Villeno Brothers make us proud
Yesterday, we posted a list of our kababayans residing in California, and how they have collectively called themselves the Metro Infanta Residents of California (MIRC). Leo Villeno is MIRC's current president, and for many years has been an untiring supporter of Metro Infanta Foundation. He was sidelined by an illness for a while, but judging from his acceptance of his rolse as MIRC's president, he must be doing fine now and we hope that his recovery will continue.
We are proud to feature Leo and his brothers. Their story was published in the Winter 1999 issue of the Metro Infanta News and is worth repeating with a few additions.
We also would like to use this special feature story as an invitation to all our guests now scattered around the globe to let us know how you're doing in your new country.
Barangay Langas should be pride
By Mila Glodava
The Villeno brothers: Ismael (Maeng), Roger, Leo (Nitoy), Manny and Julio, sons of Maria C. Gurango and the late Elias S. Villeno, have found success in the Philippines and in the United States.
Ismael or Maeng is an optometrist, who is also running the ISARVILLE Farm and Garden in Barangay Langas in Infanta. Maeng was among 30 recipients of the Infanta Binhi Awards distributed by the Infanta Municipal Government on the occasion of Infanta’s 300 year anniversary.
Roger is a retired engineer now residing with his wife, Dr. Norma Villeno, in Punta Gurda, Florida. Leo or Nitoy is a nurse; Manny is an accountant; and Julio is also a nurse. The last three brothers are running three residence for board and care, the "South Hills Country Home for the Elderly," in West Covina, California.
The Villenos started their business for the board and care of the elderly in 1995. “It took us eight months to really get going,” said Leo. Nevertheless, they passed the state inspection with flying colors and soon enough, their new board and care business was an unqualified success, with enough clients to fill the house.
In 1997, the Villeno brothers opened their second house, filling it up quickly too with residents. “We were very very proud when the state inspector commented that our residences were clean and organized,” said Leo.
“We opened the third house in early 1999,” said Leo. They also received a license for residential elderly 60 years old and above, with ambulatory or non-ambulatory services. Leo is also proud that most of their care givers are Filipinos, seven of whom are kababayans from Infanta. In fact, Leo and his brothers sponsored in 1999 two health care workers through the Labor Department and Immigration and Naturalization Services.
Since we last published this article on the Villeno brothers, we have learned that the Villenos also have opened a store in Manila, offering Philippine handicrafts and products.