OF TREES AND FORESTS I remember the first time I stepped into an escalator. It was fascinating and also quite frightening. It was a new experience and many among us were afraid of getting hurt by this technology that makes mobility easier. The same thing with the elevator. The first time I rode one...
OF TREES AND FORESTS It has been chilly the past few days here in Metro Manila. Last Jan. 27, the temperature was at its lowest for the year at 19.9°C. I usually wake up very early in the morning and I can feel the nippy weather as soon as I get up. It is perfect weather to do some brisk walking...
OF TREES AND FOREST A small but very significant shift happened within the economic management team of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. Last week, former Senator and outgoing Batangas Representative Ralph Recto was sworn in as the new Secretary of Finance replacing Secretary Benjamin...
OF TREES AND FORESTS Right before Christmas, I was asked by a journalist who was my mentor in business. I thought it was an interesting question and one which is not often discussed as a crucial factor in the success of young entrepreneurs. I got my degree in Business Administration from the...
OF TREES AND FORESTS We did not have much growing up. We never had lavish food nor plenty of money. We were a big family with two hard working parents. So I do not have memories of extravagant Christmases with plenty of toys or gifts. But what I do have are precious memories of Christmas...
OF TREES AND FORESTS (Part 2) Nobody is born an entrepreneur. I am not aware that anyone has discovered a gene that particularly makes a person a successful entrepreneur. But years of being an entrepreneur and understanding the life lessons of many successful entrepreneurs has brought me to the...
OF TREES AND FORESTS (Part 1) The simple answer is yes. There is no law that says one person or a class of people can’t be entrepreneurs. Essentially, if you want to go into business you should be able to. But is entrepreneurship for everyone? Sure there are no legal barriers if you decide to...
OF TREES AND FOREST Last Oct. 30, 2023, my family and I trooped to the Las Piñas City National Science High School in Talon Dos to cast our votes for the Barangay and SK Elections. I was joined by my wife Cynthia and my children Mark, Paolo and Camille. The voting went smoothly and I would like to...
OF TREES AND FOREST The Villar Group is extremely proud to be recognized for our good corporate governance by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). Our listed companies — Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., AllDay Marts Inc., AllHome Corp., Golden MV Holdings, Inc., and Vistamalls Inc., were...
OF TREES AND FORESTS (This is a continuation of the speech I am sharing with my readers. It was delivered during the National Convention & Housing Expo of the Chamber of Real Estate & Builders' Association (CREBA) held at the SMX Mall of Asia.) Today, Tondo, and in fact, Metropolitan Manila...
OF TREES AND FORESTS Last Sept. 28, 2023 I was invited by the Chamber of Real Estate & Builders' Association (CREBA) to be their keynote speaker during their National Convention & Housing Expo at the SMX Mall of Asia. I would like to thank its national president Mr. Noel “Toti” M....
OF TREES AND FOREST That is the literal meaning of Pan Xenia — the name of my fraternity when I was studying at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Its full name is Pan Xenia International Professional Foreign Trade Fraternity. I entered UP in 1966 and decided to take up Business...
