OF TREES AND FOREST

When I officially announced Villar City to the public, I called it my legacy project because I believe that this is part of my dream for our country — for our country to be truly world-class in every way. As I have always endeavored, whether in business or as a public servant — I want Filipinos to be able to experience the best that we can offer.

I envisioned Villar City to be the culmination of all the best practices, the valuable learnings, insights and expertise that I have gained from being in the business of real estate over the decades. I have 3,500 hectares across 14 cities and towns in Metro Manila and portions of Cavite as my canvas to map out Metro Manila’s “new center of gravity,” a thriving nexus where economic, lifestyle, cultural, and leisure activities will converge.

I have a clear image of Villar City in my mind. Far away from the chaos of Metro Manila we will craft a modern CBD, a Tech Valley, a university town, and a premier lifestyle hub amid lush, verdant landscape of some one million trees and bright, colorful blooms. This imagery and my fondness for wide landscapes and greeneries was actually formed when I was a college student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. 

One of the things that I truly enjoyed as a UP student was the green spaces around the campus. Just staring at trees and greeneries allowed me to relax and I think in a way really helped students in their studies. I remember frequently killing time at the Sunken Garden which is actually called the General del Pilar Parade Grounds. I love spending time there just lost in its spacious and grassy plain. At that time, it was not unusual to see people go there to play patintero or flying saranggolas (kites). 

I entered UP in 1966 and I remember the University Amphitheater had just been developed from just a plain field but it was one of the areas I also loved to visit if I wanted some quiet time. There are many spaces in UP during my time and despite many developments in the area, I am happy that the campus has maintained many of its green spaces making it the few remaining green spaces in Metro Manila.

This experience stuck with me such that when I began developing properties for Camella and even up to now green landscapes have always been a priority for me. This is also part of the reason why I was so happy to announce the upcoming UP Technology and Innovation Campus as part of University Town within Villar City. In a sense, this is my way of giving back to my dear alma mater but also part of my dream for Filipino families to live in communities that are not cramped but have enough “breathable” green spaces.

The University of the Philippines-Villar City Technology and Innovation Campus is aimed at promoting collaboration and establish strong partnerships with local industries and businesses. By doing so, it aims to elevate the standards of education, technology, training, and research in innovation within the region. 

Beyond this, we hope to be able to provide people, especially those living in the south, quality education. We are also looking at establishing a Science High School which together with UP Dasmariñas and the already thriving De La Salle University – Dasmariñas, Philippine Christian University, and Emilio Aguinaldo College – Cavite Campus would make Villar City’s university town truly a center for excellence in education.

William James once wrote, “The greatest purpose of life is to live it for something that will last longer than you.” Raising our kids to become kind and loving people, contributing to the betterment of our society, leaving a legacy for others so that they can enjoy a better and brighter future, these are the things that we live for — not money nor power.

(Email: [email protected] and/or http://www.mannyvillar.com)