Early life and education She was born in Capiz (now
Roxas City) to a well-off couple named Canuto and Dolores Fuentes. At an early age, she displayed interest in music, learning the contemporary songs at that time. This was evident when she was only five years, she was able to sing
habaneras and
danzas. She pursue her education by attending Colegio de Santa Isabel, and while on vacation to her studies, she would perform
sarswelas and operattas to her neighbors and friends. She was also able to play the piano taught by a town organist after she moved in Manila. She gave her final recital in 1945 appearing in the movie
"Primadona" and gave up performing on stage entirely in 1955. Due to her political connections, she was able to lobby lawmakers to pass a law which led to the creation of foundations promoting music. Under Philippine president
Diosdado Macapagal, her appeal for the establishment of the Music Production Foundation was granted through Republic Act No. 3630, with an appropriated ₱900,000 a year from the government. This was made specifically to maintain a Filipino symphony orchestra. Due to her merits and contributions in her field, she was dubbed as
The First Lady of Philippine Music and in 1976 she earned the title of becoming the first female national artist in music. ==Death and legacy==