Almost 20 years na ang nakalipas simula noong talikuran ni Dale Villar,, Dalebert Acelar in real life, ang showbiz para sa isang tahimik na buhay sa Amerika.
Pero hinding-hindi raw mawawala kay Dale ang pagmamahal niya sa Philippine entertainment industry.
"I truly miss the Filipino people," bulalas ng dating aktor sa panayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) via Facebook Messenger noong March 12, 2025.
"One of the best things about being in showbiz was entertaining and making people smile. Knowing that I could take away their worries, even for a moment, was something I cherished."
Inamin ni Dale na nami-miss niya minsan-minsan ang pagharap sa camera, lalo na ang pakikihalubilo sa mga tao.
"Over the past years, I’ve realized just how much I miss it. I miss entertaining, the energy of the industry, and the connection with people.
"If given the chance, I would absolutely give showbiz another try.
"I was lucky to be part of something so special, and I’ll always be grateful for that."
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DALE VILLAR: FROM SHOWBIZ TO SALES
Now in his late 40s, si Dale ay nasa automotive industry.
Siya ay sales director ng kilalang car company na Mercedes-Benz sa Portland, Oregon.
"In 2012, I started working for Mercedes-Benz, and I’ve been in the automotive industry ever since.
"I’ve worked at three different dealerships and am now at Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville."
Pag-amin ng Fil-Am heartthrob, dumaan siya sa mahabang adjustment period dahil ang pagiging artista lang ang alam niyang trabaho noon.
"It was a big adjustment, and in many ways, I believe it was for the better. But I have to admit, I do miss the celebrity life.
"Mercedes-Benz has been a passion of mine since I was young, so transitioning from TV and movies to a corporate career was exciting in its own way.
"It allowed me to focus on my family and my career.
"Still, I miss the Philippines, and I miss what I used to do."
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DALE VILLAR'S FAMILY LIFE
Isa ring devoted family man si Dale.
Mayroon siyang limang anak.
Ang napangasawa niya ay si Megan Powers-Acelar, isang American na dating runway/print model na kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho as client advisor sa luxury jewelry brand na Tiffany & Co.
On meeting Megan, ang kuwento ni Dale:
"We were dating for 2 years and of course engaged for 1 year. God brought us together.
"It wasn’t a dating app. While we are happy, others are finding their loves, I was blessed to meet her at a party.
"And I courted her and then after some time, we got together. Truly, she's something I treasure because our love is organic, really magical.”
Pagmamalaki niya: "I have five incredible kids and an amazing wife, who has been my rock through it all. My life revolves around them, and I wouldn’t have it any other way."
Aware naman daw ang pamilya ni Dale na dati siyang model at actor sa Pilipinas.
"Yes, they know, but they don’t fully understand the extent of it. To them, it’s more of a fun novelty than the career it really was.
"Sometimes, it’s hard to explain just how big that part of my life was."
Salamat sa YouTube, napapanood ng kanyang pamilya ang siyam na pelikulang nagawa ni Dale noong contract artist siya sa Viva Films: Manchichiritchit (1993), Pinagbiyak Na Bunga (1994), Kadenang Bulaklak (1994), Ikaw Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay Ko (1994), The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre 2: May The Lord Be With Us (1994), Ober da Bakod: The Movie (1994), Bangers (1995), Bikini Watch (1995), at Pinay Pie (2003).
Dahil sa mga proyektong ito ay nakikilala pa rin si Dale ng fans kahit dalawang dekada na siyang wala sa showbiz.
Kuwento ni Dale, "From time to time, I still get recognized.
"Recently, I was at work, and a Filipino family came up to me and said, 'You look like a Filipino actor named Dale Villar.'
"I just smiled and said, 'I am Dale Villar!' We all laughed, took pictures, and they even asked me why I left and if I ever wanted to go back?
"I told my wife and kids about it, and they found it hilarious. That’s one of the best things about my past—I’m still remembered, and I truly appreciate that."
Inilarawan naman ni Dale ang buhay niya ngayon:
"Life is hectic. We both work, and our kids are all at different stages in life, each with their own unique personalities.
"But that’s what makes it so rewarding. I truly enjoy balancing family life and my career, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything."
Ang bunsong anak ang nakikitaan niya ng potential na maging future performer at puwedeng sumunod sa yapak niya sa showbiz.
"Out of all my kids, my youngest, Devon, is the one who truly has the heart of a performer.
"He loves to entertain—singing, dancing, and being in front of the camera. If he’s not on stage, he actually gets upset because he wants to be part of the action.
"I truly believe he has the gift of entertainment, and if he ever goes to the Philippines, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up in showbiz.
"He’s the only one in the family with that passion, and I can see him becoming an incredible performer."
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dale villar looks back at philippine showbiz career
Unang nakilala si Dale sa ginawa niyang malaking TV commercial for Pepsi.
Pero ang kanyang pagkapanalo bilang Face of the Year in 1993 ang naging ticket niya sa pagpasok sa showbiz.
Dito nagsimula ang isang parte ng buhay ni Dale na hindi niya malilimutan.
