Property magnate Manuel Villar Jr. has once again earned a spot in Forbes Asia’s prestigious Heroes of Philanthropy list, thanks to his generous P615 million donation for a church and school project in Provence, a master-planned community in Malolos, Bulacan. The estate, developed by his company Vista Land & Lifescapes, draws inspiration from the vibrant lifestyle of Southeastern France.
The donation will fund the construction of a church with a seating capacity for 320 people, along with a school that is still in the planning stages. The church, occupying 500 square meters, broke ground last month. Villar, who has long championed the importance of faith and education in community development, shared that “communities flourish when faith and education are at [their] center.”
A History of Giving Back
This is not the first time Villar has been recognized for his philanthropy. In 2020, he was named to the Heroes of Philanthropy list for donating P8 billion (around $165 million) in land to two educational institutions: Saint Jude Catholic School and the University of the Philippines. His support for education, coupled with his commitment to improving communities through faith-based initiatives, has made a lasting impact in the Philippines.
Villar's Continued Business Success
Villar, who chairs Vista Land & Lifescapes, has built a reputation as one of the Philippines’ top businessmen. In 2024, he was ranked 190th on Forbes’ global list of billionaires, with an estimated net worth of $11 billion. His business empire spans residential developments, commercial centers, and leisure facilities. His family also plays an active role in public service, with his wife Cynthia and son Mark serving as senators, and his daughter Camille in the House of Representatives.
