Onward to a New Standard

UNDER BARANGAY CHAIRMAN JOSE MIKHAIL “MIKO” VILLENA’S LEADERSHIP, POBLACION, MAKATI INTRODUCED KAP, AN ONLINE PLATFORM FOR BARANGAY SERVICES, AND A MONTH-LONG FIESTA, SHOWCASING THE AREA’S VIBRANT CULTURE. HIS VISION INCLUDES A CHILD FRIENDLY COMMUNITY, WITH INITIATIVES LIKE RISE, REWARDING YOUNG LEARNERS.

Located at the heart of the City of Makati, Barangay Poblacion is known for its dynamic contrasts between heritage and innovation, tradition and modernity. And at the helm of this ever-changing community is its youngest leader, Barangay Chairman Jose Mikhail “Miko” Villena. At first glance, Villena might seem like an unlikely figure to occupy the role of Barangay Captain; youthful and approachable, with a fondness for cars, toys, and a past stint as a DJ, he represents a refreshing departure from conventional public service personas.

“I’m a morning person, I wake up around 7 a.m., but you know us, the youth, we don’t actually get moving right away,” Villena shares candidly, speaking to how he balances his age with the demands of leadership. “The first thing I do when I wake up is scroll through social media… part of that is checking concerns and complaints from our Viber groups. So that’s really how it is, I’ll make sure to check it every morning before I go to the office.” His daily routine reflects the hybrid nature of his role, grounded in the immediacy of grassroots governance but informed by the tools of a digital generation.

INHERITED VISION, PERSONALIZED DIRECTION

Villena is hands-on yet collaborative, modern but respectful of legacy. His political roots run deep. His grandfather, Jose Villena II, served as municipal mayor of Makati from 1948 to 1954. His father, Councilor Joey Villena, was barangay captain of Poblacion for 13 years and remains an important mentor. “My dad never dictates what I should do, but rather, he’s a guide,” the younger Villena explains. “Ginagabayan niya ako sa bawat desisyon… malaking tulong siya (He provides guidance in every decision I make... he's been such a huge help). But he gives me the space to make my own decisions. That’s our style.” Growing up under the shadow of a seasoned public servant wasn’t always about politics for Villena. It was also a performance — quite literally. “I would dance for him during those pocket meetings,” he laughs. “Sometimes, I would be the surprise intermission number.” But over time, the spectacle of service matured into understanding. “Natutuhan ko din yung purpose kung bakit niya gusto yung ginagawa niya… naging inspiration siya sa sakin (I came to understand the purpose behind what he does... it has truly become an inspiration for me).” Before him, Villena’s older brother, Pocholo Villena, served as SK chairman and later as a kagawad of Barangay Poblacion, laying the groundwork for several youth- and education-focused initiatives that he would later continue and expand.

Though anchored in tradition, Villena has a style of his own. From graduating secondary education at Colegio San Agustin Makati, earning his college degree at the University of Santo Tomas, and completing postgraduate studies in urban tourism and development at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), his education has shaped his practical yet visionary approach to governance. “One of the key takeaways was to begin with the end in mind,” he says. “Bago ka gumawa ng program, dapat alam mo kung ano ba ‘yung goal mo para sa barangay mo (Before you make a program, you’ve got to know what your goal for your community is).” For Poblacion, a tourist magnet and a residential sanctuary, this means finding the balance between progress and preservation. “You welcome tourists without affecting the residents. That’s the challenge.”

MANAGING POBLACION AS A TOURIST HOTSPOT

At 29, Villena acknowledges the challenges of youth in politics. “Not everyone is open to someone young leading this barangay,” he shares. “Isn’t he too young to be a barangay captain?” he recalls hearing, but he also sees his age as an advantage. “We have fresher ideas and policies… change is not easily accepted, but in the long run, it will be better for everyone.”

One such idea is the “Poblacion Standard,” an evolving benchmark for innovation and excellence in barangay governance. It’s inspired by his father’s track record of “firsts” — the first to build a physical therapy clinic, acquire a fire truck, and introduce other vital services. “Gusto ko makaisip din ng ibang paraan na kami yung first… kahit sa Metro Manila (I want to think of ways for us to be the first, even within Metro Manila),” Villena shares. “That’s why we started projects like our month-long fiesta and our dream program called KAP — ‘Konektado ang Poblacion.’” KAP is a digital platform that allows residents to apply for barangay documents like clearances and certificates online, streamlining bureaucratic processes and reducing the need for long lines at the barangay hall. “They can either pick it up or we’ll send it. The goal is to make life easier.” If successful, KAP could become the first of its kind not just in Makati, but in the entire National Capital Region.