"Aside from doing movies and TV show, I loved going to events, provincial shows, meeting fans, taking pictures, signing autographs—just being able to connect with people.
"Even now, I still get messages from people who remember meeting me years ago and how special it was for them. That means so much to me."
Pero nahirapan din si Dale sa kanyang showbiz journey.
Pag-amin niya, "The only hardest part was the celebrity lifestyle. I didn’t always know how to navigate being in the public eye.
"Acting in front of the camera was easy, but understanding how to handle fame was difficult.
"But the one thing I knew for sure was the heart of the people I was entertaining, and that’s what I miss the most."
dale villar's fond memories with past co-stars
Pagbabalik-tanaw pa ni Dale, "Looking at my career in stages, doing my first movie, Manchichiritchit, was a completely new experience.
"I didn’t really know what I was doing at the time, and I wish I had learned more before stepping into that role.
"But I was lucky to have incredible co-stars like Andrew E., Maricel Soriano, and Smokey Manaloto, who guided me along the way.
"After that, every movie became easier, more fun, and something I truly enjoyed."
Mayroon ba siyang pinagsisihan na project?
"I have no regrets about any of the films I made—I loved every single one of them. Each project was a learning experience, and they all hold a special place in my heart.
"And every moment on set—whether for Ober Da Bakod, SST: Salo-Salo Together [variety show], or a movie—was filled with laughter.
"One of my favorite memories was when Andrew E., Patrick Guzman, Raffy Rodriguez, Smokey Manaloto, and I would hop in a van and just go on spontaneous adventures.
"We’d crash random parties and events, jump out, and just have fun. The joy on people’s faces made it all worth it."
dale villar recalls past intrigues
Wala pang social media noon, pero tuwing may lumalabas na tsismis tungkol kay Dale, apektado raw talaga siya.
May pagkakataong gusto lang niyang magtago at hindi magpakita sa publiko.
Aniya, "It was tough. Back then, when a newspaper article came out with chismis, I didn’t know how to handle it.
"I was young and couldn’t understand why these rumors—about having a child, being gay, or even being a male escort—were spreading. None of them were true, but they still affected me.
"Thank God, there was no social media at the time, or it would’ve been even harder. When a bad article came out, I would just hide in my room for a week because I didn’t know how to face the public.
"Everywhere I went, people would ask me the same questions, and it was overwhelming."
Iniwan ni Dale ang showbiz noong pumutok ang matinding scandal involving his manager at the time, si Jojo Veloso ng Philmoda Management, na naging talents sina Ina Raymundo, Matthew Mendoza, Via Veloso, Aya Medel, Ana Capri. at Allen Dizon.
Matatandaang nagkaroon pa ng hearings noon tungkol sa sexploitation controversy ni Jojo kung saan nakuhaan daw sa Betamax at VCD (Video Compact Disc) ang panghihipo at pakikipag-sex niya sa ilang male artists. Na-dismiss ang case dahil walang nag-sue.
Pagbabalik-tanaw ni Dale, "I left the Philippines in 1996 due to a scandal. I decided to lay low and get away from the limelight.
"This allowed me to reassess, and then I came back in 2001. It was a good time to step away—I felt that it was a chance to see what my life was like outside of being a celebrity."
Bumalik ang VIVA heartthrob sa Portland, Oregon, USA, kung saan siya ipinanganak.
Si Dale ay American-born Filipino at parehong Pinoy ang kanyang mga magulang, na parehong nakabase sa U.S.
Inabot ng limang taon bago siya ulit nakabalik sa Pilipinas, at sa kanyang showbiz comeback ay nakahanap siya ng ibang manager.
In 2004, isa si Dale sa mga naging contestants ng GMA-7 reality show na 30 Days, hosted by Lorna Tolentino.
"Second chances" ang tema ng show na binuo ng mga dating artista na gustong magkaroon ng showbiz comeback.
Nakasama ni Dale dito sina Bianca Lapus, Jackie Forster, Raven Villanueva, William Thio, Diego Castro, Jao Mapa, Jana Victoria, Biboy Ramirez, Anna Larrucea, and Dino Guevarra, na siyang nanalo sa show.
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dale villar starts a new chapter in life
Hindi rin nagtagal ay nagdesisyon si Dale na bumalik ulit sa Amerika para simulan ang bagong chapter ng buhay niya.
"When I came back from the Philippines, I opened a bar, and that was a new chapter for me.
"I eventually met someone and had my son Dache in 2007, which shifted my focus to family.
"Then, in 2011, my daughter Vivienne was born. And at that point, I was fully focused on being a father.
"My greatest passion now is my family. I have an amazing wife, who is truly the best woman in my world.
"Together, we have five incredible kids—Dache, Eli, Vivienne, Noah, and Devon—who we love and adore."
Looking back, kuntento si Dale sa naging buhay niya sa showbiz at wala siyang pinagsisisihan sa mga naganap noon.
"I only wished I had understood my career better at the time. I was so caught up in the work that I didn’t fully appreciate it while I was living it.
"But I have no regrets—I have an amazing life, five wonderful kids, and a loving wife.
"If I ever get another chance in showbiz, I’d take it with open arms, this time focusing on the happiness and joy of entertaining."