Among the many qualities of a true leader, it is humility and passion that stand out, no matter how big their success becomes. Every year, we see lists of families who make up the top 1 percent of the country, the Philippines’ very own billionaires. In recent years, the names Sy, Ayala, Razon, Aboitiz and Villar have consistently appeared in such esteemed records.
Unlike most, however Manny Villar’s branding did not begin with the prestige of a family name. It grew from his business accomplishments to a political career — simple hard work that was even captured in his previous campaign song that many Filipinos still remember.
Villar has since stepped away from the spotlight of public service and instead placed his full attention on building and strengthening his family’s business group. Contrary to what many assume, most of the lands he acquired trace back to the 1990s. These were not sudden purchases but part of a long-term vision that later proved to be a wise investment strategy.
DAILY TRIBUNE recently had the chance to explore Villar City and understand how it is steadily growing into a place to call home South of Metro Manila.
It is always surprising to witness the progress of a city, especially when you remember it as bare land with grass and wild fauna, then return years later to see high-rises and townships. What is even more fascinating is imagining the foresight required to see what the future could look like when everything was still untouched.
Villar envisioned a legacy that would go beyond his direct family and extend to the homeowners who will one day fill the estate. During the tour, a group representative mentioned that Manny understands Villar City will not be completed within his lifetime. He instead sees the future generations of his grandchildren as stewards of the greatest heirloom he can pass down. More than land values appreciating, it is a dream that will continue to touch lives and shape communities.
What makes Villar stand out even more is how hands-on he remains. Employees share small stories that paint a clearer picture of the man behind the brand, from moments when he joins staff for simple snacks at the office to casual conversations where he explains how new projects come about.
For him, concepts do not remain concepts for long. He likes to walk through them, sketch them, revise them and understand how each detail can serve future residents. That level of involvement is rare, especially for someone who leads a business empire of this size.
His values are also shared closely by his wife, former Senator Cynthia Villar, who is known for her long-standing advocacy for overseas Filipino workers (OFW). The Villar group understands how important trust is for OFW families, who save, sacrifice and send their hard-earned income home with the hope of building a better future.
This is why Manny and Cynthia emphasize quality in every project, ensuring that anyone who decides to invest in a Villar property receives a home that reflects the value of their years of work abroad. It is a responsibility they do not take lightly, and it has shaped how the entire group communicates, builds and grows.
With 3,500 hectares of land, the Villar family has room to create multiple lifestyle centers and estate communities, each tailored to the needs of future homeowners. An upcoming University of the Philippines branch in the University Town area, a golf course at Foresta, Evia Lifestyle Center, Brittany boutique hotel, Palazzo Verde and restaurant concepts fit for every palate form only the foundation of this city of the future. It is a mix of leisure, education, culture and living that evolves as the community grows.
Villar City was also ahead of its time in terms of location. More people now choose to live and settle in the Metro South, outside the usual bustle of the city but still close enough through expressways and toll plazas. There is space, greenery and new business centers rising near residential communities. It is a kind of living that allows time to be invested in family and in oneself, not just in profit or convenience.
For retirees, the breeze and peace that come with slow living in the South bring comfort. For millennials, the wide open spaces to walk with pets or spend time with family offer energy and grounding. And for the younger generation that blends work and play, the Metro South has quickly become the destination that fits the lifestyle they want.
A mentee of the late Henry Sy Sr., a man who enjoys good music during quiet moments in his hotel, a true foodie who takes pride in the dishes served in his own properties and someone who believes the Philippines is the perfect market for global concepts that can be shaped into something uniquely ours, Manny Villar has shaped a city that reflects both ambition and heart.
Villar City stands today as a vision made real, and its future is one that continues to unfold with purpose.