Managing Poblacion’s booming nightlife and tourism scene is also no easy feat. The district has become a hotspot not just for Makati residents, but for tourists from all over the metro and even abroad. Villena knows that the vibrancy brings complications. “You have to account for the safety of tourists without compromising the needs of residents,” he says. “Parking is hard, yes, and our barangay tanods can’t be everywhere at once. But we try to meet the challenge with programs—traffic flow planning, alternate routes, designated business zones to limit noise.” Aside from this, business permit renewals now come with consultations. “We encourage them to meet with us so we can involve them in our barangay programs,” he says. “Safety and order remain our top priorities,” he adds. Coordination with the local Philippine National Police substation is also vital, especially when it comes to maintaining peace during busy nights. However, Villena believes that collaboration is the key and calls on visitors themselves to respect the space. “I hope everyone who goes to Poblacion understands and values the residents here… party all night, but don’t lose respect for the people.”

A BARANGAY FOR ALL AGES

While nightlife is what many outsiders associate with Poblacion, Villena is working to ensure that all demographics, especially children, are prioritized. Under his leadership, Poblacion recently received the 2024 Most Child-Friendly Barangay 5-Star Award, along with a Php500,000 grant to fund more youth-centric initiatives. One flagship project is RISE — “Recognition of Intelligence, Skills, and Excellence.” Students in public schools and daycare centers who reach the required grades receive cash incentives. The barangay also deploys student safety guides during school hours. “These programs started with my brother and I continued them… It’s important that we reward and protect our young learners.” Villena is also proud of the culture and community spirit he’s helping to foster, particularly through the reinvention of the barangay’s fiesta celebration. “From one day to one week, and now a month-long event,” he beams. “We had six artists perform, and 7,000 people joined the celebration. It was free, open to everyone, with help from our local sponsors.” For him, this event is more than just a party. It’s a symbol of what Poblacion can achieve when culture, business, and civic spirit come together.

YOU HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR THE SAFETY OF TOURISTS WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS. PARKING IS HARD, YES, AND OUR BARANGAY TANODS CAN’T BE EVERYWHERE AT ONCE. BUT WE TRY TO MEET THE CHALLENGE WITH PROGRAMS — TRAFFIC FLOW PLANNING, ALTERNATE ROUTES, DESIGNATED BUSINESS ZONES TO LIMIT NOISE.

THE VISION

As for his political future, Villena remains open. “If given the opportunity and the trust of the city's residents, why not? That opportunity wouldn’t just help the barangay—it would help the whole of Makati.” But for now, his focus is firmly on Poblacion. From innovating local governance with KAP, to preserving culture with Poblacion Rising Onwards (PRO), to promoting youth development through RISE, Villena is shaping a barangay where continuity meets change.

He may no longer spin records as a DJ, but he still knows how to strike a chord with people. “The time I spent as a DJ made a big difference… It improved my PR skills and my ability to communicate with different people. There’s more to it than just music. It’s also about pakikipagkapwa (fellowship).” And perhaps, that’s the essence of his leadership: a deep-rooted sense of pakikipagkapwa—of connection, compassion, and continuity.

THE CONTINUITY

One year down, and with many more dreams to pursue, Villena is proving that youth and legacy can go hand in hand, leading Poblacion not just forward, but upward. In his first year alone, the barangay has secured a new ambulance through the Department of Health and Congressman Luis Campos. There’s also an ongoing vision to modernize the fire truck fleet, and—a long-time dream of his father’s—to one day establish a local dialysis center. “It’s expensive and complicated,” he admits, “but, at least, my dad was able to donate two dialysis machines to the Ospital ng Makati when he became councilor. So even if the dream didn’t fully happen in Poblacion, it was still carried out across the whole of Makati.”

FROM INNOVATING LOCAL GOVERNANCE WITH KAP, TO PRESERVING CULTURE WITH PRO, TO PROMOTING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH RISE, MIKO VILLENA IS SHAPING A BARANGAY WHERE CONTINUITY MEETS CHANGE.

This commitment to continuity—from his father to his brother to himself—is encapsulated in their PRO initiative. “The goal is, whoever will become the leader here in Poblacion, there’s no way to go but onwards,” he shares. “We welcome modernization without sacrificing the rich culture of the barangay.” In just his first year as barangay captain, Villena has rolled out major programs, modernized systems, reenergized celebrations, and won recognition for youth and safety initiatives. But for him, leadership is not about milestones—it’s about mindfulness. “Personally, I live day by day,” he reflects. “Kapag natapos na ‘yung term ko, ayoko lang masabi sa sarili ko na ‘sayang, hindi ko nagawa’ (I just don’t want to reach the end of my term thinking, ‘What a waste, I didn’t make it happen’).” What matters to him is that the people of Poblacion feel the impact of having a young, responsive chairman. “I know na nararamdaman nila ‘yung change… and I hope masaya sila sa naipakita ko (I know they experienced the change… and I really hope they were happy with what I showed them).”