JRG Halad Museum’s Paghinumdum

We were quite overwhelmed to know when The FREEMAN Chairman and JRG Halad Museum's founder Jose "Dodong" R. Gullas and his wife Mrs. Nena Gullas were hosting a musical tribute to Cebu's most talented composer and revered musician – the late Maestro Emilio "Mil" Villareal, and the Queen of Visayan songs, the late Susan Fuentes.

Personally, we knew Mil and his wife Tita (Orcullo) during our teenage days. At radio station DYBU, we had a group called The Sundowners, composing of young ambitious singers, and Mil used to accompany us at the piano. As what Tita had said, her darl Mil was the most patient, considerate, loving man and shared what he had to share in singing knowhow, guiding non-pro singers for the right tune and timing. Our singing over the radio with Maestro Mil at the helm of The Sundowners Show lasted for more than three years.

During the tribute held at the 4th floor of JRG Halad Museum building, Tita was teary-eyed especially when Girlie Lapinid Laspiñas sang three  of the most popular compositions of Mil: "Hain Na", "Ikaw", and "Nahisulat sa Hangin". These songs are truly beautiful and Girlie sang with utmost feelings, so the guests were all touched!

The afternoon's program had also Mayor Michael Rama who dished out "Kausa Nabasa Ang Tubig" (by Allan Jayme Rabaya) con mucho gusto; and then the award-winning UV Chorale rendered Maestro Mil's "Bisan sa Damgo Lang", "Langit Ug Yuta" and finally "Awit Ni Dodong", with lyrics by Leo Lastimosa and music by Maestro Mil Villareal. This was his last composition which, according to Sir Dodong was providentially composed for the theme song of JRG Halad Museum. The rest is history.

Before the program came to a close, Tita Villareal gave a brief response on behalf of Maestro Mil's family. After which, Sir Dodong had a short message about Maestro Mil and the late Susan Fuentes. This was followed by the prodding of Mrs. Nena Gullas for everybody to sing the "happy birthday" song to Mrs. Tita Villareal who was celebrating her birthday that day.

We salute Sir Dodong Gullas for founding the JRG Halad Museum which is the only one of its kind in the whole country today. Congratulations and God bless you, our dear Dodong Gullas! (Photos by Reynan Villena)