Ester Jayjay T. Villanueva: A Devoted Community Leader
Ester Jayjay Villanueva is the founder and publisher of The Montreal Pinoy Post, a community publication in the city of Montreal. This endeavor is rooted in the deep commitment of Jayjay to the continuous growth and development of the Filipino community that she serves. She believes in the dynamic process of community life and the kindred feelings that comes from friendship and cooperation.
Her life story revolves around service to humanity and dedication to her family. Family unity and solidarity are very important to her. Being the youngest of thirteen children of Marcelo Villanueva and Asuncion Tugade, she helped her sisters, nieces and extended families to come and work here in Canada. She is very generous and guides the young members of her family to develop their potentials and skills.
She graduated in 1977 with the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Education major in Physical Education and minor in Library Science from the National Teachers College, Manila, Philippines. After graduation, she was employed at the Lake Shore High School, Biñan, Laguna and Tondo High School, Manila.
As early as 1968, she was already involved in her barangay in the Philippines. She was president of Kabataang Barangay in San Juan, Metro Manila. She also organized the Santa Cruzan, the PABASA and Junior Legion of Mary in San Juan where she lived.
Life brought her to distant shores and that feeling of humanism and benevolence prevailed in all the paths she took. She arrived in Moncton, New Brunswick in August 1986 and after eight months she moved to Montreal, where she has lived for twenty-four years. She has always reached out and assisted the less fortunate members of the Filipino community. She provided transportations to Filipino seniors, visiting Filipino dignitaries in Montreal and drove her kababayans to renew their passports to Ottawa. Her home is always open to stranded Filipinos, providing them food and shelter while in transition.
Besides helping others, her main focus is the interest of the youth. She organized different sports such as basketball, tennis and volleyball. She has also promoted young celebrities in Montreal. She is a fundraiser and sponsor.
Being the founder and first president of the Philbecan Association and Manileño Association, she organized Miss Philbecan, Miss Teen Philbecan, Little Miss Philbecan, Mrs. Manileño, Miss Teen Manileño, Little and Queen Manileño, Hataw Na and Sayawit. She was also a member of various organizations such as FFCAQ, FAMAS director, QACFT vice-president and director, PBSSQ, Filipino Caregivers Association, FILGA secretary and Philippine Folk Art Society Vice president for Culture. She organized garage sales for St. Kevin’s Church since year 1992 up to the present.
For her acts of kindness, benevolence and service to the Filipino community, she was recognized and awarded by the Binibining Pilipinas of the World in Toronto on September 2001 as one of the ten outstanding Filipino Canadians. She was also given awards of recognition and appreciation by the following Quebec Association of Canadian Filipino Teachers (QACFT), certificate of Appreciation award by Philippine Benevolent and Scholarship Society of Quebec (PBSSQ) and Philippine Folk Art Society of Quebec (PFASQ). Being a vice president for culture of Philippine Folk Arts Society in culture, she was given a certificate of appreciation by the society.
Being a graduate of Early Childhood Education from Vanier College, Montreal. She is the owner and founder of Villacanas Family Daycare I & II since 1993 to present. Awards and accolades are not the driving force behind the story of her life. It was a relentless energy to be of service to others. It was a feeling of compassion that brings tears in her eyes whenever she sees them in need. She has to act on it and make a difference.
