Emilio Villareal

Maestro Mil Villareal
Maestro Mil Villareal
	Maestro Mil Villareal
Background information
Birth name	Emilio Villareal
Born	December 21, 1920
Origin	Boljoon, Cebu, Philippine Islands
Died	September 12, 2011 (aged 90)
Occupation(s)	Composer, Musical Director
Instrument	Piano
Years active	1946–2008
Website	http://mil.evillareal.com/

Emilio Villareal (December 21, 1920 – September 12, 2011), also called Maestro Mil, was a Filipino composer and musician. Born in Boljoon, Cebu in 1920, Mil was from a Chinese-Spanish family of musicians.

He started as the school band director of the University of San Carlos (1946–1948). He moved on to becoming a staff pianist and eventually, the musical director of Cebu Broadcasting Company (1948–1982). With the advent of television, he was picked as the musical director of Channel 7's Sali Kami (1983–1988). He was also the Band Leader of the Aristocrats Orchestra and DYRC Orchestra. During this time, his reputation for composing some of the most memorable songs in Visayan history flourished. Among the most unforgettable ones was "Bisan sa Damgo Lang", a song popularized and sung by Pilita Corrales, the Philippines' foremost female ballad singer.

Mil's nine grown children and grandchildren reside in Europe, the Philippines, the US and Canada. Mil and his wife, Enriqueta, moved to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1990.

Although already retired from the Philippine musical circle, Mil continued to offer his services and musical genius to the Philippine Choral group in Edmonton where, as musical director, he mentored and provided musical assistance, even composed songs, for their annual concerts from 1991 to 2000. He also led the Visayas/Mindanao Association (VISMIN) choir in Edmonton where various activities are organized by Filipinos, most notably, the Sto. Niño fiesta. During these events, Mil composed songs for the group to sing, including "Panamilit". In his later years, Mil continued to entertain and fulfill his musical drive. In Halad 2010, he was one of the honorees. In 2011, he penned his last composition, a final legacy to the Cebuano culture and the arts, titled "Awit Ni Dodong"^[1] the theme song of Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum with lyrics written by Cebuano newscaster Leo Lastimosa.

Musical compositions

Alaut
Angelica
Awit ni Dodong
Bisan Sa Damgo Lang
Bulawan Sa Lapok
Hain Na
Hain Nang Saad
Hinumdomi ... Mohilak Ka Usab
Ikaw
Ikaw Ang Langit Ko
Imo Ako
Inahan Ko
Kahibulongan
Kay Ikaw Akong Gipakamutya
Langit ug Yuta
Lawos Na
Lusapon Beach
May Adlaw Pa
Nahadlok Ako
Nahisulat Sa Hangin
Panamilit
Pasko Sa Kalipay
Patrocino De Maria
Sa Matag Pitik Ning Dughan
San Lorenzo
Unang Panagkita
Usa Ka Higayon
Veronica
Wa'y Lain Tagiya

Awards and achievements

1958 Most Outstanding Piano (Jazz) Player, awarded by the United States Information Service and the Clarion Magazine
1980 Cebu Pop Music Festival Winner with the song "Langit ug Yuta"
1986 Most Outstanding Visayan Song Composer, awarded by the City Government of Cebu
1987 Most Outstanding Musical Arranger, awarded by the City Government of Cebu
1995 Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Radio Broadcasting in Cebu, awarded by the World Broadcasting Corporation
1996 Recognition in Pioneer Radio Entertainment, awarded by the Cebu Organization of Media Entertainers
1998 VISMIN AWIT Presidential Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the cultural life of the Filipino community in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada through his music
2001 Fine Arts Award received during the 2001 Fifth Hiyas (Gem) Awards (established by the Karilagan Dance Society to recognize deserving Filipino-Canadians for their achievements and contributions to the Edmonton Filipino community and Alberta)
2010 Halad Honoree recognizing his remarkable contributions to Cebuano music as composer. His works can be viewed at the Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum founded by the Freeman Chair, Dodong Gullas, situated at the corner of V. Gullas (Manalili) St. and D. Jakosalem St.
2012 Garbo sa Sugbo posthumous lifetime award from the Province of Cebu (August 10, 2012)
2012 Mabuhi ka Sugbuanon from the Province of Cebu (July 4, 2012)

References

^ Balbuena, Vanessa (2011-06-11). "The lyricist and composer of "Awit ni Dodong"". Philstar Global.

[1] Balbuena, Vanessa (2011-06-11). "The lyricist and composer of "Awit ni Dodong"". Philstar Global.

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