Master Diwa: Composer, Violinist, Gamer and Cosplayer

Diwa de Leon is an award-winning professional composer, arranger, ethnic instrumentalist, violinist, sound designer, recording artist, music teacher and all-around musician. He has worked with Joey Ayala, Grace Nono, Cooky Chua, Shaina Magdayao, Chin-Chin Gutierrez, Cynthia Alexander, Noel Cabangon, Bo Razon, Coke Bolipata, The Dawn, and UP Concert Chorus to name a few.

He finished his Bachelor of Music degree, Major in Composition and Minor in Violin at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City under the tutelage of Dr. Ramon Santos, Josefino Toledo, Christine Muyco and Jonas Baes. He is also the valedictorian of Philippine High School for the Arts batch 1997 where he majored in Visual Arts.

In 1997, he and four highschool buddies co-founded Makiling, a world music band. They have been playing music locally and abroad since 1997. They have released 2 albums to date and an upcoming 3rd album in 2008.

In 2001, he was chosen to represent the Philippines at the ASEAN Youth Art Camp which was held in Kuala Lumpur and Pasir Salak in Malaysia.

As a composer and arranger, he is currently busy with freelance music work doing music projects for various clients, and the construction of his personal recording studio. He is also the main composer and arranger for most of Makiling’s songs.

As a violinist, Diwa has been performing with Makiling for 11 years to date. He also performs solo occasionally and holds private violin lessons during weekends.

In 2007, he formed www.diwadeleon.com, a website to promote his services. He provides audio and music services such as violin lessons (Manila only) composition, jingle writing, music scoring, and musical arranging for production companies on stage, television and film.

In 2008, he won the Cinema One Originals “Best Music Score” award for his work on the film “Kolorete” directed by Ruelo Lozendo.

His most recent major works include the official theme music for Survivor Philippines GMA, the soundtrack of indie film Kolorete (directed by Ruelo Lozendo), all arrangements of “The Little Prince” musical staged by the Young Artists Productions, the soundtrack of indie film Pandanggo (produced by Cinema One Originals) and numerous songs and pieces from Makiling’s upcoming 3rd album, Malakas at Maganda.

Diwa comes from a highly musical family, his grandfather Felipe Padilla de Leon, Sr. is a National Artist for Music. He is now on a quest to create his best music composition yet.

His other interests include blogging, cosplay and gaming. He also dabbles in animation from time to time.

Makiling band

List of Selected Original Works
Film Scores
Pandanggo (2006)
Anak ng Sapatos (2007)
Pain Things (2007)
Kaliwaan (2008)
From the Ashes (2008)
Kolorete (2008 – Won, Cinema One Award for Best Music Score)

Television
Body Talk (PTV 4, 2000, Theme Music)
Survivor Philippines (GMA 7, 2008, Theme Music)
Documentaries
Teachers (2008)
Kannawidan Festival (2008)
Commissioned Songs
Huling Paalam (Pundaquit Arts Center, 1997)
Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa (Pundaquit Arts Center, 1997)
Ikaw at ang Pagbabago (Department of Health, 1997)
Hindi Kailangan Magtiis (Department of Health, 1999)
Babae Ka (Arrangement, Women’s Media Circle, 2000)
Abanse Pinay (Election Jingle, Abanse Pinay Party List, 2001)
Songs for World Wildlife Fund (Recorded with Makiling, 2001)
Estudyantipid Theme (ABS CBN, 2007)
Pista (with Makiling, Lisa Macuja and Ballet Manila, 2008)
Ikaw Ako Tayo Magkakapatid (Arrangement, Aliw Awards, 2008)
NRCP Hymn (Arrangement, National Research Council of the Philippines, 2008)

Animation Music
Squidboy (2008)
Hindi Ako Botter (2008 – Won - 2nd place, Level Up National Film Festival)

Stage Musicals
Bertdey ni Guido (Tanghalang Pilipino, 2007)
Little Prince (Arrangement, Young Artists Productions, 2008)

Dance Music
Marco Polo is an Alien (UNILAB, 2008)

Music for Makiling
Balse T’boli (1997)
Makiling No. 1 (1997)
Keltic Tune (1998)
Sinalimbay (1998)
Kajali (1999)
Medyo Modern (1999)
Pasimula (1999)
‘Lang Hanggan (2001)
The Spanish Dancer (2001)
Patintero (2001)
Katuparan (2001)
Himalaya (2008)
Dapithapon (2008)
Galaw (2008)
Lakbay (2008)
Lawa (2008)
Panaginip (2008)