Sister Maria Anunciata Sta. Ana, a nun of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, died on Saturday, August 9.
The nun, a renowned Filipino church musician and composer, died at the congregation’s convent in Manila 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,” said the congregation in a statement.
Sister Anunciata is known for her song compositions like “Sino ang Makapaghihiwalay sa Atin.”
Unknown to many, she is one of the first to compose a Filipino liturgical music after Vatican II in the 1970s.
In 2005, she was awarded as one of the Pioneers of Philippine Liturgical Music during a Vatican II Commemorative Concert.
Sister Anunciata was dean of the College of Music and the Performing Arts at St. Paul’s University in Manila since 2003.
The Commission on Higher Education has recognized the school as a center of excellence under the nun’s leadership.
Sister Anunciata also led a monthly music therapy program at the university for children with disabilities, along with their parents and guardians.
In 2019, Sister 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.
