Villar’s ma cries foul, tells son to be strong

Posted on | April 27, 2010 | No Comments

“It pains and it almost kills.”

This was the reaction of the 86-year-old blind mother of Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Manny Villar amid the vicious attacks hurled against her son by his political opponents and critics, the latest of which was that the senator did not come from poverty.

“Nasasaktan ako sa pinagsasabi nila laban sa anak ko na halos ikamatay ko…… halos ikamatay ko,” Curita “Nanay Curing” Bamba Villar told reporters during a press conference at her home in Las Piñas.

She broke down in tears for a while that nearly called off the press conference.

“Talaga pong galing kami sa hirap,” Nanay Curing said.

She even challenged those questioning Villar’s poor origins to go to their former stall at Divisoria market. She gave the number of the stall as “2245.”

“Kasama ko po ang aking anak na si Manny Villar na nagtitinda. Halos ayaw po kaming bigyan ng isda kasi gusto nila cash nang cash e wala naman akong cash. Kaya kung minsan, ayaw nila akong bigyan pag walang cash,” Nanay Curing said.

The wheel-chair bound mother of Villar was teary-eyed as she recounted the difficulties they endured while she and Manny, who was then only nine years old, were working at the marketplace.

When asked why she agreed to face media, Nanay Curing said, “Kasi aping-api na ang anak ko.”

She said Manny’s sisters and brothers were also hurt by the endless lies coming from the NP standard-bearer’s foes.

“Ayaw daw nilang maniwala sa sinasabi ni Manny. Kahit ano daw sabihin ni Manny, ayaw maniwala. Akala nila, nagsasalbahe ang anak ko,” said Nanay Curita as she pleaded God to guide her son and the Virgin Mary to be the witness.

Nanay Curing said they have already suffered in the past and she does not want to see her son suffer again.

Despite the attacks, she said her son is determined to pursue his dream of winning the presidency.

“Sabi niya sa akin, tutulong daw siya sa mahihirap dahil damang-damang daw niya ang hirap ng mahihirap. Yong pinanggalingan niya, damang-dama niya kaya gusto niya makatulong sa mahihirap para makaahon sa hirap,” Nanay Curing said.

Nanay Curing, clad in orange duster, stays in a modest house at BF Resort in Las Piñas City where old family photographs are displayed in the living room.

Meanwhile, Villar’s sister Gloria Benedicto became emotional when a reporter asked the possibility that they (the Villars) might be criticized for using their mother in the campaign of the senator.

“Sino bang unang nanggamit? Lahat ng posters niya (Aquino), nandoon ang nanay (Cory) at tatay (Ninoy) niya. So kami ngayon lang lumilitaw dahil sobra na, personal na ang inaano nila sa amin. Sobra na sila,” said Benedicto.

She asked critics that before they throw mud, they should first see their faces in the mirror.

Villar’s sister pointed out that the members of the family live a simple life, adding: “Kung maaari nga lang hindi kami lumalabas. Ni wala ngang nakakakilala sa amin. Talagang kung ano lang ang nakikita nyo, yon kami, yon ang katotohanan.” #

April 26, 2010

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