‘Have I lost my innocence? I am still innocent!’

In this exclusive Conversationwith DPWH Sec. Mark Villar,the architect of ‘Build, Build, Build’ doesn’t talk about roads, bridges and high-rises but about how he takes good care of his body

The love story of Sec. Mark Villar (of the Department of Public Works & Highways) and his wife, Usec. Emmeline “Em” Aglipay-Villar (of the Department of Justice) is so beautiful that it should be dramatized not only in Charo Santos-Concio’s MMK (Maalaala Mo Kaya) but, why not, in a movie.

As the couple related in a previous interview with The STAR, when Mark was taking up his Masters at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, he and Em were already going steady — “Kami na,” was how he described their relationship.

Em was in her early 20s when she was diagnosed with lupus that required chemotherapy so she didn’t have to undergo dialysis. According to a medical book, lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes swelling (inflammation) and a wide variety of symptoms. It affects each patient in different ways. Some people have only a few mild symptoms and others have many, more severe symptoms including fatigue, recurrent low-grade fever, rashes, itchy lesions in some areas of the body, discoloration in the fingers and toes, chest pains and shortness of breath, swollen painful joints, gastro-intestinal problems, etc.

“I lost my hair,” recalled Em, leader of what she called The Lupus Warriors composed of lupus patients and author of a book about the disease, “so I had to wear a wig. I had rashes on my face and I was bashed for wearing thick make-up which I did to hide the rashes. For a while, I thought I wouldn’t get married because I was worried that I couldn’t have a child.”

But Mark was undaunted and lupus didn’t discourage him from pursuing Em (currently rid of the symptoms but is not totally cured). Em is the daughter of Ret. Gen. Edgardo Aglipay and the first cousin of the late Rico Yan whose dad Roby is the brother of Em’s mom Mawie. They got married in October 2014.

“Em was already pregnant with our daughter when I graduated.” (Before taking his Masters, Mark obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania, and before becoming a congressman, he worked for 10 years as president of Crown Asia.)

They named their daughter Emma Therese, who is turning four years old in September, for St. Therese.

“We prayed to St. Therese,” said Em. “You know, ‘If you give us a daughter, we will name her after you.’ Our daughter is an answered prayer.”

Here’s a “Body Talk” with Sec. Mark.

Describe your typical day (from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep).

“I wake up at around 5 a.m. to get ready for work but first I make sure to greet my wife and check up on my daughter. If I have time to eat breakfast with them…I try my best to do so. My first meeting is usually at 7 a.m. I’d usually have six or seven in a day including site inspections.

“As a matter of policy, I try to go unannounced. It’s important to see the projects on the ground. I try to eat dinner with Em and Emma as often as possible. But most of the time, meetings end up very late.”

With your busy schedule as DPWH Secretary, how do you find time for your family?

“I find time for my family mostly on weekends. On weekdays, I’m almost always loaded with work starting from 7 in the morning and that could last until 9 in the evening. But, as I said, if time will allow and I get to go home to my wife and kid, then I spend the rest of the night with them. We could have a simple dinner or maybe sit down and watch a movie. I look forward to playing with Emma before she goes to sleep.”

How do you pamper yourself (away from work)?

“To me, spending a whole day with my wife and daughter is the best way to relax. No better way to spend a free day.”

How do you take care of your body?

“I take care of my body by choosing to eat healthy. And on some days, if I’m not loaded with work, I go out to the gym or play basketball.”

—Photo by Ver Paulino

What kind of workout do you do and how often do you do it?

“Basketball or weights or cardio. I’m doing cardio workouts and endurance training. Before taking up this post, I used to play basketball at least once a week. I can’t tell you exactly how often because sometimes I don’t get to do it in a week — depending on my schedule.”

What part of your body needs improvement?

“I’ve always wanted stronger legs.”

What part is most vulnerable?

“Knees. I’m very careful when I play basketball.”

And what part is your favorite?

“My mind.”

What kind of diet do you follow?

“I don’t really follow a specific diet but I take lesser sweets now.”

What’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner…and snacks?

“Just about anything. I’m not really picky with food but I try to lessen my sweets.”

How much water do you take per day?

“I try to drink at least eight glasses a day.”

What vitamins do you take?

“Vitamin C.”

Do you take hard drinks?

“No.”

Do you smoke?

“No, I don’t.”

How do you cope with stress?

“I’m very interested in Philippine Art. My family enjoys animals.”

Outlook in life?

“I try to keep things as simple as possible. I don’t dwell on the negative, especially on things I cannot do anything about. I try to focus on the positive.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“Unfortunately, I get around four to five hours at the most. On good days, I get six to seven hours of sleep.”

Favorite sleepwear?

“Just about anything comfortable. Old shirt and loose shorts.”

Do you ever sleep in the nude?

“No.”

How many pillows do you sleep with?

“Just one.”

Do you snore?

“Occasionally. Not all the time.”

‘As a suitor,’ says Usec. Em, ‘Mark was undaunted. My lupus didn’t discourage him from courting me.’ Far right: Mark during a meeting with movie writers with his sister Camille (running for congresswoman in Las Piñas City) and mom Sen. Cynthia Villar (running for re-election).

Do you talk in your sleep?

“You should ask my wife.”

Last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“I make sure I get to hug my daughter before I sleep.”

First thing that you do as soon as you wake up?

“Have breakfast.”

How’s your love life?

“Em and I are very happy and contented.”

How’s your sex life?

“Happy.”

Lights on or lights off?

“Lights off.”

When did you lose your innocence?

“I haven’t lost it yet.”

(If ever) to a younger woman, older woman or woman your age?

“Still innocent.”

Three women you think have nice bodies.

“Only one woman — Emmeline Aglipay-Villar.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)