Tagaytay is the ideal spot for those who want a cold and cozy escape in the South, made even better by the experiences waiting at Crosswinds by Brittany Corporation. This year, the development set the tone for the season as it held its Christmas lighting ceremony, “Trail of Lights,” at the...
People in the South have a new spot to explore this holiday season, whether they’re out for a walk, a jog, or simply some quality time with family. Villar City, developed by Golden MV Holdings, welcomes the season with “Once Upon a Tree,” its annual Heritage Tree Christmas lighting. Along...
OF TREES AND FOREST Cash, as in physical notes and coins, has apparently been dethroned. According to the 2024 Status of Digital Payments in the Philippines report released by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the share of online payments in monthly retail transactions has risen to 57.4...
Tycoon Manny Villar has emerged as a defining force in Philippine urban development. His ambitious vision and legacy have given rise to Villar City, a sprawling 3,500-hectare megacity thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse demands of modern urban life. Villar City: The new center of gravity...
OF TREES AND FOREST Cynthia Villar, my wife, mother to our three wonderful children, is running for the lone congressional seat of our beloved city of Las Piñas. And frankly, I cannot think of anyone who has the experience, dedication, and fervor to do the job for the people of Las Piñas....
OF TREES AND FOREST (Part 1) What’s in a name? It’s amazing how, sometimes, one’s given name is truly a reflection of one’s personality. Cynthia (woman from Cynthus) is apparently one of the nicknames of the Greek goddess Artemis, who together with her twin brother Apollo was born on...
OF TREES AND FOREST I grew up during the time when Holy Week or Mahal na Araw was solemnly observed. There were no distractions that time. There were virtually no programs on TV except Holy Week related programs and movies like The Ten Commandments and Spartacus. Even radio stations...
OF TREES AND FOREST The World Happiness Report for 2025 was released by the United Nations last March 20, 2025, which was also International Day of Happiness. The report does not only rank countries by their average levels of life satisfaction but also explored “the impact of caring and...
OF TREES AND FOREST (Part I) A few days ago, March 20 to be exact, the World Happiness Report 2025 was launched. That day, March 20, was International Day of Happiness. The United Nations website described the report as a document that “features a ranking of countries by their average levels of...
OF TREES AND FOREST It is a very controversial question. Should government regulate social media? On one hand, we know, and some of us have experienced first-hand the dangers of social media that is completely unfettered. I have been a victim of this. Most recently, I had to post a proof of...
Senator Mark Villar remembered a touching call he got from former President Rodrigo Duterte during his time as Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief. Senator Mark Villar (from left), former President Rodrigo Duterte and former Senate President Manny Villar. (Photo from Senator Mark...
OF TREES AND FOREST When are we going to get rid of the negative connotations attached to the word “palengkera.” In its literal form, “palengkera” simply means someone who engages in the market. I really do not understand why people use the term in a pejorative manner, that is, referring to...
