Misis Villar: Environmental issues are finally getting long-deserved attention

On Earth Day, former Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar said she is glad that the environment is now getting all the attention as she calls on more people to get actively involved in supporting and fighting for environmental causes.

“It is long delayed actually, but it is good that more and more people are becoming more aware and actively involved in environmental issues. Everyone’s help counts. This is a universal issue and human concern that transcends political leanings or even personal interests. We should all be in this together because this is the only Earth we got,” said Villar, managing director of Villar Foundation, which has numerous environment-related programs and projects.

On its 21st year, the Villar Foundation’s first project was tree-planting to alleviate the effects of climate change and to date, it has planted nearly a million trees. In 2002, it launched the Sagip Ilog program or the Las Piñas river rehabilitation program with the goal of cleaning up the river to address two major concerns:  the worsening flood problem in Las Piñas and to allow aquatic life to thrive anew.

To make those environmental projects more sustainable, Villar incorporated a livelihood component. “Most environment-related projects fail because the people involved are not committed enough and community involvement and commitment are critical factors in ensuring the success of any environmental rehabilitation and conservation program. There should be something in it for them,” she cited.

Thus, the birth of Villar’s green social enterprises or livelihood projects out of wastes and garbage such as water hyacinths and coconut husks from her river rehabilitation program.  Villar Foundation’s water hyacinth basket weaving enterprise, coconet weaving enterprise, organic fertilizer making enterprise, handloom blanket weaving enterprise, citronella oil-making enterprise, among others have benefited more than 500 families in Las Piñas.

The livelihood projects have also been duplicated in 179 municipalities and cities all over the country. “We have built pilot centers nationwide. So far, we have only covered a little over 10 percent of the 1,600 towns and cities in the Philippines. My goal is to have one livelihood project in each one of them,” said Villar.

Villar’s other environmental advocacy is her stance against the planned 635.14-hectare Manila Bay reclamation project that will affect the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), the most recent addition on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. She filed a petition for Writ of Kalikasan on March 16 against the said project, which the Supreme Court granted on April 10 last year. The writ of kalikasan was issued but not a temporary environmental protection order or TEPO—without a TEPO, the contractor can still proceed with the projects. The court decision on this is yet to be released, but the hearings at the Court of Appeals were finished.
 
“I am concerned about the catastrophic effects that the proposed Manila Bay reclamation project will bring about—including the damage to the bird sanctuary as well as to the mangrove forest and marine habitat. The worst of which, is that it will cause severe flooding in 37 barangays in Bacoor, 11 in Paranaque and 17 in Las Piñas. Floods with a depth of as much as 5.12 meters or equivalent to a two-storey high building,” cited Villar.
LPPCHEA serves as a sanctuary to migratory bird species from as far as Siberia. According to the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, Metro Manila has 150 species of birds, 72 of which are found at LPPCHEA. It is the only bird sanctuary located in an urban setting, thus it is considered as the ‘last bastion’. Because of its biodiversity, LPPCHEA was declared as a critical habitat in 2007 by Proclamation No. 1412.

According to Villar, environmental problems need both legislative support and practical solutions. As a congresswoman for 10 years, she has authored and pushed for the passage of environmental bills also. And if and when elected as senator, environment is still among her key legislative agenda.

Team PNoy in Villar’s bailiwick

Team PNoy senatorial candidates trooped to Las Pinas City to ask support of city officials and community leaders in a get-together hosted by Sen. Manny Villar and Misis Hanepbuhay Cynthia Villar.  Together with Team PNoy campaign manager Sen. Franklin Drilon and Las Pinas City officials led by Mayor Vergel Aguilar represented by wife, Imelda Aguilar, and Rep. Mark Villar (1^st and 5^th from left, respectively), senatoriable  Sonny Angara, Jamby Madrigal and Loren Legarda represented by her son, Leandro Legarda-Leviste, courted the Las Pineros for the coming elections. Also present but are not in photo were Sen. Koko Pimentel, Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Antonio Trillanes III, and Bam Aquino represented by wife, Timi Gomez-Aquino.

Misis Villar Receives Honoris Causa from Bataan Peninsula State University

Former Las Piñas Representative and Team PNoy senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar received an Honoris Causa in Doctor in Humanities from the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) during its recent commencement exercise where she was guest of honor and speaker.

