Nicanor Abelardo - Creator of "Mutya Ng Pasig"

One famous artist that is part of the rich history of Pasig is Nicanor Abelardo.

Nicanor Santa Ana Abelardo was a composer, pianist, and teacher. He was born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan, on February 7, 1893. He was the son of a photographer, Valentin Abelardo, and a church singer, Placida Santa Ana. His most popular works include the official song of the University of the Philippines,"U.P. Beloved",, "Magbalik Ka Hirang", "Himutok", "Nasaan Ka Irog", "Kundiman Ng Luha", "Bituing Marikit", and "Mutya ng Pasig".

At age five the young Abelardo learned solfeggio and how to play the bandurria from his father. A year later, he was already able to play the William Tell Overture on the guitar. At age eight, he already composed a waltz, “Ang Unang Buko,” which he dedicated to his grandmother. He later learned to play the piano while working for his uncle, painter Juan Abelardo, in Manila, where he studied in primary schools.

The prodigiously talented Abelardo started teaching music in schools in San Ildefonso and San Miguel, Bulacan, when he was barely 15 years old. Before he enrolled at the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music, he worked as a pianist in pubs and theaters in Manila.

Mutya Ng Pasig - The Movie

The Mutya ng Pasig tagalog movie was adapted from Nicanor Abelardo's poetical song inspired by the immortal kundiman and was spearheaded by his brother Richard Abelardo. The movie tells about the supernatural melodrama of a woman's misfortune and suffering interwoven with the legend of the Pasig.

Mercedes (Rebecca Gonzales), aside from being the town's current mutya (fiesta queen), is about to be married to his childhood sweetheart. (Roger Nite). Unknown to them, Dr. Modesto Millar (Jose Padilla Jr), is also secretly in love with Mercedes. One night, Modesto's house is robbed and the blame is placed on Mercedes' groom-to-be. He is arrested and imprisoned after which Modesto courts Mercedes and eventually marries her. When the former fiance is finally released, gossip spreads about hi m and Mercedes.

Consumed by anger and jealousy and believing the superstitious talk that the baby girl is not his because of an ugly birthmark, he banishes Mercedes and the child, chased by his monstrous dog, and she drowns in the river. From that point on, a legend spreads about a woman, a sirena, haunting the river singing a sad but beautiful song.

The Official Seal of Pasig

There are several reasons why the seal has the said symbols. The seal had a blend of both fact and fiction.

THE WOMAN AT THE CENTER OF THE LOGO REPRESENTS THE MUTYA NG PASIG, THE IDEALISM OF PERFECTION IN ALL ASPECTS THAT EPITOMIZES LOYALTY, GOODWILL AND SPLENDOR OF THE CITY OF PASIG.

The mutya is a woman from the Tagalog folklore. It is said to be a maiden goddess of the rivers, lakes, springs, seas and oceans. She is the "Mother of Waters" and was similarly identified as a mermaid or “sirena”, but more likely a ghost or apparition of the river.

Since mutya means a muse or goddess and corresponds to the embodiment of the ideal woman ... and Filipinos, in general, associate fair skin with "goddessness" and ideal beauty, then I guess you could say mutya also means "fair one".

History Of The Name Of Pasig

The “Lungsod ng Pasig” or City of Pasig is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines. It used to be the capital of the province of Rizal before Metro Manila was formed. Located along the eastern border of Metro Manila, Pasig City is bordered on the west by Quezon City and Mandaluyong City; to the north by Marikina City; to the south by Makati City, Pateros, and Taguig City; and to the east by the municipality of Cainta in the province of Rizal.