Emilio Villareal

Who is Emilio Villareal?

Emilio Villareal, also fondly called Maestro Mil, by his constituents as well as the talented singers he mentored over the years, is one of Cebu’s most talented composers and musicians. Born in Boljo-on, Cebu in 1920, Mil was one of several children born to Chinese and Spanish immigrants. The gift of music was one shared by several siblings, but it was Mil whose career spanned several decades and to this day, is still alive in spite of his advanced years.

In Mil’s early musical years, he started as the school Band Director of the University of San Carlos. He moved on to becoming a staff pianist and eventually, the Musical Director of Cebu Broadcasting Company. With the advent of television, he was picked as the Musical Directo of Channel 7’s “Sali Kami”. During this time, 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, 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. Today, Mil leads the Visayas/Mindanao Association choir in Edmonton where various activities are organized by Filipinos, most notably, the Sto. Nino fiesta. During these events, Mil composes songs for the group to sing, most recently, the very heartwarming song titled “Panamilit.” In his golden years, Mil continues 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, the theme song of Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum with lyrics written by Cebuano newscaster, Leo Lastimosa.