Potenciano Gregorio

Potenciano Gregorio, often referred to as Potenciano Gregorio Sr. (May 19, 1880 - February 12, 1939) was a Bicolano musician. He was the composer of "Sarung Banggi" (One Evening), a waltz that is the most famous song in the Bikol language.

Potenciano Gregorio was born in what was then known as the town of Lib-og (now Santo Domingo) in the province of Albay in the Philippines. His parents were Narciso Gregorio and Canuta Valladolid (some sources spell his mother's name as Balladolid). At an early age he learned to play the violin and was soon recognized for his talent. He subsequently learned to play other instruments such as the bandurria, the guitar, and piano. Later he started writing music for the local church by himself or in collaboration with his older brother Bernardo who organized the local band Banda de Lib-og. Potenciano later became the bandmaster of the same band until he joined the Philippine Constabulary Band in 1919.

It is claimed that Potenciano Gregorio composed "Sarung Banggi" when he was 17 years old.

In 1919, he joined the Philippine Constabulary band under the tutelage of Col. Walter Loving.

In 1961, a fire hit Santo Domingo which destroyed Potenciano Gregorio's ancestral home.