In her acceptance speech, Villar said the recognition is ‘extra special’ since it was given by a state university in Bataan, the home province of Senator Manny Villar’s mother, Curita Bamba Villar or Nanay Curing, who hailed from Orani.

BPSU officials led by its President Delfin Magpantay conferred on Villar the honorary degree Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa.

“I am honored and happy to receive the honoris causa from Bataan Peninsula State University and to be invited as their commencement speaker. I always look forward to interacting with the youth and in my own way, give them inspiration and guidance as they start a new phase in their lives,” said Villar.

Villar, in her commencement speech, urged the more than 1,200 graduates of the Bataan Peninsula State University not to be discouraged by the unemployment and underemployment problems in the country but rather consider entrepreneurship as an option to merely seeking employment after graduation.

“There is always the option to go into entrepreneurship—to be an entrepreneur, to employ people instead of getting employed. In fact, I hope, many of you will aim to go the entrepreneurial way,” Villar told the graduates from the main campus of BPSU in Balanga City and branches in the towns of Abucay, Dinalupihan and Orani.

As an active advocate of entrepreneurship, Villar narrated to the graduates the success story of her family’s real estate business, which started as a small gravel and sand company. She cited that capital is not everything in business.

“When (Senator) Manny and I started our business in the 1970s, we only had P10,000. So we had to borrow P70,000 from a bank to buy two second-hand trucks that we used in delivering sand and gravel to construction companies. Then, Manny saw the potential of building small houses. We pursued our dream with hard work and persistence,” she added, citing entrepreneurship as a way out of poverty.

Villar was awarded by Go Negosyo as among the ‘The Women Entrepreneur Icons and Filipina Entrepreneurs of 2013’ during the 5th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit last month. As a congresswoman, Villar led the passage of bills that benefited entrepreneurs, among which was the Magna Carta of Micro-Enterprises and Republic Act 9178 or the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) Act.

Manila Coastal Bay Clean-up led by Misis Cynthia Villar

In consonance with the forthcoming Earth Day celebration, Team PNoy senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar yesterday led the clean-up drive at Manila Bay in the Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat & Eco-Tourism (LPPCHEA), which was recently included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, an intergovernmental treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

“We have to care and protect our environment. We have to repay Mother Earth for providing us all the necessary materials we need to survive,” stressed Villar.

The clean-up activity at Manila Bay which started 7 am yesterday, Villar said, is their simple way of saying “thank you,” and “demonstrating our love to Mother Earth.”

However, she stressed that “caring and loving” our environment should not only be done during the Earth Day celebration.

“Everyday of our lives, we should all strive to protect Mother Earth,’ said Villar who has earned the moniker “Misis HanepBuhay” for giving jobs to Filipinos.

Villar was joined by students and volunteers from various sectors in last Friday’s clean-up activity, which was followed by a tour along the stretch of LPPCHEA aboard a banca around 7:30 a.m.

The activity ended with a boodle fight, also led by Villar. The three-term Las Pinas congresswoman said she feels happy with the improvement at the LPPCHEA since there are lesser garbage being collected.

“We can attribute this to our consistent clean-up efforts,” said Villar.

The Villar Foundation, where she sits as Managing Director, together with students and other volunteers, also conduct weekly cleanups.

“The more partners we work with, the better it will be for the environment,” she said.

The Villar Foundation had earlier inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) represented by radio station DZRH in its Manila Bay Cleanup drive.

“The Villar Foundation and DZRH agree that this is not only a joint cooperative undertaking, but more importantly, it is a major public service activity that would help contribute to the promotion of a livable, healthier and ecological sustainable Manila Bay,” read the MoA.

Villar noted there is more reason to protect the 175-hectare LPPCHEA area after it was listed in Ramsar along with the world-renowned Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Underground River), both found in the Philippines.

“Ramsar has recognized LPPCHEA’s global importance to biodiversity and the need to give it special protection from various threats,” said Villar, adding that LPPCHEA is the so-called ‘last bastion’ in Metro Manila.

Based on Proclamation No. 1412, LPPCHEA is a critical habitat because to its global importance to biodiversity. It is a habitat for the survival of threatened, restricted-range and congregatory species.

But despite being a critical habitat, Villar lamented it faces threats of being reclaimed. In opposing the planned reclamation, Villar, a strong environmental advocate, noted that taking care of our environment will save us from disasters and calamities.

She maintains calamities would further burden the already poor Filipinos who are facing various problems due to difficult times.

