Papa Manny in the eyes of Camille

Curtain-raiser:

• Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos has given her final answer: It’s a big no to run in 2010 as Gibo Teodoro’s running-mate. She said there has never been any offer. Besides, she added that she’s focused on running for re-election and she’s not prepared to run for a higher position. I know Vilma to be a lady with a word of honor unlike some people we know who says one thing and does the opposite. Therefore, if Vilma changes her mind, the Batangueños (whom she fondly calls “my constituents”) might call her, well, “a liar.”

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Potential First Daughter Camille Villar sat with the movie press the other day to announce the concert (admission is free) Rockatropa set for tomorrow (Sept. 26) night at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) concert grounds, hosted by Cristine Reyes and Valerie Concepcion and featuring Bamboo, Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Sandwich and Itchyworms.

Very clearly, Sen./Presidentiable Manny Villar’s unica hija is in-charge of mobilizing the youth sector during the 2010 campaign.

“I am young, too, and I know the pulse of the youth,” said Camille, 24. “My dad decided to hold the concert so he can reach out to the young and inspire them with his life story, how he rose from poverty. But most importantly, Rockatropa will launch (the Nacionalista Party’s) BDABOSS (Be The Boss), a youth entrepreneurial campaign. Bibigyan niya ng pondo ang mga kabataang may magandang business ideas. We want to empower the youth. Basically, my dad just wants to have fun; gusto niya makapiling ang kabataan at makisaya kasama nila.”

The movie press then asked Camille (who has two older brothers, Mark and Paolo) how Sen. Manny is as a father and what the youth can learn from him.

“Sobrang bait,” said Camille. “I’m his favorite daughter,” adding with a laugh, “being the only daughter. He’s very malambing and very caring. It doesn’t matter how big his own problems are, but when we children have problems he’s always there for us. I think being a father is one of the things he’s proud of kasi buo ang pamilya namin, maayos niya kaming pinalaki. He taught us to live simply.”

That’s one side of him that Sen. Manny will be telling the youth at the Rockatropa concert.

“And he’s faithful,” added Camille, “both to us and to our mom (Rep. Cynthia Villar). He’s basically a family man. Sabi niya, sobrang complicated na ang political life niya, pati business minsan magulo, so he always has our family to fall back on. Gustong-gusto niyang kasama kami and he always makes time for us.”

Is Sen. Manny picky with food?

“He likes street food kasi ‘yon ang kinalakihan niya. Batang Tondo ‘yan, eh. Sanay sa hirap. He likes all kinds of saging, especially saging na saba — turon, nilagang saba, bananacue, all of them. He likes peanuts, corn, tamalis, siopao, mooncake. His favorite dish is tilapia, dati fried but now steamed na lang. Naging favorite din namin ang tilapia because of him. Hindi siya sanay sa beef. He used to sell shrimps in the market and that’s also his favorite, shrimps.”

Would he be happy having dinner at, say, Le Cirque?

“I doubt it,” laughed Camille. “Ayaw niya ng fancy dinner. Maiilang siya doon.”

Those casual-dressing (denims and tees) crowd in tomorrow’s Rockatropa can easily identify with Sen. Manny who shuns designer clothes not because he can’t afford them but because he’s used to wearing “cheap” ones.

“Hindi siya pihikan sa damit. We shop together. He buys simple clothes, ‘yung hindi mahal.”

Told that her dad doesn’t seem to get angry, cool as a cucumber and gracious under pressure, Camille begged off.

“Marunong din siyang magalit, especially when he is hit below the belt...kapag pagkatao na niya ang nasisira because of lies. I know dad. Ayaw niyang nakikipag-away. He finds it a waste of time; he wants to be productive rather than away nang away na wala namang nari-resolve. In general, he’s a steady and cool person; he is in public what he is at home — cool. My mom is the disciplinarian and my dad, well, he’s just, you know, calm and collected.”

So how do they know that their dad is already angry?

“Hindi na siya nagsasalita,” Camille laughed. “Kapag tumatahimik na siya. That’s when we start to behave. Pero hindi siya nagfri-freak out or anything like that.”

Does he spare the rod and spoil the children?

“He doesn’t have to. Behaved kami. He never fails to remind us what his own mom, our Lola, always tells him, ‘Don’t forget where you come from’. Even now that we can afford it, he doesn’t spoil us with money or material things. Luckily, we don’t derive much pleasure or happiness from material things. We are thankful that we are a happy family and our parents sent us to the best schools.”

There’s a ha-ha-ha rumor that Wowowee host Willie Revillame is “eyeing” her as a potential, well, girlfriend. Totoo ba ang tsismis? (Willie has a “harmless” habit of insinuating that he might court this and that girl, including Gloria Diaz’s daughter Isabelle who starred with him in his music video and — what!?! — Lorna Tolentino who thought that the little gifts Willie has been sending her were, you know, mere tokens of friendship and not paramdam for something more serious.)

“It’s funny!” said Camille.

Asked what her “type” is, she smiled.

“Somebody like my dad. It’s hard to find one like him or ‘yung katulad ng mga kuya ko.”

Join the Rockatropa tomorrow and, while enjoying the rock bands, learn more about Sen. Manny and his family.

(Note: To get free tickets to Rockatropa, log on to “Akala Mo” [http://www.akalamo.com] and click on to “Get Your Ticket” link in the Rockatropa ad. Answer five questions and click on the “Register” button. A message will then appear containing the ticket. Print the ticket and present it to the registration booth to gain entrance. Tickets will also be given on-site. Registration starts at 4 p.m.)

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