Rosendo’s output flourished as his confidence strengthened, and his opportunities likewise accumulated. Many of his peers at the University of the Philippines themselves would become influential in building musical institutions in the postwar years, which continue to resonate in their contributions in our own time. It is remarkable to recognize the energy that these young artists fostered in their collaborations in this promising new era of opportunity, and to acknowledge the impact they each had in their individual careers. We all are grateful that Rosendo’s inclination to save newspaper articles, programs, and other artifacts affords us a unique view of these personalities as they all begin creating their own momentum.
KZFM Music Hour:
When World War II was over, KZFM was the first radio station to return on the air. It reopened in 1945 and was operated by the US Army Office of War Information. The station became the nucleus of the Philippine Broadcasting System. A regular program was “The Music Appreciation Hour,” conducted by the legendary Felipe Padilla de Leon. Rosendo’s music was featured on October 24, 1948 from 2-3 o’clock p.m. The featured vocalists for this program were Adoracion Musa (1928-2006), soprano and Aristeo Velasco, tenor. Miss Musa performed Rosendo’s Bituin ng Panaginip, Dreams of Spring, and The Nightingale. Musa (later married to Francisco Orara) was an opera and folk singer featured on wartime radio programs and in “golden years” of cinema. In her best-known performance, she sang the opening song and theme for the classic Filipino film “Mutya ng Pasig” (1950). In the United States, the homemaker and foster mother was founder of the Filipino American Women’s Club of NY.
On Sunday, August 28, 1949, the Music Appreciation Hour featured Rosendo’s songs, Paraluman and Dreams of Spring, sung by vocalist Nenita Gorosin.
UP Conservatory of Music Joint Graduation Recital:
Much fanfare preceded this major event featuring the pianist (and swimmer!) Andrea C. Ofilada and Rosendo E. Santos, Jr. The recital took place at the Villamor Hall on Saturday, December 4, 1948 at 5 o’clock p.m. Assisting the featured artists was the U.P. symphony conducted by Maestro Ramon Tapales. Ofilada (Veneracion) (1928-2013) would graduate with degrees in Piano and Voice from UP-Diliman, accompanist for Jovita Fuentes, receive her master’s degree in Voice at Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, and then return to UP to found the UP Madrigal Singers (Madz) in 1963. In 1999, she was named National Artist for Music, the highest cultural award bestowed by the Philippine government for an individual. 
Provincial Capitol Dedication Ceremony:
Rosendo would compose music for special occasions, organizations, and individual people throughout his life. At the dedication of the new Provincial Capitol Building completed and occupied by June 1, 1948, he composed his Provincial Capitol March, in addition to having his song The Nightingale performed at this event held on December 11, 1948. This was attended by dignitaries as honorable as Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines. 
Kawit High Hymn (A Graduation Song) (1950):
In 1946, Roberto T. Tirona, Assistant Principal of Cavite High School, Cavite City, proposed the idea of creating a junior high school in Kawit, Cavite. This was in view of the over increasing enrollment of students coming from the towns of Noveleta, Kawit, Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas and Silang in Cavite which the Cavite High School could hardly accommodate. Moreover, Senator Emiliano Tria Tirona promised to allocate his Pork Barrel Fund of P500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Pesos) for the construction of the school building and payment for the school site once the proposal was approved. Eventually, the Kawit High School, with a faculty of 29 teachers and student population of 1, 200 was temporarily opened in June 1947 at the convent of the Kawit Parish Church (now Saint Mary Magdalene Parish). In 1948, the Kawit Junior High School became a fully-fledged high school and was renamed Kawit High School. It turned its first graduates in 1949.
Tirona’s previous position was mathematics teacher in Cavite High School, where he taught the young Rosendo. Inspired by a feeling of gratitude towards his former teacher (at the request of Tirona), he composed a graduation hymn and wholeheartedly dedicated it to the faculty members and student body of the Kawit High School.
Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor (1952):
Rosendo by his 30s was already composing music for larger ensembles and longer forms, demonstrating maturity in his writing and availability of opportunities to write for established professional ensembles. His Piano Concerto in G minor was completed and already receiving multiple performances in the 1950s: the first performance in March of 1952 at Rosendo’s own graduation recital in the UP Conservatory of Music, and the second during a commencement concert also at UP. One of the most notable was this performance on November 28, 1954 for the Graduation Recital of pianist Virginia Lapus y Luno, candidate for Bachelor of Music at Holy Ghost College Music Department. The full orchestra accompaniment was performed by the Manila Concert Orchestra, under the direction of Lt. Col. Antonino Buenaventura. This performance was preserved via recording, which previously only existed on a vinyl disc, but now has been uploaded with the condensed score for 2 pianos in Rosendo’s own penmanship.
