MEDIUM RARE 

Happy birthday plus one day to the richest Filipino on the planet, a former Tondo boy, former Senate president, and now future planter of a million trees!

Manny Villar turned one year older and no one knows how many million pesos richer yesterday, but if his track record is an indicator, part of his wealth will go back to the soil, where he can plant more trees and certainly, by implication and extrapolation, a newly green Villar City. And in the nick of time, too, considering how Manila and Metro Manila have become so congested that there seems neither rhyme nor reason to expect growth, expansion, fresh abundance and prosperity.

A million trees? In his time, Joe de Venecia sounded the call, too.

Remember how then President Duterte called Manila a dying city? Not all is lost, however, for just a few days ago the news was that the capital city has won a prize as a “leading city destination.” Manilans should’ve rejoiced at the announcement, but did you hear their accolades? Manila should be appreciated for its sunset over the bay, the lofty beauty of Manila Hotel, Roxas Blvd. unless you’re stuck between cargo trucks, plus there’s the great and mighty US embassy standing beside the tourist-friendly Harbor View bayside restaurant. A short distance away lies Intramuros, the walled city, and from there, a jeepney ride to the hustle and bustle of Quiapo. Nearby thrives Arroceros Park, a secret forest beloved of photographers.      

Manny Villar’s dream is a city five times larger than Makati and a space greener than BGC.  Stretching from Sucat to Dasmariñas, the road map includes 10-lane roads which, one can wish for, will be planted to shade trees on both sides. No city can be called pretty unless it’s green in the daytime and lovely at night with lights shining on every street and corner.

If Manny is focused on going south, should another rich man, Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel Corp., develop the north, starting with Bulacan, where he’s building the new airport, and go all the way through Pampanga, Tarlac, to Pangasinan? So much room out there for a reenergized tourism boom, the only drawback being the weather that stays hot 12 months of the year.