By Vic Sevilla
Often seen in public in stunning evening dresses, not a strand of hair out of place, and smiling, if a bit coyly, for the camera, Elaine Villar is grace and elegance personified. Not surprisingly, she was named as one of Manila’s Best Dressed in 2012 and, in the following year, was selected as one of Philippines Best Dressed and Style Icon. Currently, she is a member of the Selection and Organizing Committee of the Philippine Cancer Society’s (PCS) Best Dressed Women of the Philippines. Certainly no small feat for somebody, who describes herself as “a simple person.”
In the face of other overwhelming concerns—such as poverty, global warming and natural calamities—besetting the nation, it is not at all unusual for the general public to have a “love-hate” relationship with fashion. The style-conscious may be enamored with—and even inspired by—designer labels, who’s wearing who, and what’s trending, while those not interested see it as mere fluff. Fashion rebels, on the other hand, dismiss it altogether with derision.
Elaine, however, considers fashion as a means to communicate one’s essence and substance. She asserts, “Good grooming and style is important as it projects one’s persona, especially when it is for a good cause.
The Philippine Cancer Society’s Best Dressed Women of the Philippines is the organization that holds events to raise funds for its endeavors, assisting cancer treatment to the less privileged.”
For some time now, Elaine continues to support various causes—a passion she imbibed from her mother, the ardent civic leader Rosario “Charing” Rojas Villar. The elder Villar held key positions in more than 50 civic and noncivic organizations, including the National Federation of Women’s Club, Caritas Manila, Catholic Women’s League and spearheaded countless projects.
“My mother instilled in us the values of sharing and helping others. She would wake up early in the morning to attend to her various organizations, planning feeding programs, medical missions and fundraising activities. To date and at 90, she continues to support most of these organizations,” she says.
Mrs. Villar was the first female director to the Men’s Board of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, and was the president of the Ladies’ Chapter of the Canlubang Golf and Country Club. “She was a dynamic and go-getting individual, who never turned her back on a challenge. To this day, I haven’t quite figured out how she did everything and made it look effortless,” Elaine says. It is her mother, too, who taught Elaine and her siblings the importance of diligence and honest labor. The family owned one of the pioneering record companies in the country.
Recalls Elaine, “Yes, we did go on short summer vacations while growing up, but, most of the time, my siblings and I were assigned to do various tasks in the company. I remember particularly sorting out the sleeves of the 45s and the long-playing vinyl albums and putting in the records.”
“My mother saw to it that we did these chores to the best of our ability,” Elaine says, adding, “I guess my parents wanted us to be involved with the operations of the company, so that we would learn to love it.”
Today, as the executive vice president for finance of the LR Villar Group of Companies, this seemingly wispy and delicate woman has the gargantuan task of implementing policies and programs, and initiating strategies to ensure the steady growth of the company, among other essential responsibilities.
Yet, despite her many undertakings, Elaine pursues her spiritual duties with uncommon zeal and dedication. Years ago, she almost succumbed to a painful condition, had it not been for a doctor’s quick thinking, and a rosary and prayer from Our Lady of Manaoag Chapel in Sampaloc, Manila.
A ruptured appendix was threatening to poison her system and, throughout the emergency operation, Elaine kept the rosary and prayer in her hand—fastened tightly by adhesive tape.
It was actually her brother, Louie, who first asked her to visit the chapel. But, from then on, Elaine became a devotee. She would decorate the altar three times a year to show her gratitude for the second lease on life. She is also an active donor and benefactor at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Naval in Santo Domingo Church, the National Shrine of our Lady of Lourdes in Quezon City, and the National Shrine of our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan.
How does Elaine stay looking good in the face of her myriad activities? “I do not exercise, but I watch what I eat,” she admits with a smile. “I prefer simple with little feminine details in my clothes.”
Elaine finds designer Eddie Baddeo’s aesthetic suitable for her personality and taste. “I love how he uses fabrics to create a look that makes heads turn. It could be the combination of colors, or a subtle twist in the cut, or the little details he puts in—but it always comes out stunning,” Elaine says.
In an audacious turn, Baddeo takes apart a vintage evening ensemble from Mrs. Charing Villar’s closet and reconstructs it into a figure-hugging cocktail dress for Elaine.
“I love how he puts in innovative details into a classic silhouette to create a look that’s timeless but fresh. And that pretty much sums up my own philosophy in life: one has to keep evolving while staying true to what’s essential,” she says.
fashion EDDIE BADDEO
photography REY ORTIZ
image styling ERIC MANINGAT
art direction EARL CRISOSTOMO
venue The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy
Rosary La Naval de Manila in Santo Domingo Church, Quezon City (with special thanks to Fr. Guiseppe Pietro Arsciwals, OP-Prior of Sto. Domingo Convent, and the whole staff of the shrine)