Pit Senyor!
Immediately after, I rushed over to the SM Northwing
for the opening of “Cebu, Cebu”, a celebration of Cebu’s
Finest and the launching of “My Cebu, My SM.” We arrived
in time to see Philip Rodriguez’ “Mantones”, a show of
his latest fashion creations for day and evening wear
modeled by some of Cebu’s personable young women and
men.
Then followed the piece de resistance of the show: songs
by Cebu’s Dulce, Raki de Vega, and Eva Santos. It was
during Dulce’s performance that she stepped down from
the stage to greet and honor a guest in the audience, to
my personal surprise, Mil Villareal, with his wife Tita
Orcullo-Villareal. Mil was our pre-martial law dyRC
Music Director who set Dulce off on her phenomenal
eventual stardom in the singing and song recording
firmament. And Dulce thereafter has always remembered
and proudly proclaimed her Cebuano beginnings and
heritage!
Personally and sentimentally, Mil was our first and only
musical director at dyRC where I was the first
announcer/broadcaster, and where we both served from
1947 through 1972, when the station was closed during
Martial Law. So after the show, Mil, Dulce and I were
huddled in a memory-sharing session, happily interrupted
ever now and then, with requests for foto-ops from
friends and fans until it was time to go.
Last Wednesday, the 13th, Mil was among a number of
Cebuano musicians honored at HALAD 2010 at the
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, some of them posthumously,
for their contributions to Cebuano music. Former dyRC
colleagues, now gone, honored with Mil, include his
fellow composers Manuel “Mani” Cabase, Inocencio “Siux”
Cabase and Manuel “Maning” Villareal; and Visayan
“Harana King” Anastacio “Stacs” Huguete. I regretfully
missed the affair, but saw the concert of Visayan songs
and music yesterday at The Terraces at Ayala, which I
hope to write about next week, together with other
activities in this colorful Sinulog Week honoring Señor
Sto. Niño.
Viva, our beloved Señor Sto. Niño! Pit Senyor!
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Halad 2010 honorees
(The Freeman) Updated January 12, 2010 12:00 AM
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=540121&publicationSubCategoryId=51
CEBU, Philippines - For their inimitable artistry and contributions to Cebuano music, HALAD 2010 is set to honor Cebuano musicians (some of them posthumously) this January 13 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. As ultimate tribute to these music-makers, their compositions will be interpreted by our favorite Visayan divas Pilita Corrales, Dulce and Raki Vega as well as the most awarded homegrown choir, the University of the Visayas Chorale, in what could only be described as a Visayan talent extravaganza.
MIL VILLAREAL
Mil Villareal, who is also known as Maestro Mil, is a Cebuano composer who is now residing in Edmonton, Canada. His most famous composition is the song “Bisan sa Damgo Lang” (in English, “Even if it were in my dreams”). Some of the beautiful Visayan songs he created were “Bulawan sa Lapok,” “Veronica,” “Hain Na?,” “Hinumdomi… Mohilak Ka Usab,” et cetera.
Born in Cebu in the year 1920, he started his musical career as School Band Director of University of San Carlos (1946 – 1948), then Staff Pianist and Musical director of Cebu Broadcasting Company (1948-1982), Musical Director of Channel 7’s “Sali Kami” (1983-1988), Band Leader of the Aristocrats Orchestra and DYRC Orchestra. He also became popular when he played at night clubs such as the Farolito Night club, Maracas Night Club, Yarow Beach Night Club, The Other Place Night Club, et cetera. He was also a Musical Director in many Visayan and Tagalog movies.
In Edmonton, where he now resides with his wife Enriqueta, he was the Musical Director of the Philippine Choral (1991-2000) and is still the Musical Director of Vismin Choral Group (1991-present). He also leads the VISMIN (Visayas/Mindanao Association) choir in Edmonton, Canada. This is a group of over 100 members that organizes activities for Filipinos all throughout the year. The main events are the VISMIN anniversary, Christmas, and Sto. Niño Fiesta. Maestro Mil will personally accept his award in HALAD 2010
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Pilita, Raki Vega, Dulce praise Dodong
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
VISAYAN divas Pilita Corrales, Dulce and Raki Vega praised educator Jose Gullas for honoring Cebuano music composers whose works were not given enough recognition. Gullas, also a former congressman, is producing “Halad 2010: A musical tribute to Cebuano culture, artistry.” It will feature Cebuano classics and a cultural showcase at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino tonight. The internationally renowned University of the Visayas Chorale will also perform. As in the last two Halad shows, a new roster of Visayan composers and musicians will be given recognition in Halad 2010.
To be honored for their inimitable artistry and contributions to Cebuano music (some of them posthumously) are Siux Cabase, Stacs Huguete, Metring Ylaya, Fr. Ponce Jed Bellones, Mil Villareal, Maning Villareall, Mahnee and Shiela Cabase, and Oscar Pagas.
Corrales said that even in her concerts abroad, she always renders one or two Visayan songs. Her favorites are “Matud Nila” and “Usahay.” Dulce said with the promotion of Cebuano music and culture by Gullas, it can help tell the world that Cebuanos are talented. Vega, for her part, said it’s better to hold regular concerts of Visayan songs. Corrales suggested that the three of them produce an album of Visayan songs.
