Top 100 Cebuano personalities: Emilio “Mil” Villareal

CEBU, Philippines —  One of Cebu’s musical gems, Emilio Villareal, fondly called by colleagues as Maestro Mil, was born in Boljoon, Cebu in 1920.

His musical career began as band director of the University of San Carlos from 1946 to 1948. He later on become staff pianist and then musical director of the Cebu Broadcasting Company from 1948 to 1982, and of Channel 7’s “Sali Kami” from 1983 to 1988. He was also band leader of the Aristocrats Orchestra and DYRC Orchestra.

Among his most unforgettable compositions is “Bisan sa Damgo Lang,” a classic Cebuano love song popularized by Pilita Corrales.

Villareal moved to Edmonton, Canada in 1990 with his wife Tita, where he continued to offer his musical gift to Filipino comrades there although he was retired from the Philippine musical circle.

He shared his talent with the Philippine Choral group as musical director, mentoring and providing musical assistance, even composing songs, for their annual concerts from 1991-2000.

He also led the Visayas/Mindanao Association (VISMIN) choir in Edmonton where various activities are organized by Filipinos.

In January 2010, Villareal was among the Cebuano musicians feted by the Halad Museum for their remarkable contributions to Cebuano music.

Sir Dodong Gullas, The FREEMAN chairman and founder of the JRG Halad Museum, called Villareal’s visit at his University of the Visayas office back in 2011 as “divine providence.”

The maestro had just joined the annual Huñino songwriting competition with his composition titled “Panamilit” (farewell). His entry failed to place and Villareal felt despondent.

Wanting to vent his feelings of dejection, he one day dropped by the office of Sir Dodong – who happened to have on-going contest in search of the perfect melody for “Awit ni Dodong,” a composition of The FREEMAN columnist and ABS-CBN news anchor Leo Lastimosa.

The song was to be Halad museum’s official theme song. Out of 13 entries submitted, no composition passed their grade.

Sir Dodong spontaneously thought of appealing to him to create a melody for “Awit ni Dodong,” to which Villareal readily agreed. In less than a week, the melody was completed, and it was declared winner of the contest. That became his final melody.

Villareal died on Sept.12, 2011 in Edmonton at 90 years old.