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Sen. Cynthia Villar sent sacks of rice to provide relief to fire victims of Bgy. 105, Tondo. More than 200 families were affected by the fire and are now staying in evacuation areas. Villar said the victims should be provided assistance as they also struggle to cope with extended community quarantine (ECQ) measures.

Smilee Apparel donated P1 million to the City of Manila during the grand opening of its flagship building in Binondo, Manila last Jan. 18. Paul Lee, president of Smilee Apparel, said that the donation would help the various projects of Manila. Also joining Mr Lee in presenting the check were his children, including son Lloyd Lee, his son's wife Miss Universe Philippines national director Shamcey Supsup-Lee, former Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up; and singer Christian Bautista. Mr. Lee describes himself a true-blue Manileno who have faith in the leadership of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. "Sa magandang pamumuno ng ating butihing mayor, I am pretty sure mas lalo pa niyang pagagandahin ang Maynila," said Mr. Lee. Moreno was not around when Mr. Lee announced the surprise donation. Mr. Lee said that he is excited for Smilee Apparel which will come up "with quality goods at affordable prices." "Few years back, I got this chance to buy t...

Sen. Cynthia Villar has underscored the need to stop open defecation in the country. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said she embarked on a toilet bowl distribution project in Baseco in Tondo, Manila because of the health hazards open defecation poses to the residents and the risks of further polluting Manila Bay. The program coincided with the celebration of World Toilet Day. The World Toilet Day celebration was spearheaded by the Department of Health, the Manila Health Department, and the United Nations Children’s Fund with the theme “Toilets for All: Leaving No One Behind.”

  Japanese businesswoman Naho Oue has fallen in love with the Philippines which she now considers her second home. "I love the atmosphere in the Philippines. The people are so friendly," said Naho during a meet-and-greet event at Coffee Project in Morato, Quezon City recently. To prove that she left her heart in Manila, Naho has earlier announced the establishment of Dua Lumina Stem Cell Center which will open in the city sometime in June. Naho, 28, is setting her sights on businesses related to food and restaurants. Before she ventured into businesses, Naho has been doing charity works for children in Tondo, Manila. "I want to help the poor kids of Tondo that's why once in a while, I hold feeding programs there. I also donate clothes," she said. One of the biggest dreams of Naho is to become a movie star. Popular publicist Arlyn Escano is helping Naho to make her ultimate dream come true in Manila. "Naho has the beauty and charms to ...

Re-electionist Senator Cynthia A. Villar has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will provide housing for 2,000 families residing at Isla Puting Bato in Parola, Tondo, Manila. Together with Villar are members of the House of Representatives led by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and representatives from Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), National Housing Authority (NHA) and Philippine National Railways (PNR). The senator, known as “Mrs. Hanepbuhay,” has committed to continue her advocacy in giving livelihood  programs and jobs to poor Filipinos.

Gabriela, a non-government organization for women, has described Miss Universe Catriona Gray a brave person for making a stand on national issues. "We commend her boldness for being brave in expressing her views, for example what we all don't want which is the criminalization of children and we welcome her views on the proposed measure to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old," said Joms Salvador, Secretary-General of Gabriela, during an exclusive interview at the Pandesal Forum held at the Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City on February 28. Just like Gray, Salvador said that Gabriela is opposed to the proposed measure to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old. "Rehabilitation not criminalization. We know that sometimes pageant winners are constrained by their handlers in the industry. But Catriona was brave enough to give opinion and show her stand on the issue," said Salvador. Earlier, Gray said:...

Senatorial bet Dan Roleda’s life has always been linked to the entertainment industry. The 61-year-old lawyer and former Manila Councilor (fourth district, Sampaloc, Sta. Mesa, 1992-1998), party list representative under ANG LAKAS NG BAGONG KOOPERATIBA (ALAB) 1998-2001, and Presidential Adviser for Foreign Investments (2001-2010), worked very closely with award-winning director and fellow Waray Chito Rono in the early ‘80s to uplift industry standards.        As Manila Councilor and President of the Philippine Councilors League, Kaibigan Dan authored and passed the Amended Amusement Tax Law in 1995 that primarily protected movie producers. The amended law ensures transparency in the ticket sales for the correct collection of the said tax by local government units, and at the same time allows movie producers accurate data on box office sales.      The law made mandatory the use of transparent ticket boxes that we now see today in all thea...

