Dominican Musician and Composer Ramón Antonio Molina Declared “National Gloria of Dominican Music”

Dominican Musician and Composer Ramón Antonio Molina Declared “National Gloria of Dominican Music”
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic  9/28/2011

The National Council of Culture, the official organization in charge of designing policies and plans for the development of culture, designated composer and orchestra director Ramón Antonio Molina as “National Glory of Dominican Music” in recognition of his musical achievement and role he played in promoting popular music.

This distinction was bestowed upon the composer at the “Night of the Dominican Composer,” which takes place each month at the Juan Lockward Bar of the National Theater.

This distinction was bestowed upon the composer at the “Night of the Dominican Composer,” which takes place each month at the Juan Lockward Bar of the National Theater.

Bernarda Jorge, Deputy Minister of Culture, was in charge of reading a message from Culture Minister, José Rafael Lantigua, in which he praised the composer, also known as “Papa Molina,” as “an example of devotion, for more than 70 years, to the playing and production of music.”

“He is, without a doubt, a living legend as a result of his singular work in musical composition in the Dominican Republic as well as abroad,” said Minister Lantigua’s message.

Bernarda Jorge and Manuel Llibre Otero, Secretary General of the National Council of Culture, were in charge of the recognition ceremony. The biographical sketch of Ramón Antonio Molina Pacheco was read by José Del Castillo.

Better known as Papa Molina, Mr. Molina Pacheco is a native of Moca. He has been a composer of important popular and symphonic pieces. He is married to folklorist, Josefina Miniño. They are the parents of orchestra director, José Antonio Molina.

The evening’s activity ended with a presentation under the direction of Niní Cáffaro, Director General of the Eduardo Brito National Theater.

The “Night of the Dominican Composer” is dedicated, each month, to a different composer. Some of the past honorees have included Victor Victor, Rafael Solano, Rafael Bullumba, to name a few.

Ramón Antonio Molina (Papa Molina), with his certificate of recognition bestowed upon him by Deputy Culture Minister, Bernarda Jorge; Erásmo (Niní) Cáffaro, Director General of the National Theater; and Manuel Llibre Otero, Secretary General of the National Council of Culture.