Disasters like flooding, Villar said, can make one poorer if his properties are destroyed.

To avoid worst scenarios, Villar, who has earned the moniker “Misis Hanep Buhay” for giving jobs to Filipinos, underscored the need to clean our rivers, our creeks and other bodies of water especially Manila Bay.

“We can simply help protect the environment by not throwing our garbage into the sea, the rivers, the creeks. If we resort to indiscriminate throwing of garbages, these wastes will return to us during floodings. The garbages that we throw also caused massive floods,” warned Villar.

Misis Cynthia Villar vows to pursue Senator Manny Villar's Anti-No Permit, No Exam Policy

Misis Cynthia Villar vows to pursue Senator Manny Villar's
Anti-No Permit, No Exam Policy

FORMER Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar on has vowed to pursue the proposed measure filed by her husband, outgoing Senator Manny Villar, which prohibits colleges and universities from preventing students to take examinations over unpaid tuition and other school fees.

The former congresswoman, who is running for senator under the Nacionalista Party-Team PNoy,  said this will among her priorities in case she wins a senate seat in the coming May elections.

Sen. Villar belongs to the so-called “graduating senators” whose term of office ends in June 2013.

Sometimes in October 2011, Sen. Villar, a former House Speaker and Senate President, filed a bill to keep higher educational institutions from implementing “No permit, No Exam” policies, saying it amounts to depriving students the right to take examinations.

Villar’s bill, however, allows schools to withhold grades and clearances of students, and keep them from enrolling again until they settle their accounts.  But Villar’s bill was not passed in the Senate although it was referred to the Senate committee on education chaired by Senator Edgardo Angara. It’s counterpart bill was approved on third reading in the House of Representatives.

The senator’s wife, widely-known as “Misis Hanep Buhay,” said it is lamentable  this ‘unfortunate’ incident happened to a young “Iskolar ng Bayan” at UP Manila, who could  be the ‘key’ to take out of poverty  her parents and four younger siblings.
           
“Another life was wasted due to poverty,” said Villar who has also been advocating jobs for everybody to lead a comfortable life.

To avoid another case of Kristel Tejada, who committed suicide after she was forced to file a leave of absence (LOA) due to unpaid tuition fees,  former Rep. Villar also  underscored the need to revisit and  review the policies of our State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to which UP Manila belongs, and the other educational institutions in the country.

“What happened to Kristel is very regrettable especially since she was enrolled in a government-subsidized institution mandated to provide high quality  education to “poor but deserving” students. Just like other SUCs, UP has a regular annual appropriations from the national government. So it is necessary to look into the need to expand the government’s study and scholarship programs in SUCs. Do we need to give them additional budget so that  students like Kristel would no longer be burdened to cough up money for her tuition fees?” said she said.

She said there should also be a review of the SUCs policies for non-payment of tuition fees.

“Perhaps, it’s about time to review these policies,” she further stated.

She said Tejada’s suicide also showed the lack of  access to education in the country.

Imagine, Kristel, considered a “Iskolar ng Bayan,” being a student of UP, a state university, killed herself as she has no money to pay her tuitions fees. It’s indeed sad and a total dismay,” she added.

Senatorial Candidate Cynthia Villar appeals to respect decision of Supreme Court's 120 TRO on RH Law

Nacionalista Party-Team PNoy senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar on Tuesday called on everybody to observe sobriety with the Supreme Court’s decision to temporarily put on hold the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 or RA 10354.           

“We should respect the decision of the Supreme Court, being the highest court of the land. We should strictly adhere to the stay order on the RH law,” said Villar.

While the former congresswomen opposes the RH law, she, however, reminded the public that as law-abiding citizens, we should all follow the ruling of the High Court.

“Our justices have already spoken  about  the highly contentious law that divided our  the nation and our people,” she said.

“Let us just wait for the final decision of the High Court since this is just a temporary ruling,” she further said.

Voting 10-5, the High Court issued a status quo ante order for 120 days or four months on the implementation of RH law.

The Department of Health (DOH) had signed last Friday the Implementing Rules and Regulations  (IRR) for the RH law.

Misis Villar checks her livelihood projects in Pampanga

FORMER  Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar, who is running for senator under the Nacionalista Party-Team PNoy, yesterday visited the ‘katutubong kababaihan’ (Aetas) belonging to thousands of Filipinos who are beneficiaries of her livelihood projects.

