LAS Piñas Rep. Camille Villar joined San Enriquenhons of Iloilo province as they celebrated “Kapistahan 2024,” the annual patronal and town fiesta of the municipality of San Enrique in honor of and thanksgiving to their patroness, Mary Help of Christians.

Villar was the guest of honor during the festivity, the highlight of which was the crowning of Fiesta Queen 2024, Her Majesty Queen Jilian Lauren Lallab, and her royal entourage, which was held on May 24.

“I am delighted to be a part of… the coronation of your Fiesta Queen 2024, Her Majesty Queen Jilian Lauren Lallab and her royal entourage. Kahit anong fiesta ay talaga namang nagiging exciting at buhay na buhay kapag may participation ng community as represented by our Fiesta Queen,” Villar said.

In her speech, the House Deputy Speaker fondly recalled her visits to Cabatuan in Iloilo, where his paternal grandfather grew up. “Malapit po sa aking puso ang Iloilo, dahil ang aking lolo, ang ama ni Sen. Manny, ay tubong Cabatuan,” she said.

She also reminisced how her father, former Senate President Manny Villar, presented her “to kasaminwas” in Iloilo when she was crowned Fiesta Queen of Jaro in 2006. 

“At home talaga kami dito. Dati nga po, nung kabataan ko ay naisasama din ako sa mga fiesta dito. If I may share po, naging Jaro Fiesta Queen din ako noon, a few years back,” she said.

Likewise, Villar rallied San Enriquenhos to preserve the municipality’s rich culture, heritage and history amid the rapid technological and modern developments not only in the country but also the entire world.

“Sa makabagong panahon ay masaya po ako na pinapahalagahan nyo pa din ang mga makasaysayang pook, tradisyon, at kultura dito sa inyong lugar, lalo na pagdating sa mga simbahan nyo dito. Kitang-kita ko din po na buhay na buhay ang diwa ng bayanihan sa inyong komunidad, dahil tulong-tulong niyong itinataguyod ang bayan ng San Enrique tungo sa mas magandang bukas,” said Villar, who is the CEO of ALL Value Group and managing director of Vista Land.

“Be assured that you have my support as we thrive and work together for a better and more promising future for San Enrique and the rest of our nation,” she added.