| Background: | person |
| Ernesto Dela Peña | |
| Birth Date: | 26 October 1932 |
| Birth Place: | Paco, Manila, Philippine Islands |
| Label: | Hidcor Recording Co. Vicor Records Star Music |
| Past Member Of: | Ermar Duet |
Ernesto Dela Peña (October 26, 1932–March 12, 2024[1]) was a Filipino composer and lyricist.
Dela Peña was born on October 26, 1932,[1] in Paco, Manila.[2]
Dela Peña would start his career as a recording artist at Hidcor Recording Co. in 1956. He initially sang kundiman songs before shifting to being a lyricist. He would then work for Vicor Records for 30 years.[2] In 2018 he would become associated with Star Music, a recording company owned by the Philippine media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation.[3]
He would write at least 300 songs. Among the singers he wrote songs for was Rico J. Puno; this includes the 1978 song "May Bukas Pa" and 1979 Metro Manila Popular Music Festival entry "Lupa" both of which he wrote with Charo Unite.[2]
He made songs for various artists such as Sharon Cuneta, Bibeth Orteza, Sylvia La Torre, and Bobby Gonzales as well as bands like VST & Company.[1]
Dela Peña was a co-composer of the 1986 Virna Lisa song "Magkaisa".[4]
As a singer, he was part of Ermar Duet with Mar Lopez. They released the album "Pinagbigyan" in the early 1970s.[1]
Dela Peña died on March 12, 2024, due to a lingering illness.[1]