The Life and Music of Manila-Born Singer-Songwriter Luis Eduardo Aute

He created soundtracks for films directed by Jaime Chávarri, Luis García Berlanga, Fernando Fernán-Gómez, Angelino Fons, Fernando Méndez, and many more. It was in this decade that he made a mark in the industry as a singer, solidified with hit songs like "Las Cuatro y Diez" and "Al Alba". Eventually, his career soared with one chart-topper after the next, like "Pasaba por Aquí", "Sin tu Latido", La Belleza", and "Slowly", and he continued to write songs until the 2010s.

In September 2020, Aute passed away, leaving a legacy in literature, music, cinema, and painting. Before the pandemic hit, he was interviewed by Jesus Valbuena for a documentary film that was aimed to celebrate his life and music, with Filipino singers taking renditions of his songs.

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The concert-slash-documentary-film-showing titled, Con tu Latido: Filipinas Canta a Aute, was organised by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and Intramuros Administration. The film featured Bituin Escalante, Philippine Madrigal Singers' choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio, Toma Cayabyab of the Ateneo Chamber Singers and the Villacinco Vocal Ensemble, Julius Sinoy of the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus, James Barbecho, Sheilla Ferrer, and Ella Castro.

Rosa León, one of Aute's dearest friends and the singer of his songs, sings "Mirándonos los Dos" to wrap up the concert film.

Here's Valbuena's conversation with Aute, translated into English:

On his birth and childhood in the Philippines

I was born in 1943, amid the Japanese occupation. Liberation from the Japanese was in 1945, and what came afterwards was the neo-colonization of the United States. I studied at De La Salle, of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and all the books were American. Therefore, I know the history of the United States, but… I don't know how it is now… I suppose yes, now they would have the texts on this matter.

On speaking Tagalog

Anong gusto mong sabihin ko? (Aute's response to "Say something in Tagalog")

Nalilimutan ko na. Kailangan akong magsalita [araw-araw]. [Pero] wala akong kaibigang Pilipino rito. Hindi ako maaring magsalita. Nalilimutan ko na.

Hindi ako Kastila, Pilipino ako, pag nagsasalita ako… (I feel) with the Filipino.

On Filipinos

Hindi lang kababayan, Pilipino rin. When I meet a Filipino... ang puso ko Pilipino rin.

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At his grandmother’s house in the Philippines

My grandmother was born in Valencia, but she was brought to the Philippines at around three, I think, during the colonial era. Her house was on the Boulevard, which was Dewey Boulevard (now Roxas Boulevard), I suppose. It is a beautiful waterfront promenade. The house was right in front of the sea, one of the largest houses on the Boulevard. At some moment—I don’t remember when, but it was before I was born—it was the headquarters of the Americans. There, they held meetings and ate. I still have cutlery with the emblem of the US Navy, which the Americans left in my grandmother’s house.

Of my grandmother’s house, only a fourth of the structure was left. There are photos over there. It was also the headquarters of the Japanese during the Japanese occupation. My grandmother’s house was a bit like a central point for people from Spain. When someone from Spain came, they dropped by and had dinner there. Blasco Ibáñez was also there. I think he spent a few nights in my grandmother’s house.

On his memory of the Philippines

It's that, for me, the Philippines is a bit like a dream, right? It is a dream. I haven't returned there since I left in the year '54. And I have the sensation that I have come from a strange planet. For me, the Philippines is a dream. It's a bit like Superman, who comes from another planet. I feel envious of people who can pass by where they were born, saying, "Look, I was born here… this was the house where I lived, that was where I studied, it is this school…" and so on… having it more or less on hand. But the thing is, I do not have anything on hand, so my memories fade away.

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Valbuena’s interview with Sílvia Grijalba, one of the most prestigious music critics on popular music in Spain during the 80s and 90s

I think the great musical contribution of Luis Eduardo Aute was that, well, obviously, he was a singer-songwriter. Still, he departed from the rigid norms of the singer-songwriter who failed to innovate.

One of the greatest contributing factors was the accompanying musicians, producers like Suso Saiz, whom I know well and who did a very good job with him and other singer-songwriters like Pablo Guerrero. And I think that being close to the “forefront” was one of Aute’s greatest musical contributions. 

Though it is obvious, I would still like to mention his beautiful lyrics, his capacity to write initially, and how he turns things around with brutal metaphors. (This can be seen) in songs such as “Mojandolo Todo”, earning him a special place among singer-songwriters because he was not Rock; he was not your typical singer-songwriter, but rather like some exceptional character in Spanish music.

He deserves this homage and much more. I thank Instituto Cervantes de Manila for taking this initiative. I think there are some beautiful surprises that I will not reveal. Greetings to all, and long live Aute! We love Aute!!!

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