Manuel Villar Jr. is a Filipino businessman, politician, and philanthropist who founded Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., one of the largest homebuilders in the Philippines. He was born on December 13, 1949, in Moriones, Tondo, Manila, Philippines.
After completing his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines, Villar started his career as an accountant in the Philippines. Later, he pursued his MBA from the University of Chicago.
In 1975, Villar founded the Villar Group of Companies, which initially focused on building affordable housing projects. Over the years, the company diversified into various businesses such as shopping malls, condominiums, hotels, and resorts.
In 2007, Villar took Vista Land public and listed it on the Philippine Stock Exchange. As of 2021, Vista Land has a market capitalization of over $1.5 billion and is one of the top 30 companies on the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Under Villar's leadership, Vista Land has become one of the leading real estate developers in the Philippines, with a focus on providing affordable housing to the middle-income segment of the population. The company has built over 400,000 homes across the country and operates a wide range of housing brands, including Camella Homes, Crown Asia, Brittany, Vista Residences, and Vista Land International.
Apart from his business ventures, Villar is also active in politics. He served as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives from 1992 to 2001, and as a Senator from 2001 to 2013. In 2009, he ran for President of the Philippines, but lost to Benigno Aquino III.
Villar is also a well-known philanthropist and is involved in various charitable activities through the Villar Foundation, which focuses on sustainable livelihood, education, health, and environmental conservation.
In addition to his business, political, and philanthropic activities, Villar has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in 2018 and the Outstanding Filipino-American Award in 2019.
Under Villar's leadership, Vista Land & Lifescapes has become one of the most successful real estate companies in the Philippines. The company specializes in building affordable housing developments, catering to the middle-income market. Its flagship brand, Camella Homes, is the largest homebuilder in the country, with over 400,000 houses sold since its inception.
Aside from Camella Homes, Vista Land & Lifescapes also owns and operates other real estate brands, including Brittany Corporation, Crown Asia, and Vista Residences. The company also has several shopping mall projects, including Evia Lifestyle Center in Las Piñas and AllDay Supermarkets, a chain of grocery stores.
Apart from his business ventures, Villar is also known for his philanthropy. He and his wife, Senator Cynthia Villar, have established several foundations that focus on poverty reduction, healthcare, and education. These include the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG), which provides skills training and livelihood programs to underserved communities, and the Villar Foundation, which supports environmental conservation and rehabilitation efforts.
Villar is also a member of various business organizations, including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Makati Business Club. He has also served as the chairman of the Senate Committees on Finance and Public Works and Highways during his tenure as a senator.
In 2020, Villar was included in Forbes' list of World's Billionaires, ranking 286th with a net worth of $5.6 billion. He was also named the richest person in the Philippines for the third consecutive year.