Senator Cynthia A. Villar has reiterated the value of personal hygiene and sanitation to improve self-sufficiency and the earning opportunities of individuals and communities. "One’s capacity to earn is enhanced when care and attention are given to his personal hygiene. Employees who come to work fresh and clean are usually healthier and perform their jobs more efficiently as compared to those who go to work looking and smelling grumpy," said Villar, the chairperson of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources. Villar said personal hygiene starts at home, and making sure that homes and communities have proper sanitation facilities is the joint responsibility of families, communities and the government. ‘The government has the duty to ensure the health of its people. The most basic way to guarantee this is through the provision of sanitation facilities such as septic tanks, especially in overcrowded communities,’ Villar said. To set an example...

In pursuit of her advocacy to restore ecological balance in the midst of worsening environmental threats due to climate change, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar pushed residents of Baseco in Tondo, Manila to turn their garbage into useful materials as their contribution to global efforts to preserve and protect the world’s natural resources. ''There is money in garbage. Let us work together in finding ways to recycle our waste materials, which will not only help in protecting our environment but at the same time will augment your incomes,'' Villar said as she turned over handmade paper machines to the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, which Baseco residents can use to make specialty handmade paper products. Handmade papers are sheets of paper or boards produced by hand. The raw materials used for making handmade paper are waste. Handmade papermaking machines produce specialty papers. One of the livelihood activities of residents of Gasangan Street in Baseco, Ton...

The Havana Club livens up the Sipag Villar Commercial Center at C-5 Extension Road, Pulang Lupa Uno in Las Pinas City. During its soft opening recently, Senator Cynthia Villar welcomed guests to the elegant Havana Club whose ambiance is inspired by her family's visit to Cuba many years ago. She also admires the colorful paintings that hang on the walls of the classy and clean bar. "Itong mga paintings na ito sa streets of Cuba lang namin nabili ang mga yan, mga 10 years ago. Mahilig sila mag-painting sa kalye," the senator said. (These paintings were bought in Cuba 10 years ago.  They love to paint in the streets). Havana Club has a stylish bar. It's the perfect place to enjoy a tropical Cuban themed resto in the heart of the city. Enjoy Latin-inspired dishes and tapas or sample some of the finest rums and drinks from their selection. Havana Club is all set up to be a great place to spend the night away with good food and acoustic live music. Ami...

True to her mission to promote sustainable livelihood especially in communities that need it the most, Senator Cynthia A. Villar, together with representatives of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bureau of Soil and Water Management, Metro Manila Development Authority under its Chairman Danny Lim, and Department of Public Works and Highways  led another livelihood and clean-up caravan in Baseco, Tondo on February 7. Villar, chairman of the Senate Committees in Agriculture and Food and Environment and Natural Resources and Director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) said that this is part of her commitment to provide livelihood opportunities to help improve the lives of Filipinos and empower them to become productive contributors to the country’s economy. “I have always believed that Filipinos are hardworking people. They only need the opportunity, the encourag...

VISTA Land Chairman and former Senate President Manny Villar has never forgotten his Tondo roots. And as a way of giving back to the children of Tondo, Villar and his wife, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar has once again gave a one-of-a kind Christmas treat to 150 children from Baseco, Tondo and Bgy. Iruhin, Tagaytay. The Christmas party and gift-giving for the kids was held at the charming Christmas Village of the posh Swiss luxury sanctuary, Crosswinds in Tagaytay. Now on its 8th year, the annual gift-giving of Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) is an activity that the Baseco and Iruhin children always look forward to every Christmas season. “We have been so blessed to have achieved a lot of things in both our public and private endeavors and this annual Christmas treat to the Baseco and Iruhin kids is our way of paying it forward to them,” Sen. Villar said. The children, aged 2 to 13 years old, were treated to fun-filled activities at the Cro...

A medical physicist from Manila who is pushing for energy conservation was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2017 during a pageant held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last Saturday night. Karen Ibasco, 26, edged out 39 other contestants in the environment-driven beauty pageant. She will represent the Philippines at the Miss Earth international pageant in November this year. An early favorite in the prejudging competitions, Ibasco continued to impress the judges during the final question and answer segment of the contest. During the final round, the Top 5 semi-finalists were asked a common question: "The government slogan is change is coming. What change do you wanna see in terms of environmental policies in the country." Ibasco answered: "In terms of environmental policies, everyone [is] experiencing climate change. The whole world is experiencing climate change. I’m just grateful that the Philippines has signed the Paris Treaty. What I want to se...