VILLAR GOES BACK TO DIVISORIA

Senate President Manny Villar, President of the Nacionalista Party, revisits his roots in Manila, particularly at Divisoria market where he spent his younger years helping his mother sell seafood in a stall there.

Its good to be back! I was not only born in Tondo, I actually grew up in Moriones and spent my younger years selling shrimps and fish in Divisoria. This is where I learn entrepreneurship, sipag at tiyaga (hard work and persistence) from my own mother, says Villar, who is going around public markets in the country as part of his campaign sortie.

Villar went around Divisoria Market and interacted and was warmly received by market-goers and vendors. I am overwhelmed by the warm welcome of people here. I am also humbled by their show of support and when they tell me that my life story is an inspiration to all of them.

As the second eldest child in a brood of nine, Villar sent himself and his siblings to school by selling seafood in Divisoria even at a very young age. In his teens and up to college, he continued to be a working student.

Villar also had the opportunity to talk shop with his fellow entrepreneurs when officers and member of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon for him.

There is mutual respect and admiration among entrepreneurs because we understand each otherthe hardships and the struggles that one has to go through in making ones business grow. Filipino-Chinese businessmen are a major driving force of our countrys economy, cites Villar.