Villar is Tondo's Most Distinguished Son

Nacionalista Party President Manny Villar was awarded as the Pinakatatanging Anak ng Tondo in recognition of his outstanding achievements and continuing contribution as a business man and as a public official.

"Ikinararangal kong maituring na isang tunay na anak ng Tondo, kung saan ako isinilang, nagkamalay at namulat sa diwa ng sipag at tiyaga," Villar said after learning that he was selected as this year's top awardee.

The Parangal para sa mga Natatanging Anak ng Tondo is part of the celebration of the feast of the Sto. Nino de Tondo which will be held Wednesday at the Plaza Amado V. Hernandez, Parokya ng Sto. Nino de Tondo.

Villar was also recognized to inspire more anak ng Tondo and more Filipinos to fulfill their dreams through hard work and determination (Sipag at Tiyaga) - the same values that helped him triumph over poverty and succeed in life.

He accepted the award along with other awardees for their excellence in specific fields, namely, Benito Domingo, Aniceto Gepte Jr., Conrado Contreras, Vice Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, Arnold Clavio, Dale Evangelista, Mayor Alfredo Lim and G. Gemiliano Lopez.

Villar was born in Moriones, Tondo, Manila. His father, Manuel Montalban Villar, Sr., hailed from Cabatuan, Iloilo and his mother Curita Bamba came from Orani, Bataan.

At an early age, he helped his mother sell seafood at the Divisoria market in order to support his siblings and his education. As a working student, he earned his Bachelor's and Masters' degrees in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines. He started his professional career as an accountant and financial analyst for prominent corporations before venturing into his own business.

With an initial capital of only P10,000, Villar went on to establish the largest homebuilding company in the country today.

Villar received several awards in the past including the Ten Outstanding Young Men in 1986, Agora Award for Marketing Management in 1989, Most Outstanding CPA by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 1990, and Most Outstanding UP Alumnus in 1991.

In 2004, Manny Villar was named the Most Distinguished Alumnus--the highest recognition given by the University of the Philippines -- for his exemplary public service and achievements. In 1992, he entered politics and was elected Congressman of Las Pinas and Muntinlupa for three terms in a row, consistently posting landslide victories. In 1998, he was chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He was elected Senator of the Republic in the year 2001. In July 2006 he assumed the Senate Presidency during the third regular session of the 13th Congress. He holds the distinction as the first post-war public official who became both Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President.