Walay pangandoy nga dili makab-ot sa tawo nga maningkamot.
Mao ni ang sugilanon ni Vladimir Roy Villena nga teenager pa lang dihang nakat-on nang morampa sa mga pagsuway sa kinabuhi. Una niyang taak sa corporate world isip commercial ug ramp model sa usa ka sikat nga clothing brand.
“I was a non-academic scholar in college kay ni-apply pud ko pagka-varsity player sa basketball para malibre lang sa eskwela kay akong mommy na-diagnosed og breast cancer at that time ug wala gyud mi kwarta,” paambit niya sa interbyu sa Superbalita Cebu.
“Since bata pa nanlimbasog nako aron makatabang sa pamilya. Nag-ball boy ko sa tennis, nag-car washer sa mga 13C jeepney sa Talamban ug nag-food handler sa mga food chain. Then modeling came when I was discovered by Mossimo. Among my contemporaries were Andrew Sincero (ABS-CBN celebrity) and Roxanne (nga na-link sa rape case ni Vhong Navarro). I won 2nd place in Uomo Cebu held in Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.”
Human kapin sa dekada ang ramp model usa na sab karon ka tinahod sa corporate world isip founder sa Vegan food nga Gaia (Simply Nature) nga duha na katuig gipasidunggan sa Sun.Star’s Best of Cebu isip Best Vegan Food.
I’m a very health-conscious person. I want to stay fit as much as possible `cuz my mom died of cancer so dapat maalaga ko sa akong self. I want to live longer for my kids aron makakita pa ko nga kaslon sila ug makakita sa akong mga apo (laughs). Maybe it’s not hard for me to promote Gaia `cuz it’s my lifestyle,” esplika sa 37-anyos nga aktibo usab sa beauty pageants isip usa sa mga sponsor sa Miss Consolacion 2022.
“Beauty queens help promote our products and spread health awareness in our community. Basta mga Cebuano magtinabangay man jud ug mao nay usa sa nindot natong kinaiya,” ni Vladimir.
“Actually, Gaia just started out as a hobby `cuz I’ve been in the food service industry for more than a decade now as sales manager for Del Monte. So I thought, `why not come up with my own healthy juice nga plant-based?’ Nag-start kog baligya sa akong gym before (Battleground Fitness). Then pag-pandemic akong gibaligya sa community as detox juices to help people boost their immune system.”
“Kusog kaayo pag-pandemic ang Gold Juice (turmeric), Kamunggay, Heartbeet, Guanabana, Tanglad (lemongrass), Trimeric (fat burning juice), Ginger Ale, Fermented Watermelon and our new Chia Kyuri (Japanese cucumber with chia seeds). After almost a year we evolved and added some Vegan meals.”
“We also manufacture Vegan condiments like Soyannaise, Vegan oyster sauce, Thai sweet chili garlic sauce, and Vegan chicken spread. They are all available in our Gaia store at the 4th floor of Ayala Central Bloc, Shell stations and some selected restaurants and hotels. We are also in Lazada, and soon in cloudkart online store 3. My typical day includes going to the gym, running and checking my other businesses such as Lumpia ni Senyang and my mini farm.”
“How would I see myself five years from now? Maybe from a simple jeepney car washer to CEO that manufactures No. 1 detox juices and Vegan food in the Philippines and provides more jobs in the community, ug naa nay big plantation sa production. In Jesus name, I’m claiming it.”