Remembering Cebu’s music maestro

CEBU, Philippines - Before the month of September comes to a close, the Jose R. Gullas (JRG) Halad Museum pays tribute to one of Cebu’s musical gems, who passed away this same month in 2011. The late Emilio Villareal, fondly called by colleagues as Maestro Mil, left behind a legacy of genuine Visayan artistry, and for that his memory must remain immortal, as it deservedly should, just like the countless Cebuano tunes he penned in his decades-long career.

One of Cebu’s most talented composers and musicians, Maestro Mil was born in Boljoon, Cebu in 1920. His musical career began as band director of the University of San Carlos in Cebu from 1946 to 1948. He moved on to become staff pianist and eventually 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.

Maestro Mil moved to Edmonton, Canada in 1990 with his wife Tita, where he continued to offer his musical gift to his 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, most notably, the Sto. Niño fiesta.

In January 2010, Maestro Mil was one among the Cebuano musicians feted by the Halad Museum at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel for their remarkable contributions to Cebuano music.

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

The maestro had just joined the annual Huñino songwriting competition in honor of the Señor Sto. Niño with his composition titled “Panamilit” (farewell in Cebuano) recorded by Girlie Lapinid-Laspiñas. Unfortunately, his entry failed to place and Maestro Mil felt despondent with the loss.

Wanting to vent his feelings of dejection, he dropped by Sir Dodong’s office one day. As they famously say, when a door closes, another window of better opportunities might just be waiting to open — which was exactly what transpired.

Sir Dodong had an on-going contest in search of the perfect melody for the composition of THE FREEMAN columnist and ABS-CBN news anchor Leo Lastimosa, “Awit ni Dodong,” which was to be Halad museum’s official theme song. Out of 13 entries submitted, no composition passed their grade.

It was then that Sir Dodong spontaneously thought of appealing to him to create for him a melody for “Awit ni Dodong,” to which the maestro readily agreed. In less than a week, the melody was completed, and it was declared winner of the contest.

“His feelings of disappointment for not winning the Huniño contest, he poured these into composing what would be his final melody,” Sir Dodong fondly recalls.

The great Maestro Mil died on Sept.12, 2011 in Edmonton at 90 years old. He left behind his wife, nine children, 21 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

*Today at 4 p.m., the JRG Halad Museum will stage “Paghinumdum,” a by-invitation only musical tribute to Maestro Mil Villareal and Queen of Visayan Songs, Susan Fuentes. Maestro Mil’s widow, Tita Orcullo-Villareal is also celebrating her birthday today.