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Senator Cynthia Villar has decided to participate the Senate sessions through teleconferencing to keep her safe from the threats of COVID-19. Villar made the decision in a statement she released on May 3, one day before the Senate resumes its session today, May 4. Her full statement: "I will not be attending sessions physically, but I will participate in Senate proceedings through teleconferencing; "Manny and I are staying at home to be safe. Through the help of our faithful staff, who are living with us temporarily, I have been doing my work continuously. And Manny is managing our business online. I can take the risk, but Manny cannot. He is managing a very big organization with thousands of employees and workers. The companies need him because of a predicted economic recession; "We have experienced recessions in 1983 and 1997. Like before, Manny has to manage the business to overcome the present challenges; "There are people like us who can opt to ...

The 14th Las Pinas Parol Festival was held with the local parol-makers and young performers taking the center stage at the newly-inaugurated Tent at Vista Global South. The Parol Festival was a brainchild of Sen. Cynthia Villar when she was still Las Piñas congresswoman in a bid to boost the city's parol-making industry. “The Las Pinas Parol Festival has become a most-awaited tradition during the Christmas season not only for Las Pineros but also for residents of other areas who troop to our city to take part in the festivities,” Villar said. This year’s parol contest has 17 entries from Samahang Magpaparol ng Las Pinas which measure 8 feet to 10 feet.  Prizes for the contest are: First Prize, P20,000; Second Prize, P15,000; and Third Prize, P10,000. PAROL-MAKING CHAMPION. Luzviminda Gallardo received P20,000 cash from former Senate President Manny Villar after being declared the champion in the parol-making contest during the 14th Las Pinas Parol Festival held in the ...

After playing Santa Claus, Senator Cynthia Villar and  her family,  led by former Senate President Manny Villar,  pose with the children  from Baseco, Tondo, Manila and Brgy, Iruhin, Tagaytay City.  The 150 children were treated to a holiday get-away and fun-filled activities in the annual Christmas party and gift-giving sponsored by the Villar SIPAG at Crosswinds Resort Suites.  Also in the photo  Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar and son Tristan; Vista Land CEO Paolo Villar; DOJ Usec Emmeline Villar, wife of DPWH Sec. Mark Villar and their daughter Emma.

A retired seaman won this year’s grand raffle prize of house and lot at the 9th OFW and Family Summit held at the World Trade Center in Pasay last Nov. 12. The name of 62-year-old Elmer Fernandez of Mandaluyong City was drawn by former Senate President Manny Villar assisted by his wife, Sen. Cynthia Villar, infront of over 7,000 summit attendees composed of overseas Filipino workers and their families. “Hindi po ako makapaniwala. Ang dinadasal ko minor prize lang, ito pala ang makukuha ko. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Pamilya Villar at sa bumubuo ng OFW summit,” Fernandez said. Fernandez worked as a machinist/welder of Norwegian cargo vessel Grieg Philippines since 1985. He retired last year and since then tried working as an agent for an insurance company. Fernandez said the Lessandra house and lot unit will be a big help since he is also trying to recover the title of his house in Mandaluyong, which was used as a loan collateral from an Indian lender. Also among the big winner...

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the Inauguration of the Las Piñas Drug Rehabilitation Center last Dec. 13 which was donated by former Senate President Manny Villar and Senator Cynthia Villar. The Mella Hotel of Villar owned by Vistaland was also inaugurated by President Duterte. It is in celebration of the birthday of Manny Villar, Nacionalista Party President and the only Filipino who holds the distinction as the first Post-War public official elected as both Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President. “The rehab center is part of our contribution to the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. Through this facility, we can now have a place in Las Piñas and neighboring cities to transform drug-dependent individuals into fully responsible and productive members of our society,” Cynthia Villar said. It can be recalled that the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG) farm schools also provided  training ...

The Villar family led by Senate President Manny and Senator Cynthia Villar celebrated their annual Christmas gift-giving get-together with some 150 kids from barangay Baseco in Tondo and barangay Iruhin in Tagaytay at the Christmas Village in Crosswinds, Tagaytay. Joined by Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar and wife Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Villar, Camille Villar and grandchildren Emma Therese and Tristan, the family sang and played with the kids in the annual gift-giving affair hosted by the Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance). “We are very happy to have spent this special time with the kids,” Senate President Villar said as he watched kids, aged 2 to 13 years old, enjoy the Christmas Village set up at the 100-hectare Crosswinds community in Tagaytay. The Villars, especially grandkids Emma Therese and Tristan, joined the Baseco kids in watching a magician show and playing parlor games. In the end, they ...

The Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) Foundation has again acknowledged the important role of the youth sector in significantly reducing poverty in the country and improving the lives of many poor families. An the 2nd Villar SIPAG Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge, the Foundation gave due recognition to 10 outstanding youth organizations for their unique and innovative solutions and undertakings to address poverty in impoverished communities. 2ND VILLAR SIPAG YOUTH AWARDS - Senator Cynthia Villar poses with the winners of the 2nd Villar SIPAG Youth awards held in Las Pinas City last July 27. The 10 outstanding youth groups (seated from left): Rayjand Gellamucho - Youth first initiative Philippines Inc., Ma. Arlene P. Toledo - Tigbao 4th Club 3, Rafael Dionisio - The circle hostels tribes and treks and the plastic solution, Reymark P. Marcos- Monteverde 4-H Club, Kyle Isaac Tan Kua - Adopt A Barangay, Metodia B. Maraguinot- Youthlead Philip...

Senator Cynthia Villar turns 68 today, July 29, as she makes simple wishes on her birth anniversary "Lahat ng tao gusto natin good health at saka sana marami pa tayong maibigay na hanap-buhay sa ating mga kababayan," says Villar, during an interview at the 13th Waterlily Festival held at the Villar SIPAG compound in Las Pinas City last July 27. (We all want good health. Hopefully, there will be more jobs for the people). Despite being the richest member of the Senate, the senator usually marks her birthday in a quiet way. "Bihira siya magbigay ng malaking party. She's very simple. Usually pag birthday niya, dinner lang sila ng family niya, as in," a source says. (She seldom throws big party on her birthday. It's always a quiet dinner with her family). The same source also says that the senator celebrated her birthday in advance through the 13th Las Pinas Waterlily Festival last July 27. It was during this event that her friends, members of the...

Sen. Cynthia Villar was awarded an honorary doctorate by the country’s premiere school in agricultural studies during the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) 46th Commencement Exercises held at D.L. Umali Freedom Park, UPLB. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committees on Agriculture and Food and on Environment and Natural Resources, was recognized by the UP Board of Regents for her achievements in the fields of agricultural development, poverty alleviation, education and upholding the welfare of women and children. Dr. Fernando Sanchez, Chancellor of UPLB, said Villar is being recognized “for her commitment to public service and dedication to the welfare of the Filipino people.” In receiving the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Villar said “it is truly an honor and privilege that you all deem me worthy of this recognition.” From left: Dr. J. Prospero De Vera III – OIC, CHED / Chairman of the Board of Regents, Paolo Villar - Vista Land Chief Executive O...

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...

WITH only a few days left before Christmas, Las Pinas residents once again showcased their creative whiz with their amazing giant lanterns for the 12th Parol Festival, now an annual event in the city and eagerly participated in by Las Pineros. Participating parols in the festival were made with recycled materials and followed the required 8 ft x 8 ft size. The Parol Festival was a brainchild of Sen. Cynthia A. Villar when she was still Las Piñas congresswoman in a bid to boost the city's parol-making industry by organizing the “Samahang Magpaparol ng Las Pinas" and the Las Pinas Parol Center which has since served as the training area for lantern makers. “It felt right at that time to help my constituents to provide them with the venue not only to showcase their talents but to also encourage residents, especially promising entrepreneurs, to venture into parol making which is a highly lucrative industry. And 12 years today, we have given birth to hundreds of creati...

TWENTY-ONE outstanding cooperatives nationwide were recognized by the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) of Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, former Senate President Manny Villar and DPWH Sec. Mark Villar, for their exemplary poverty reduction strategies. Each of the cooperatives received P250,000 as seed money to start a new business or expand their existing projects and customized Villar SIPAG bamboo trophy specially made by the Samahan ng mga Mang-uukit ng Paete. The awarding ceremony was held at the VIillar SIPAG hall at C5 Extension Road, Brgy. Pulanglupa Uno, Las Pinas City. More than 220 cooperatives joined the search for the 2017 Villar SIPAG Awards, of which, 21 cooperatives were selected based on their projects’ effectiveness, significance, financial viability, sustainability and adaptability. "We take our hats off to these cooperatives for the wonderful jobs that they do and for all their efforts in helping reduce poverty in our ...

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...