Villar recognized for achievement as a home builder

Senate President Manny Villar today received an award in recognition of his unparalleled achievement in the real estate industry, especially in providing shelter to Filipinos of lower income groups.

The Chamber of Real Estates and Builders Associations, Inc. (CREBA), the country's largest organization of real estate brokers, builders, developers, professionals, suppliers, and other allied professionals and businesses bestowed on Villar its first Lifetime Achievement Award during the gala night and culmination of its 2008 National Convention at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center in Subic, Zambales.

 "This award is precious because it is conferred by distinguished peers and colleagues in the industry who know intimately the roadblocks and pathways along the way," Villar, also the Nacionalista Party president, said.

"I suppose it was my sense of daring and a clear vision of where I wanted to be that served as my compass. I was driven by sipag, tiyaga at dasal," he added.

Villar is being awarded to recognize his past and continuing contribution to the real estate industry as a key player in this sector, through his various subdivisions, commercial, condominium, town house, golf course and other developments, and his efforts and initiatives as a public servant, beginning with his stint as Representative of Las Piñas City, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator, and now as President of the Senate.

CREBA believes that Villar's feat has not been equalled yet by anyone from the industry and its effect will be there for many years to come. They hope that the award will be an encouragement to other leading figures of the business.

Villar started venturing into the real estate business in 1975 after availing of a P10,000 loan, which he used to purchase two reconditioned trucks to start up a sand-and-gravel business. It was while delivering construction materials to big developers that Villar came up with the idea of selling house and lot packages.

He eventually became the biggest home builder in Southeast Asia , having built more than 100,000 houses for lower and middle-class Filipino families. His business achievements were featured in international publications such as Far Eastern Economic Review, Asia Week, Forbes, Asia Money and Asian Business Review.

The award was given by CREBA National President, Reghis Romero II, and the members of the Council of Leaders, which is composed of all past CREBA presidents. It was witnessed by convention delegates from different parts of the country as well as heads and other representatives from key shelter agencies, leaders from all the important and influential business organizations and local government officials.