Antonino R. Buenaventura, a native of Baliuag, Bulacan was born on May 4, 1904. He is the youngest child of two prominent artists from their respective fields. His father, Lucino Buenaventura, was a well-known band conductor, mentor of town bands, and musico mayor of the famed Banda del Regimiento Peninsular de Artillería. Maestro Lucino later joined the Katipuneros and was the most probable composer of the Katipunan song of Bulacan, Joselynang Baliuag. His family’s contribution to the country’s artistic landscape extended beyond music. His mother, Leocadia Ramirez, was a prominent and prize-winning manufacturer of Habing Baliuag (sutla), buntal hat, and sombrero Baliuag. Following in their father’s footsteps, his brothers also demonstrated exceptional talent in the field of music. His eldest brother Federico Buenaventura was a trumpet soloist and became band leader of the Selangor State Band in Malaysia while his elder brother Feliciano Buenaventura was a pianist, band conductor, and composer and was popularly known as “Maestrong Anong” of Baliuag.



His wife, Rizalina Exconde, graduated from the UP Conservatory of Music, majoring in Violin. She was a founding member of the UP Ladies String Quartet and a former concertmaster of the National Philharmonic Orchestra. They were blessed with four children, Antonino Buenaventura Jr., Arturo Buenaventura, Lourdes B. Salipsip, and Roberto Buenaventura.