DUMAGUETE – Camille Villar has taken to heart the initiative to look into the welfare of small businesses during her market tour at the Dumaguete Public Market at Poblacion 3 here on Thursday.

Villar said she cannot help but remember the lessons imparted to her by her father, former Senate President Manny Villar on “sipag at tiyaga” (hardwork and perseverance) during her market visit.

In her interaction with the market vendors, she noted how these values of “sipag at tiyaga” molded her in her 15 years of experience in business and public service.

“Ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat yung sapat nakita, magandang trabaho, at hanapbuhay. Dahil ‘yan talaga ang susi sa pag-asenso natin sa buhay at pag-asenso ng ating bayan,” said Camille, recalling that how her father was able to rise above poverty as he started young by helping her grandmother, Nanay Curing, who was a seafood vendor in Divisoria Market.

Camille Villar also vowed to continue focusing on helping young entrepreneurs and push for projects that create jobs once she is elected into the Senate this coming May elections.

After the market tour, the young Villar is set to join her fellow senatorial bets in the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in a press conference and the proclamation rally at the Mariano Perdices Memorial Coliseum. (DANNY BACOLOD)