Photo credit: Manny Villar

Manuel "Manny" Villar, the Philippines’ richest man, has once again proven that wealth isn’t just about numbers—it's about purpose. Forbes Asia has recognized Villar in its 18th annual Asia's Heroes of Philanthropy list, highlighting his generous contributions to causes close to his heart: faith and education.

In October, the real estate tycoon and chairman of Vista Land & Lifescapes donated a whopping ₱615 million (about $10.4 million) to build a church and school in Provence, one of his company's residential communities located about 40 kilometers north of Manila. The gift consisted of 1.2 hectares of land—valued at ₱613 million—and additional cash to kickstart the project.

The church, located in Malolos, Bulacan, is set to become a beautiful cornerstone of the community, with seating for around 320 people in a 500-square-meter space. The adjacent school is still in the planning stages, but the vision is clear: build places where both faith and education can thrive. "It has always been my belief that communities flourish when faith and education are at their center," Villar shared in a statement.

This isn’t Villar’s first major act of philanthropy. Back in 2019, he donated over 2 hectares of land to Manila’s Saint Jude Catholic School and completed a massive 5-hectare donation to the University of the Philippines, his beloved alma mater. Together, those gifts were valued at a staggering ₱8 billion. Villar also helped fund new facilities at four other schools across the Philippines.

With an estimated net worth of $17.3 billion, Villar is known not only as a business leader but as a man who gives back to the roots that shaped him.

Forbes Asia’s list celebrates individuals across the region who’ve gone above and beyond in their philanthropic efforts. Villar’s latest contribution proves that success, when paired with purpose, creates lasting impact—one church, one school, and one community at a time.