            

Villar checked on the sustainability of the livelihood projects given to the Aetas from the towns of Porac, Mabalacat and Florida, Pampanga.

            

Popularly known as “Misis Hanep Buhay” due to her programs of giving opportunities to our countrymen, especially women,  to earn a living, Villar has been going around the country to share her livelihood projects.

            

Villar, who has consistently entered the “winning circle” of senators preferred by voters in the coming May elections based on  various election surveys, has obtained recognition from the United Nation for her livelihood projects from wastes.

            

In running for senator, the three-term congresswoman, said she wants to bring her  projects nationwide.

            

“Mas malawak ang maaabot ng aking mga proyekto kung ako’y magiging senador,”  assured Villar.

            

Even before she decided to run for senator, Villar has already handed six handloom equipment  for blanket making to these Aetas.

She  likewise helped them acquired the necessary training and skills needed for this particular livelihood project.

Together with Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, Villar handed certificates to the Aetas attesting to the fact that they have finished their training in blanket making.

Misis Hanepbuhay Cynthia Villar in Nueva Vizcaya

Thousands of Novo Vizcayanos showed support to Misis Hanepbuhay Cynthia Villar, who served as the guest of honor during the Women's Month Celebration of the Abot Palad Foundation, Inc. held in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya. Villar, who worked for legislations upholding the welfare and benefits of women during her three terms in Congress, said she is committed to empower women through her livelihood projects, which she hopes to replicate in 1,600 towns and cities nationwide. With Villar is Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla.

Cynthia Villar vows to empower women

Team PNoy senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar assured to help  empower Filipino women because 50 percent of our population are women and more than 50 percent of our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are also women.  

Speaking in yesterday’s celebration of the Women’s Month in Pampanga, Villar also divulged that 95 percent of the OFWs who were provided assistance by the Villar Foundation’s Sagip-OFW were women.

Villar, known as “Misis Hanep Buhay,” is the managing director of the Villar Foundation, which has been helping our OFWs from different countries in the past 20 years.

Some of these OFWs, Villar said, were maltreated by their employers, and worse, sexually abused and raped.

Because of this, Villar vowed she would not stop helping women and empowering them to become productive members of the society.

She remains thankful to Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and other local officials for inviting her  to the momentous event to recognize the important role being played by women.

“The women is the sector closest to my heart being a woman and a public servant,” stressed Villar.

She said it is always a pleasure for her to interact and be with her fellow women.

“As you know, I personally advocate for the empowerment of women across all sectors.  It is my belief that women play an important role in nation-building,” she said.  

“And I am happy that the leadership of Pampanga under Gov. Pineda share my love for women,” she further  said.

She said the country needs more empowered women because when “we empower women, we empower families and generations of people”.

She related that when she was congresswoman of the lone district of Las Pinas from 2001- 2010, she  prioritized legislations that uphold the welfare of women and family.

Among these pieces of legislations are the  Magna Carta of Women and the Anti-Violence against Women and Anti-Trafficking against Women and Children Law.

And as managing director of the Villar Foundation,  Villar said she has been pursuing programs that would redound to the benefit of women.

Her “Hanep Buhay” campaign slogan promises job opportunities for women through her livelihood projects.

“Nanininawala kasi ako na hanep ang buhay pag may hanapbuhay,” pointed out by “Misis Hanep Buhay.”

Senatoriable Cynthia Villar in Magic 12 in latest Pulse Asia Survey

TEAM PNoy senatorial candidate, former Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar Ranks  No. 4 in the latest Pulse Asia survey covering the period of February 24 to February 28, 2013.

The three-time congresswoman, who has gained the moniker “Misis Hanep Buhay” due to her programs giving jobs to poor Filipinos through her livelihood projects, was also No. 4 in the SWS  survey  last February 15 to 17.

Villar obtained 44.0 percent of votes in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

She thanked the Filipino people for their continuous support and trust and confidence in her programs and advocacies that she wants to bring on a national scope.

The results of various election surveys where she consistently belonged to the Top 12, Villar said, inspires her to work harder to convey her message to the people.

“Taos puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat, una-unang sa ating Panginoon sa patuloy na paggabay sa akin at sa lahat ng sumusuporta upang manatili ako sa Magic 12. Makaaasa po kayong lalo kong pagsusumikapang maiparating ang aking mensahe sa buong kapuluan,” stressed Villar who disclosed she feels very happy with the survey results.

