Cynthia Aguilar Villar earned her degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines, which recognized her as one of its Distinguished Alumni in 2004. She completed her Masters in Business Administration at the New York University. She practiced as a financial analyst and college professor until she married Former House Speaker and Senate President Manny Villar in 1975. She was Chairman of Committee on Higher and Technical Education during the 13th and 14th congress. Cynthia Villar’s social and civic concerns are wide and varied. Thus, in 1992, she founded and chaired the Villar Foundation, the programs of which programs include providing assistance to OFWs, environment protection and livelihood projects.