Maria Elisa da Rocha Vilaça was born in Porto, Portugal in 1955, and has lived in Macau since 1982. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Masters in History and a Doctoral degree in Museology. She is Currently Director of the School of Arts and Crafts of the House of Portugal in Macau. In this role, she has helped to develop and present projects that have been integrated into the different parades promoted by the Government of Macao, with an emphasis on the construction of giant puppets. She has also presented puppet shows in different schools in the city as well as performing different puppet shows both in Macau and abroad. Artistically, she has training in the areas of jewelry, engraving, serigraphy, traditional Chinese ceramics and sculpture.
