A True Testament to Villar

From all the e-mails and text messages I get everyday, many of them come from political themes, especially this year that the Presidential Elections are happening. Why, its only down to 40 days (from this date) until the Philippines elects its new leader of the nation. There have been plenty of buzz that it will boil down to either Manny Villar or Noynoy Aquino. While it is widely known that Aquino just entered the race right after his mother's death, Villar has been leading the race since the beginning. Sadly though, it is with these two candidates that are most publicized negatively (although I don't feel for Aquino so much, or at all even...).

I am convinced however, that if not all, most of the rumors hounding Villar are false. Aquino's Yellow influence on all forms of media (radio, tv, newspaper, internet) is solid, given that the administration led by his mother were full of cronies and tyrants that own these media companies. Whatever it is that they wish to portray their opponents (in this case, Villar) as, they are able to do because of their overwhelming power in media. Imagine, if they want to broadcast to the entire Philippines that Villar land-grabbed, or stole money, re-aligned whatever road, or any issue for that matter, all they have to do is tell local news programs (as well as Kris Aquino) to spread the rumor like wildfire and it will.

Unfortunately, this kind of dirty tactics is working for them.

I hope that every Filipino gets to really understand and comprehend to what these power-craving liar scumbags are planning for the Philippines. Meanwhile, a friend sent me this relieving e-mail that shows who Villar truly is. Enjoy.

He is the Man: A high school classmate tells why Manny Villar is the best presidential bet for the May 10 polls
By Manny Castro
Why do I think Manny Villar is the best candidate we have for the May elections?

I knew him from the heart. We grew up together inTondo. I lived in Tayuman, he’s from Moriones but we often saw each other and played basketball. Back in high school, we were classmates in Mapua Institute of Technology in Sta.Cruz, Manila.

I remember him as a simple but no ordinary student. No, he wasn’t nerdy nor the Ernie Baron-type of a student. He’s no ordinary because as young as thirteen or fourteen years old (during our second and third year in high school) he was already selling fish and shrimps in Divisoria, sometimes by himself, sometimes with his mother.

For those who say that he’s not really poor because his parents can afford to send him to private schools don’t know what they’re saying. Or they simply don’t know the meaning of sacrifice and honest hard work; of waking up as early as 1 am to be able to fetch the freshest fish in Navotas and be able to resell it per kilo in Divisoria – to be able to pay for your education.

Talagang iginapang ni Manny at ng kanyang mga magulang ang pag-aaral niya at ng kanyang mga kapatid. ‘Yan ang hindi naranasan ng mga kalaban ni Manny na lumaking may nagsisilbing mga yaya at driver na naghahatid pa sa kanila sa pagpasok sa eskwela. Si Manny sumasabit pa ‘yan sa jeep para lang makatipid sa pamasahe. Yung matitipid niya sa pamasahe, pambaon niya sa susunod na araw para hindi na siya manghingi sa kanyang nanay. Because his parents believe that a good education is the only hope for their children para makaahon sa kahirapan.

Diyan ako bumilib at naniwala sa determinasyon at kakayahan ni Manny. During our high school reunions, he would remind us “Malalagpasan din natin ito (poverty), basta’t magtiyaga lang tayo.” And true to his word and action, mula pagkabata iyang prinsipyo na iyan ang dala-dala at pinanghawakan niya. When we were in high school, nakakaawa yan sa klase. From Navotas and Divisoria, after selling fish, diretso na ‘yan sa school. 7 am ang klase namin. Syempre pagod na pagod at puyat pa, kaya madalas late at nakakatulog sa klase. Pero hindi siya nahihiya, basta ‘wag lang maabsent.

Determined at focus talaga siya sa pangarap niya. He knew he was poor that’s why he avoided unnecessary expenses (like attending the Juniors-Seniors’ Prom) and didn’t have time for extra-curricular activities in school. During our senior year, his mother borrowed a neighbor’s barong so that Manny could attend our prom which was held at the school quadrangle. Nahiya na lang siguro kaya napilitang umattend kasi ‘nung third year kami hindi siya nakaattend kasi nga walang pambili ng barong.

He was a student but he had spent most of his time working to contribute to his family’s meager earnings. When he’s not selling fish in the market, he helped his mother tend the sari-sari store in their rented house in Moriones. I think Manny felt that it was his role since siya ang panganay na lalake sa kanilang siyam na magkakapatid.

That’s why hindi na ako nagtaka when I saw him slowly rose from poverty. Sabi ko magtatagumpay talaga ang taong ito because he has character and integrity, perseverance and iron will. His vision is clear. His determination is solid. No one and nothing can distract him from attaining his goal once he had set it.

But what I really admire about Manny is that he never forget where he came from, his humble beginnings. Whatever success he had attained in life, whatever stature in society he had achieved, he would always be the Manny that we know back in high school – a loyal friend, matulungin at laging maaasahan sa oras ng pangangailangan. I think ‘yung pagtulong sa kapwa laluna sa kagaya niyang lumaki sa hirap ay natural sa kanya. Because he knew how it feels to be poor. For Manny, he is dead serious about his campaign na tapusin ang kahirapan. Hindi lang pang media soundbites.

Those who were saying that Manny have no qualms spending his billions, donating houses and lots, buying his way to the presidency, etc. because he’ll get it back anyway (double or triple pa daw) once he becomes president – doesn’t really know the guy. Nasa puso talaga niya ang tumulong sa kapwa na walang inaasahang kapalit. Isusubo na lang niya, ibibigay pa niya sa nangangailangan. I remember this vividly.

‘Yang si Manny ang baon niya madalas dalawang pandesal na may palamang peanut butter o margarine na nilagyan ng asukal. Minsan recess namin nakita niya ‘ko na walang kinakain. He asked me kung may baon ako. Sabi ko wala. Sabi niya, “eto o, tig-isa tayo sa pandesal.” It’s true kaya alam ko kung ano ang palaman ng pandesal na baon niya.

One thing I can say about him is that kahit malayo na ang inabot niya sa buhay hindi pa rin siya nagbago. Sa mga high school reunions namin, ayaw niyang pinagsisilbihan siya. Ayaw niyang tawagin namin siyang senador. Matipid pa rin. Gusto niya hati-hati kami sa gastos. Pero ‘pag siya ang nag-imbita, sasabihin niya “sagot ko”.

That’s why I firmly believe that he would be a good president. He should become our next president. Because he knows the value of sacrifice, hard but honest labor. He believes that you must work hard to earn your lot, hindi pwedeng ibang tao ang gumawa at magtrabaho para sa ‘yo. Kailangan magbanat ng buto at magpatulo ng pawis. Magtiyaga at magsumikap para umasenso sa buhay. Ganyan ang vision niya para umunlad ang ating bayan at ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino.

He has great competence, experience, maturity and discipline derived from years of hard work. In business and in politics as well. He is a visionary and has a creative mind as proven by the success of his business ventures, starting from a gravel and sand business to being the leader in construction and real estate industry in the Philippines. But he is no Midas and has no pretension of being the Messiah or the personification of all that is good. He is simply a hard worker and a hands-on leader.

For all the economic woes, injustice and hardships our people suffer from decades of elite rule by the hacienderos and buena familias of old such as the Ayalas, Lopezes, Aranetas, Roxases, Madrigals, Cojuangcos, Aquinos, and the like, it is high time that we put in Malacanang a president that truly represents the poor.

On May 10, I will make sure that Manny Villar gets their vote.

* Mr. Manny Castro manages his own travel consultancy firm. He is an active member of Cardinals and Robins for Villar, a volunteer organization composed of former classmates of Sen. Manny Villar in Mapua Institute of Technology.