Emilio Villareal

Emilio Villareal (December 21, 1920 –

September 12, 2011), also called Maestro
Mil, is a Cebuano composer and musician.
Born in Boljo-on, Cebu in 1920, Mil was
from a Chinese-Spanish family of
musicians.
 Maestro Mil Villareal

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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

Instruments Piano

Years active 1946–2008

Website http://mil.evillareal.com/

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 U.S.A. and Canada. It is in
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where he
resides with his wife, Enriqueta. Although
retired from the Philippine musical circle,
Mil continued to offer his services and
musical genius to the Philippine Choral
group where, as Musical Director, he
mentored and provided musical
assistance, even composed songs, for
their annual concerts from 1991-2000. He
led the Visayas/Mindanao Association
(VISMIN) choir in Edmonton where various
activities are organized by Filipinos, most
notably, the Sto. Nino 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
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
1. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?
articleId=695140&publicationSubCate
goryId=51
http://www.cebu.gov.ph/listindex.asp?
getwhatvideo=96&category_=mks&wfun
c=viewvideo&rightpanel=yes&titlecap=M
aestro Mil Villareal