He received musical education from Marcelo Adonay who was then "Maestro di cappella".

In 1907, he became assistant conductor succeeding Pedro Cruz and in 1916 he became permanent band leader after Loving went to the United States only to be hospitalized.

[5] Navarro also impressed Resident Commissioner for the U.S. Manuel L. Quezon that he was commissioned third lieutenant.

His time as a conductor won the admiration of leading bandmasters, including John Philip Sousa.

[3] As a military officer, Navarro received badges as a carbine and revolver expert from the 1920 target season.

[8] Navarro's works written in manuscripts at Bataan were:[8] In Baguio, he composed:[8] In 2013, the UP Symphonic Band dedicated a concert called "An Ode to the Filipino People".

His travels through the United States earned him numerous awards and was admired by foreign music professors.