Villar is also the managing director of the Villar Foundation which has been addressing the concerns of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) for the past 20 years.

The wife of former House Speaker and Senate President, Senator Manny Villar, assured to diligently do her ‘mandated’ duties if she becomes senator while strictly adhering to President Noynoy Aquino’s righteous path.

Villar calls appointment of 15-person TransCom as a “major leap for peace”

 Former congresswoman and senatorial candidate (Team PNoy-NP) Cynthia Villar welcomed as a “major leap for peace” the presidential appointment of 15 members to the Transition Commission (TransCom) that would help draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law as a vital step towards obtaining lasting peace in Mindanao. 

“It is both symbolic and appropriate that President Aquino decided to name the members of the 15-person Transition Commission on this historic day. We must harness the spirit and essence of people power in support of peace and development initiatives for Mindanao,” she said.
Villar said the Nacionalista Party fully supports the ongoing transformation of conflict-affected areas in Muslim Mindanao into havens of peace and development as a major thrust of the Aquino administration.

She said that the Transition Commission needs to begin its consultations right away and must make an effort to ensure an open, inclusive, and transparent approach in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Known as “Misis Hanepbuhay” the former congresswoman of Las Pinas City said that the Villar Foundation is willing to work with other NGOs and LGUs in promoting various livelihood projects in Mindanao.

“We all have to pitch in and accompany the peace process to its rightful conclusion because a peaceful and stable Mindanao has much to offer not just our country but the world,” Villar stressed.

Villar to improve Family Code

FORMER Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar, popularly known “Misis Hanep Buhay,”  vowed to push for a legislative measure to make amendments to our Family Code if  she wins a senate seat in the coming May elections.

“I am  not in favor of passing a divorce law. What I want is to propose changes to our Family Code to make it more adaptable to the problems of ordinary Filipino families,” said Villar who was a member of the House of Representatives for three terms or nine consecutive years.

Villar said she is running again, this time for senator, because she believes in the reform agenda of President Noynoy Aquino. She also wants to continue her advocacies, among them, the protection of women, children and the family, as the strongest institution of the country.

During his stint in the House as President of Lady Legislators , Villar had always worked for legislations upholding their  rights and welfare.

If she becomes senator, one particular focus of her amendments concern the case of  unjust abandonment by a husband of his wife and his children or analogous cases.

Villar stressed simple mechanisms should be adopted to obligate the husband to  continue  support to his family.

She said there should no longer be a need for a wife to file an action in court which entails a long and expensive litigation process just to get support for the family.

“This would definitely be an added burden to the woman who was abandoned by her husband. Imagine the anguish, mental and emotional, and the physical stress  that a wife  has to go through-- going to court while attending to the needs of their children, ” added Villar who was included by the University of the Philippines Los Banos it its “Exclusive List of Distinguished Women.”

Villar  received from UPLB the unique hibis flower (gumamela) that bears her name in 2011, the ‘Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Cynthia A. Villar.”'

The ‘Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Cynthia A. Villar' has dark orange petals. The flower with a red eye and pinkish halo is the latest hibiscus hybrid to become part of the “Women in Public Service Series.”

Villar was recognized for her invaluable contributions to her home city and country as a legislator and leader, a successful entrepreneur, environmental advocate and exemplary public citizen.

Villar, who described herself as “the loving wife”  of Senator Manny Villar, was a former House Speaker and Senate President, have been blessed with three children: Mark, Las PInas congressman; Paolo, a businessman and Camille, host of Wowowillie.

Villar is running for senator under the Nacionalista Party with the Team PNoy Coalition.

Cynthia Villar top 4 in SWS Survey

NP-Team PNoy senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar on Tuesday said she is  thankful for the encouraging result of the survey after she jumped to the No. 4 ranking from 8-9 in preference on senatorial candidates based on the latest survey by Social Weather Station (SWS) covering the period of February 15-17.

“This further encourages, energizes and inspires me to bring my message across through my advocacies and platform of continued service to more people,” said Villar who authored and sponsored several bills to protect the interests of women, children and the Filipino family during her stint as congresswoman for nine years.

Villar, popularly known as “Misis Hanep Buhay,” has been campaigning on her platform of providing jobs to the Filipino people especially women.

“I am happy that Filipinos appreciate my efforts to help them,” further stressed Villar, also managing director of  the Villar Foundation.

The Villar Foundation has been helping our distressed OFWs for the over 20 years.

