itim ng Tagak (1978)
* Miss Dulce Amor, Ina (1978)
* Kukulog, Kikidlat sa Tanghaling Tapat (1978)
* Lalaki, Ikaw ang Dahilan (1978)
* Dyesebel (1978)
* Kid Kaliwete (1978)
* Katawang Alabok (1978)
* Atsay (1978)
* Huwag, Bayaw (1979)
* Coed (1979)
* Menor de Edad (1979)
* Biyak na Manyika (1979)
* Huwag (1979)
* Hiwaga (1979)
* Pag-ibig, Bakit Ka Ganyan? (1979)
* Aliw (1979)
* Star (1979)
* Kadete (1979)
* Nakaw na Pag-ibig (1980)
* Miss X (1980)
* Pagbabalik ng mga Tigre (1980)
* Bubot na Bayabas (1980)
* Kastilyong Buhangin (1980)
* Lumakad Kang Hubad... sa Mundong Ibabaw (1980)
* Broken Home (1980)
* Langis at Tubig (1980)
* Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo (1980)
* Brutal (1980)
* High School Scandal (1981)
* Ang Babaing Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang (1981)
* Flor de Liza (1981)
* Hari ng Stunt (1981)
* Legs Katawan Babae (1981)
* Dear Heart (1981)
* Bawal (1981)
* P.S. I Love You (1981)
* My Only Love (1982)
* Magkano ... ang Kalayaan Mo (1982)
* Mga Uod at Rosas (1982)
* Forgive and Forget (1982)
* Alyas Palos Ii (1982)
* Sinasamba Kita (1982)
* Cross My Heart (1982)
* Lalake Ako (1982)
* Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? (1982)
* Bambang (1982)
* Moral (1982)
* Mga Alagad ng Kuwadradong Mesa (1983)
* Friends in Love (1983)
* Palabra de Honor (1983)
* Sana Bukas Pa ang Kahapon (1983)
* Paano Ba ang Mangarap? (1983)
* Pieta (1983)
* To Love Again (1983)
* Sa Bawat Tunog ng Kampana (1983)
* Saan Darating ang Umaga? (1983)
* Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan (1983)
* Dugong Buhay (1983)
* Laruan (1983)
* Pieta: Ikalawang Aklat (1984)
* Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin? (1984)
* Apoy sa Iyong Kandungan (1984)
* Daddy's Little Darlings (1984)
* Piesta (1984)
* Somewhere (1984)
* Sampung Ahas ni Eva (1984)
* Minanong Magat (1984)
* Sa Hirap at Ginhawa (1984)
* Muntinlupa (1984)
* Isla (1985)
* Muling Buksan ang Puso (1985)
* Tinik sa Dibdib (1985)
* Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita (1985)
* Paradise Inn (1985)
* Bomba Arienda (1985)
* Kailan Tama ang Mali (1986)
* Iyo ang Tondo Kanya ang Cavite (1986)
* Magdusa Ka! (1986)
* Huwag Mong Itanong Kung Bakit (1986)
* Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin (1987)
* Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig? (1987)
* Paano Tatakasan ang Bukas? (1988)
* Langit at Lupa impyerno, im-im-impyerno (1988)
* Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita (1989)
* Ang Babaeng Nawawala sa Sarili (1989)
* Imortal (1989)
* Ngayon at Kailanman (1992)
* Ikaw (1993)
* Paano ang Ngayon Kung Wala ang Kahapon (1995)
* Muling Ibalik ang Tamis ng Pag-ibig (1998)

## Awards

| Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Nominated Work | Results |
| 1969 | Awit Awards | Composer of the Year | — | Won |
| 1969 | Awit Awards | Lyricist of the Year | — | Won |
| 1970 | Awit Awards | Song of the Year | "True Love Came Too Late" | Won |
| 1970 | Awit Awards | Best Composer | — | Won |
| 1970 | Awit Awards | Best Lyricist | — | Won |