By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)
MANILA, Philippines - For Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., the day starts at 6 a.m. with a mug of black coffee before getting on the treadmill for 30 minutes at their high-end condominium in Makati City.
He tries to work out at least three to four times a week despite a hectic schedule.
Onthe treadmill, he would surf the Bloomberg and CNN channels for the latest news on stocks and the economy on a huge LCD television.
If there’s still time, Villar reads the newspapers before joining his family for breakfast.
“If his children are there, they will eat breakfast together, share light moments and update each other,” said one of his staff.
Villar hits the road by 7 a.m. to go to appointments and meetings. And since it is campaign season, he goes to the provinces to meet his political leaders. Last week, he and his partymates began the campaign in Laguna and Cavite.
If there are no scheduled lunch meetings, he calls his wife or children to be able to spend some quality time with them.
“I notice that I have been eating extravagant food, so I look for spartan meal. Maybe steamed vegetables, I balance it so I can eat good food, too,” he said.
A packed lunch is usually prepared for him, which his aides bring along to make sure he does not skip meals.
He likes tilapia, whether as paksiw or cooked another way. He also takes Vitamin C and multi-vitamins to boost his immune system, and Lipitor, to control his cholesterol level.
During his free time, he takes in a movie with his family. The last movie he watched was “Avatar” at the IMAX theater.
Asked if he watches pirated DVDs, Villar said: “I just don’t ask,” eliciting laughter from the editors, columnists and deskmen.
In his SUV, he listens to Frank Sinatra and Linda Ronstadt. His favorite song, “That’s Life,” is also on his iPod Touch which has a thousand songs. He also takes catnaps inside his van.
He used to play tennis when he had the time. He likes art and has a collection of Amorsolo paintings at their residence in Las Piñas, now a weekend family retreat.
Loving husband
He was in Hong Kong last Valentine’s Day weekend with his wife, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar.
Asked about extra-marital affairs and children with other women, Villar said: “No. I have only one wife. Three children. Period. No complications.”
On his sex life: “It’s okay. I am happy with what I have now. I don’t complain.”
Villar explains that love does not need to be expressed through expensive gifts but on being able to spend time with wife and family.
Villar said he makes it a point that the family spends holidays and special occasions together here or abroad. “Since my eldest was born, we have never missed Christmas or New Year together.”
Nanay Curing
Despite his busy schedule, Villar always find time Sundays to see his mother, 86-year-old Nanay Curing, and his siblings and their respective families.
He laments that Nanay Curing, who tends her sari-sari store, lost her sight last year, adding that he had gone to many eye experts but his mother’s eye problems could not be reversed.
Like any regular Filipino family get-together, the Villars’ would not be complete without singing, not with karaoke but with actual musicians on organ and guitar.
All the siblings and their families gather at their mother’s place, and take turns singing to and with her, and telling stories.
“Very simple lang,” brother Jojo said, that you wouldn’t know one of them was running for president.
Villar often sings duets of old songs with his mother, but when he does solos, he chooses Sinatra songs.
Villar’s sisters Vicky, Baby and Cecille live in the same vicinity as Nanay Curing in BF Homes, Las Piñas. There are nine Villar siblings, though three brothers have died.
Family man
If there is one thing that Villar holds dear, it is strong family ties, which cannot be bought with money.
If his options in life were limited to two – presidency or family -Villar said he would choose family.
Villar has said that there is no price tag on his dream to help alleviate the lives of the poor, and that he is lucky to have a very supportive family who joins him in this vision.
“We have internalized this, to save the poor and bring them out of poverty. It’s not just a slogan,” Villar said.
When his political career was in the crosshairs of a road controversy, Villar relied on his family for strength, especially youngest daughter Camille.
Unfazed by his detractors’ allegations, Villar, clad in his political color orange, said he is not callous, hardheaded or shrewd as portrayed by his enemies.
“We are partners together with Paolo and Mark and even Camille, my youngest. I was lucky because my wife and I are partners, and now the entire family is like a team along with our professional managers who have somewhat become our family members,” said the 60-year-old senator.
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