PASAMBAP - (Pambansang Samahan ng mga Banda sa Pilipinas) was organized by Prof. Felipe P. de Leon in 1953 who served for almost 30 years. The officers of PASAMBAP were Col. Laureano G. Catino (Honorary President), Prof. Felipe de Leon, President; Prof. Hilarion Rubio, 1st Vice President; Maestro Victor Leonardo, 2nd Vice President; Dean Alfredo S. Buenaventura, Secretary; Mr. Eufronio Daramidam, Treasurer; Ismael E. Yanga, Auditor; and Maestro Daniel Fajardo, Adviser.

In 1959, the 1st Vice President created an executive committee of Pilipino Band Masters Association. The appointed members were: Maestro Feliciano Buenaventura, Dr. Bernardo P. Guevarra, Maestro Victor Leonardo, Igmedio Reyes, Capt. Alejandro Roman, Prof. Lucio D. San Pedro and Mr. Mariano Zabat, Jr. The committee formulated ways and means of implementing objectives, fostering brotherhood among country’s bands and musicians and of raising the standards of band playing and musicianship.

From 1953 to the early ‘60s, the association endeavoured to put up such activities to promote band growth as holding National Band Contests at Rizal Coliseum in cooperation with Manila Lion’s Club and the Music Promotion Foundation of the Philippines and the printing of “Ang Gabay” which embodies the Code of Conduct for bands and musicians. Beset by financial problems, the organization suffered difficulties for almost two decades. The cultural renaissance spearheaded by the First Lady, in time provided the needed support in accomplishing its objectives. The San Miguel Corporation’s “BALIKBANDA” from 1978 to 1981 also helped professionalize the playing standards of brass bands.

In the 1980 PASAMBAP election, the Pilipino Band Masters Association, headed by Prof. Hilarion Rubio, and the PASAMBAP under Prof. Felipe P. De Leon, merged under one national band association. Elected Officer’s were: Prof. Felipe de Leon, President; Dean Alfredo S. Buanaventura, VP for Creation; Lt. Col. Augusto Bataclan, VP for Research; Lt. Col. Pedro P. Tolentino, Jr., VP for Promotion; Lt. Col. Peregrino Aledia,. Secretary; Maj. Jose FG Dunca, Asst. Secretary; Lt. Col. Luis Palad, Treasurer; Prof. Eleseo Clamor, Asst. Treasurer; and Prof. Lucio D. San Pedro, Auditor; Col. Antonino Buenaventura (ret) and Prof. Hilarion Rubio, Advisers.

In 1982, a new set off officers was elected with Lt. Col. Pedro P. Tolentino, Jr., as President. Plans and programs for the growth of the organization were subsequently formulated. They could not, however, be immediately implemented because of the lukewarm attitude or inability of some of the newly elected officers to come up to the challenges of their duties and responsibilities. As a result, an emergency meeting was called, a few minutes before the scheduled oath-taking of officers. A sufficient quorum of officers as authorized by the organization’s constitution was instrumental in the revamp of officers. The following officers finally took their oath of office: Lt. Col. Pedro P. Tolentino, Jr., as President; Lt. Col. Geronimo Torres, VP for Conducting; Col. Fulgencio Gragera, VP for Composition; Prof. Mariano Danque, VP for Research; Maestro Alfredo Villanueva, Sr., VP for Promotions; Mr. Leonardo Cayetano, Secretary; Mr. Roberto Evangelista, Asst. Secretary; Mr. Donato Velasco, Treasurer; Meastro Leopoldo Lopez, Auditor; Lt. Col. Vicente Matias, PRO; and Dr. Casimiro Buenaventura, Dr. Augusto Cristi, Maestro Quirino Enriquez, Maestro Alejandro Isip, Prof. Camilo Lapuz, Max Tudela, and Dr. Melchor Villanueva as members of the Board of Directors.

The new PASAMBAP administration ushered in a remarkable stride in the growth of the association and the development of bands. In order to bring the association closer to the members, PASAMBAP provincial and regional chapters were subsequently organized.

The PASAMBAP Chapters conducted their respective band festivals consisting of assembly, parade and oath taking of chapter officers. This was done with the assistance of the provincial, municipal or national officials.

Continuing projects like seminars, workshops and clinics in band conducting, band management, leadership and human relations are conducted by the PASAMBAP for band conductors, band managers, and instrumentalists of the different chapters. As part of the development project, some 180 youth representatives from different PASAMBAP chapters were sent to the first and second Intensive Music Camp at the National Arts Center in Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna. Philippine Band Festival ’82 was held in Rizal Park participated in by no less than 14 bands from different chapters. In 1993, a mini-band contest, dubbed as “BULARICA”, was launched. It was participated in by provincial chapters of Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal and Cavite. In March 1984, five PASAMBAP Community Bands performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. By the middle of the same year, the Folk Arts Theatre (FAT), in cooperation with the PASAMBAP, held a National Band Competition participated in by 36 member bands. Fund support came from both private and government sectors. PASAMBAP also hosted the Fourth Southeast Asia Band Director’s Convention in Manila.

The year 1985 marks the turning point in the growth of the Association as it continues to hold elections unprecedented in its history since its founding. The usual small attendance swelled to more than six hundred delegates representing more than two hundred forty bands all over the country. The following officers were elected for the year 1985-1986: Col. Pedro P. Tolentino, Jr., President; Col. Geronimo P. Torres (ret), Vice President for conducting; Col. Fulgencio Gragera (ret), Vice President for Composition; Professor Mariano T. Danque, Vice President for Research; Mr. Renato Macalalag, Vice President for Promotion; Mr. Roberto S. Evangelista, Secretary; Msg. Godofredo G. Maunahan (PC), Assistant Secretary; Mr. Donato Velasco, Treasurer; Mr. Leonardo Cayetano, Auditor; Prof. Ernani Cuenco, Dr. Francisco Feliciano, Prof. Alex Isig, Dr. Augusto Cristi, Dr. Casimiro Buenaventura, Mr. Paulino Camaclang and Msg. Jose Nogoy Jr. (PC) Members of the Board of Directors.​

The Balikbanda, after an absence of three years (1982-84), was relaunched by San Miguel Corporation with (PASAMBAP) Pambansang Samahan ng mga Banda sa Pilipinas. The objective is not only to preserve the brass band tradition but also to raise the group’s musical standards. Clinics for band conductors and musicians are held before every provincial elimination contest.