From relatively humble beginnings, the enterprising Manuel “Manny” Villar built a real estate empire with mass housing projects and cemeteries. He also went into politics, with a career that began in 1992 when he was elected congressional representative of Las Piñas-Muntinlupa. He then served three terms in Congress, followed by two terms in the Senate. All the while, his businesses continued to grow, such that by 2019, Villar was the Philippines’ single wealthiest individual, with billions of dollars to his name. Through the Vista Group, which includes Vista Land, Villar heads a wide range of residential subdivisions, condominiums, supermarkets, shopping malls, healthcare facilities and more.

Now, Villar’s Vista Land has become one of the largest integrated property developers in the Philippines. Within the last two years, projects that the real-estate magnate has been working include the Vista Estate, the Vista Land version of a township. Mixed-use projects comprising high-rise residential condominiums, office towers and commercial properties soon to rise all across the Philippines.

The pandemic lockdown has not slowed down the development projects of Vista Land, as Villar spearheaded the expansion into commercial retail and office developments. The Vista Mall properties comprise 32 shopping malls, 69 commercial centres and seven office properties with a combined gross floor area of 1.6 million square meters. Villar's ambitions extended to retail concepts, not content to focus on property development alone, such as their AllHome, AllDay, and Coffee Project. In every development, Villar promises to give an elevated, world-class experience of global standards—which he believes is what every Filipino deserves.

Overall, he sees the real estate and property sector of the Philippines poised for a strong recovery after the pandemic. Though there are many issues that need to be dealt with and serious challenges to be faced, there is hope and optimism that this sector will recover in time.