Villar also thanked the public for the ‘vote of confidence’ and vowed not only to continue but hasten the delivery of livelihood projects to provides jobs  and augment the income of Filipino families.

Villar Bats for Creation of Dep't of OFW

 HAVING been exposed to all the troubles and maltreatment encountered by Overseas Filipino Workers in their quest for greener pasture, former Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar vowed to push for the creation of a separate department for Filipino migrant workers if elected senator.

Villar said she has learned about the various ‘harrowing ordeal’ suffered by our distraught workers being a three-time congresswoman and managing director of the Villar Foundation for the past 20 years.
 
“I even had the chance to personally talk to them during their arrival in the country since their repatriation is among our tasks of our Sagip OFW program under the Villar Foundaton,” noted Villar, popularly known as “Misis Hanep Buhay.”

The President of the the Lady Legislators in the House of Representatives in the 12th, 13th and 14th Congress said the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFW) which she intends to propose in the Senate, will centralize all the services and functions of concerned government agencies or bureaus for OFWs.

She said the creation of a department dedicated solely to OFWs would simplify and harmonize efforts to look after them when there is a crisis and secure their welfare and rights during normal times.
 
“This would also put an end to finger-pointing among government agencies involved in the evacuation and repatriation of our distressed OFWs especially those who ran away from their abusive employers, and those in conflict areas,” said Villar who is running for senator under the ticket of Team PNoy.

“We should promptly ensure that our OFWs are always protected since we consider them ‘modern day heroes.’ We draw a lifeline from their remittances being sent to the country. The dollar remittances provide a big boost to the country’s economy,” stressed Villar.

She related that her husband, Sen. Manny Villar, who served as House Speaker and Senate President had already filed a similar bill in the Senate, but it was not acted upon.
The senator had called for the establishment of a Cabinet-level agency exclusively for OFWs and their families at the height of the growing crisis in Syria. He said this would adequately and promptly address the needs of OFWs around the world.

Latest statistics from the Philippine Overseas Employment Association show we have over 2.2 billion OFWs in different parts of the world. 

Discover Love at First Bite with Pancit ni Mang Juan this Valentine’s

This Valentine’s season, Jack ‘n Jill stages a month-long festivity of music, romance and local food with its sampling series featuring Pinoy hit Pancit ni Mang Juan. After its successful run at LRT line 1, the event titled “Love at First Bite” once again encourages commuters to take part in a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s celebration from February 11 to 15 at the Cubao, Shaw and Ayala MRT stations and February 18 at the Santolan LRT station.

Whether with their significant others or in the company of good friends, Pinoys can fall in love with Pancit ni Mang Juan. Sampling booths will be set up in the stations where delectable Pancit ni Mang Juan will be served. Busy commuters can savor free Pancit ni Mang Juan in three uniquely Pinoy flavors: the irresistible Sweet & Spicy Pinoy BBQ, mouthwatering Tinapa with Calamansi, and the all-time classic Adobo.

And a Valentine celebration isn’t just the same without a sweet soundtrack to melt the heart. Music lovers are in for a special treat as Pancit ni Mang Juan stages a special OPM-filled dance performance to sweep them off their feet.

Aside from dishing out free samples and lively entertainment, Pancit ni Mang Juan also encourages commuters to share the love by taking home more Pancit ni Mang Juan with 3+1 bundle packs to be sold inside the stations.

So go where your heart and hunger take you and experience Love at First Bite this Valentine’s with Pancit ni Mang Juan!

DMCI Homes’ medical mission benefits more than 200 Parañaque families

More than 200 families from Barangay Sto. Nino, Paranaque City received free medical check-up, dental service and medicines during a recent medical mission in the area that property developer DMCI Homes sponsored.

“DMCI Homes has a long-standing good neighbor policy. When we do a project in a community, we also want a smooth relationship with the local government and its residents.” says Jan Venturanza, explaining why DMCI Homes sponsored the medical mission on Nov. 22.

The medical and dental mission was conducted at the barangay’s basketball court along Sampaguita Street and opposite the property where DMCI Homes is building the mid-rise residential community, Arista Place.

Local government officials led by Parañaque City Mayor Jun Bernabe, his son and Councilor Benjo Bernabe, and Sto. Nino barangay captain Ismael de Leon graced the event and thanked DMCI Homes, led by senior vice president for finance and operations Ramil Lombos and the city doctors and dentists who served mothers, babies, children and elders.

