By CBCP News
August 8, 2020
Manila, Philippines
Sr. Maria Anunciata Sta. Ana, a renowned church musician and composer, died on Saturday, her congregation Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres said.
The nun passed away at their convent in Manila at 12:52pm after a long battle with cancer. She was 85.
“She went home peacefully with some members of her family and the whole community around her,” the SPC said.
Sr. Anunciata was known for her song compositions like “Sino ang Makapaghihiwalay sa Atin”.
Unknown to many, she is one of the first to compose Filipino liturgical music after Vatican II in the 1970s.
In 2005, she was awarded the trophy of Pioneers of Philippine Liturgical Music in 2005 during the Vatican II Commemorative Concert.
Sr. Anunciata was the Dean of the College of Music and the Performing Arts at St. Paul University Manila since 2003.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has recognized the CMPA as center of excellence under her leadership.
The nun also led a monthly music therapy program at the university for children with disabilities, along with their parents and guardians.
In 2019, Sr. Anunciata was the recipient of the “Patron of the Arts Award” in recognition of her excellent contribution to liturgical music by the Archdiocese of Manila and the Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc.
