Filipino businessman and politician ranks 14th of the Philippine Richest

Born December 13, 1949. A Filipino businessman and politician. He is formerly a Philippine Senator, and the incumbent president of the Nacionalista Party.

Manuel Villar
Net Worth: $1.5 Billion
As of August 2014

Age 64
Source Of Wealth: Real estate
Residence: Philippines
Citizenship: Philippines
Marital Status: Married
Children 3

As a kid, helped mom sell seafood in Manila market. Studied hard, became financial analyst. Saved 10,000 pesos to start company. His publicly traded Starmalls up big (see intro). Another gainer: mansion builder Vista Land & Lifescapes, run by his son, Paolo. Active in politics. Current senator. Onetime presidential candidate.

Source: Forbes

Villar was born to a poor family in Tondo, an impoverished and densely populated district of Manila.[1][2][3][4][5] After graduating from the University of the Philippines, he worked as an accountant and financial analyst, then launched a highly successful business in real estate. The number of homes built by Villar's companies has totaled to over 200,000 units, and his business career made him one of the country's wealthiest persons.

Source: Wikipedia

Wow! From humble beginnings to one of the country's wealthiest person.