Councilor Bernabe says that with the partnership of the local government, city health office and DMCI Homes, public service has a wider reach.

“With this kind of partnership, the local government is able to serve more people because companies and NGOs shoulder the other needs of our constituents,” Bernabe says.

Barangay residents who came to the venue first registered to get their queue number. Doctors then separately examined mothers, babies and elders before prescribing medicines for them.

Meanwhile, dentists performed tooth extraction on adults and children. After the check-up and dental operation, the patients proceeded to the pharmacy table to get their free medicines.

Generic drugs distributor Generika, toothpaste-maker Lamoiyan Corp. and pharmaceutical firm Unilab were also DMCI Homes’ partners in the medical and dental mission.

Aside from providing free medicines, DMCI Homes provided meals for all the health workers and volunteers.

Venturanza says DMCI Homes will sponsor more CSR activities in other barangays where the company has residential communities that are either constructed or being constructed. The plan is part of Kaakbay, the new name of the company’s corporate social responsibility program that also includes housing, environmental, educational and cultural projects. One example of a Kaakbay environmental project is a Quezon City river that DMCI Homes adopted for rehabilitation, according to Venturanza. 

For housing, De Leon says DMCI Homes recently donated 100 homes for the joint housing project of Paranaque City government, Rotary Club and Gawad Kalinga in Barangay La Huerta. The housing project is the relocation site for poor residents living along the city’s river.

DMCI Homes turns over donated houses in Payatas

DMCI Homes formally turned over to beneficiary families 15 of 20 houses it donated to the Quezon City and Department of Education (DepEd) social housing project in Payatas called Bistekville I.
Mr. Tady Palma,  Secretary to Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs, Mr. Tonecito Umali and DMCI Homes Marketing Manager Jan Venturanza led the turnover ceremony highlighted by the blessing and ribbon-cutting of the houses along Molave Street. Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP) President and CEO Charlie S. Ayco, BPI Foundation Executive Director Randy G. Maranan, LBC Foundation President Monica G. Araneta, other public officials and home partners joined the rite. Fr. Orlando Norniella, parish priest at the Mother of Divine Providence, blessed the houses.

The 15 completed houses in Block 8 of Bistekville I were constructed with the help of HFHP, which organized the home beneficiaries and volunteers for the construction work. The remaining five sponsored homes of DMCI Homes still under construction in Block 9 will be turned over after completion in the first quarter of 2013.

DMCI Homes signed on March 26 a memorandum of agreement with HFHP to be a corporate partner and sponsor of the NGO’s “I Build Campaign.” Under the agreement, DMCI Homes donated P4 million to be used for construction materials for its house-building program. HFHP identified 20 of 145 homes in Bistekville I as the sponsored homes. The 15 home partners for the houses DMCI Homes sponsored were identified by the Urban Poor Affairs Office of Quezon City and HFHP.

Twenty-two families of teachers from the different public schools near Payatas and informal settler families in Quezon City moved into their new homes in Bistekville I in May. With the recent turnover of the newly-completed homes, there are now a total 86 homepartners for the Payatas housing project.

It was not the first time that DMCI Homes sponsored the construction of homes for informal settlers or urban poor. As part of its corporate social responsibility program and “good neighbor” policy, DMCI Homes joined the Paranaque City government, District 3830 Rotary Homes Foundation and CFC ANCOP Tekton Foundation in building homes in Barangay La Huerta for poor and informal settlers along the city’s river. The company donated P12 million, which was used to buy materials for constructing 92 homes in the 4.2-hectare relocation site along C5 Extension Road near the NAIA 1 runway. The site will eventually house 1,500 informal settler families.

DMCI Homes ensures quality backed with a 2-year warranty

DMCI Homes is a trusted brand of homebuyers not only for the beauty and benefits of homes and residential communities carrying its name but also for their impeccable quality. The Triple A property developer has its own quality program that ensures homebuyers are getting their investment’s worth while enjoying a good lifestyle.
DMCI Homes not only uses the best materials from trusted suppliers and rely on the track record of contractors for quality workmanship.

“Tests are done before we deliver each unit to make sure it meets the standards prior to the use of the homeowners,” says Josephine C. Isidro, head of DMCI Homes’ Quality Management Department.

Isidro is referring to the proprietary 102-point inspection of the company from design, construction to turnover. Based on national standards and industry practices, the inspection consists of two stages. A specific number of tests are done for the in-process inspection and another set of tests is for testing and commissioning.

