Emulating Aurora Quezon: Camille Villar vows to serve Filipinos with a heart

Camille Villar with other officials

MANILA, Philippines – Camille Villar paid tribute to the late Doña Aurora Quezon, wife of former President Manuel Quezon, for her love for country and her humanitarian spirit during the 46th Founding Anniversary of Aurora province on Wednesday.

Villar recognized how the Doña Aurora inspired many Filipinos, through her work as the first president of the Philippine National Red Cross.

Doña Aurora was an epitome of women empowerment, especially during her time, Villar noted. While she stayed in the background as a first lady, she espoused many causes even after President Quezon’s death, so fiercedly, that she sacrificed her life for the people.

“Ngayong araw din ay ginugunita natin ang birth anniversary ng isa sa aking mga hinahangaang personalidad sa ating kasaysayan, si Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon, na nagpakita sa atin ng lakas nating mga kababaihan— kung saan nakilala siya sa kanyang humanitarianism at pagtulong sa kapwa at sa mga nangangailangan,” Villar said.

As a young leader at 40, Villar cannot help but compare how her parents also molded her into helping the needy as also shown by the late Doña Aurora during her heyday.

“Ang pagtulong at malasakit sa kapwa,natutunan natin kay Doña Aurora, the same value I learned from my parents, Villar said, referring to Senate President Manny Villar and Sen. Cynthia Villar.

“Natutunan ko din sa kanila, ang pagmamahal sa pamilya, pagtulong sa kapwa at lalo na ang pagkakaroon ng sipag at tiyaga. Sila po ang aking inspirasyon sa buhay at maging sa paglilingkod sa bayan,” she said.

“Kaya nga, nais ko pong ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pangarap sa bayan at pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan,” added Camille Villar, who is running for the Senate under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas this coming May 2025 elections.

As she joined Aurora for its 2nd Pasidayaw Festival this year, Villar said the province’s celebration of culture, heritage and faith also reflected its people’s spirit of unity.

“Kasabay nga ngayon na sine-celebrate niyo din ang Pasidayaw Festival, kitang-kita nabuhay na buhay ang inyong spirit of unity at pagkilala sa inyong tradisyon ng agrikultura at kasaysayan,” she said in a speech.

The Pasidayaw Festival marks the sharing of bountiful harvests from the land and the waters, and a new beginning with the break of dawn (bukang liwayway).