Lucio San Pedro was a renowned Filipino composer and teacher, honoured as a National Artist of the Philippines for Music in 1991. Best known for his iconic lullaby Sa Ugoy ng Duyan and the symphonic poem Lahing Kayumanggi, his work greatly influenced Filipino regional band music.

Born in Angono, Rizal, into a musical family, San Pedro became a church organist at a young age after his grandfather’s passing. By then, he had already composed hymns, songs, and two full masses for voices and orchestra. His formal studies included training under prominent Filipino musicians before advancing to composition classes with Bernard Wagenaar at Juilliard in 1947. He also studied harmony and orchestration with Vittorio Giannini.

San Pedro was equally passionate about teaching. He held posts at Ateneo de Manila University, the University of the Philippines College of Music—where he retired as a full professor in 1978—and Centro Escolar University. In 1979, he was named professor emeritus, recognising his dedication to music education.

His most beloved composition, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, was inspired by melodies his mother hummed during his childhood. Composed in the 1940s, the piece remained incomplete until 1948, when San Pedro met lyricist Levi Celerio during a voyage home from New York. Celerio wrote the lyrics en route, and together they created a timeless lullaby that resonates with Filipinos, evoking themes of maternal love and nostalgia.

In 1991, San Pedro was officially named a National Artist, a testament to his profound impact on Philippine music. He married Gertrudes Diaz San Pedro, and they had five children.

San Pedro passed away from cardiac arrest on 31 March 2002, aged 89.