“In condo buildings, individual units share walls, lines, pipes, and so on. Future repair and maintenance concerns may therefore affect not just one unit, but potentially all units in a building. Since we value privacy and exclusivity in all our projects, we want to minimize disruptions or disturbances to residents and their neighbors due to such concerns”, Isidro adds.

“This is why our quality system not only checks individual units, but also how each unit behaves in building-wide scenarios. This ensures that the units we deliver are field-tested for actual use.”

Isidro notes that the company buyer’s guide indicates a two-year limited warranty for workmanship issues. It is a common practice in the industry to offer a one-year warranty only. The warranty covers all unit deliverables such as paints, kitchen cabinets and countertops except operable items that are subject to wear and tear due to daily use such as faucets and door knobs.

Assuring the quality of DMCI Homes residential units and communities is its engineering and construction arm DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI). DMCI has almost 60 years of experience in constructing houses, factories, hotels, resorts, hospitals and office towers. DMCI Homes encourages its own employees to improve the quality of every residential community and condominium projects.

“Internal Quality awards are given to recognize effort and to continue to inspire to keep doing a good job in making sure the standards are met or exceeded. It is done to motivate the employees,” says Isidro.

The company gives a special award for improvement on quarterly performance, responsiveness for not repeating errors, and compliance consciousness. There is also a quality award covering quality assurance, quality control and records management. Award winners are chosen after an internal evaluation and they are given cash prize and token.

DMCI Homes counts among its developments subdivisions, high-rise and mid-rise condominiums and leisure communities. All bear the hallmarks of the company’s highest quality standards.

Hunt’s Pork & Beans, Pan de Manila come together to give Pinoys ‘Sweet Mornings’ this Christmas

Start your cool December days on a yummy note with “Sweet Mornings”, from Hunt’s Pork & Beans and Pan de Manila.

This special promo gives customers a free 100g pouch of Hunt’s Pork & Beans with every purchase of a dozen big pandesal at any Pan de Manila branch. The all-time favorite Filipino bread is made more nutritious with protein-rich pork and beans, which has lycopene that’s good for the heart. With Pan de Manila’s old-fashioned, pandesal and delicious Hunt’s Pork & Beans, busy shoppers can now have more energy to take on the holidays.

Available in pouch format, Hunts Pork & Beans is made more convenient to carry and easier to prepare, perfect for people who are on-the-go. For a sumptuous Christmas breakfast with friends and loved ones, Hunt’s Pork & Beans is also available in a 230g pouch that is perfect for sharing.

Christmas mornings just got better with Hunt’s Pork & Beans and Pan de Manila with the “Sweet Mornings” promo. Try the deliciously healthy combo today and enjoy a hearty breakfast meal that’s filling and satisfying for the holidays. The “Sweet Mornings” promo is ongoing throughout December.

GBF, AGAPP mold more young minds in education partnership

The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) recently turned over eight additional classrooms in four sites, as part of the Silid Pangarap program of Aklat, Gabay, Aruga tungo sa Pag-Angat at Pag-Asa (AGAPP).

Since October 2011, 18 pre-school classrooms in nine sites have already been turned over to pre-school beneficiaries—the most recent of which are in: Cabu Elementary School in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; Macabalan Elementary School in Cagayan de Oro; Puerto Elementary Sschool in Cagayan de Oro; and Tagumpay Elementary School in Palawan. Ten classrooms in five sites are already winding down construction and will be turned over soon.

GBF’s assistance does not only cover the building of classrooms but also encompasses the training of pre-school teachers, and providing them the necessary teaching tools to help their pupils be more competitive.

“We are so glad to have gone this far, especially with the help of GBF,” said Pinky Aquino Abellada, AGAPP chairperson. “We hope to help more Filipino families give their children a chance to have a brighter future.”

“We got involved in AGAPP’s Silid Pangarap project because of its noble cause – helping students have a shot at a better life through education. We are very thankful for the chance to be part of this endeavor of helping build futures, one classroom at a time,” said Lance Gokongwei, JG Summit Holdings Inc President and COO, and GBF Treasurer.

The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation was established in 1992 with the purpose of improving the socio-economic condition of Filipinos through educational programs. Apart from the partnership with AGAPP, the Foundation’s other endeavors include the GBF Technical Training Center and GBF Scholarship for Excellence.