RICHARD DE VILLENA is the eldest son to the seven children of (the late) Elbert De Villena, Sr. and Emilia De Villena.

Born in Manila on the 26th day, month of May, year 1977. His father and mother hail from Odiongan, Romblon and Naga, Camarines Sur respectively.

His early childhood years spent in Mataas na Lupa Street, Paco, Manila until 1988. After a few years when the area in Mataas na Lupa Street devastated by fire, his family transferred to a slum area near Estero De Pandacan in Pres. Quirino Avenue, Paco, Manila, 

His basic education completed in Justo Lukban Elementary School, Apacible Street, Paco, Manila from Kindergarten under Miss Remo, his teacher and up to Grade Six under Mrs. Salvatus, section adviser.

He eventually had to skip his Grade Six study when his late father lost the job in a private company located in Otis, Manila. For good reason, a friend of his late father provided educational support for him to finish his elementary grade.

While living in a small shanty nearby the riverbank, Richard and his siblings tried to collect junk such as used plastic cups, Clorox empty bottles, copper and others that might be useful to sell.  The income from it were used to spend to the family’s food, ‘baon’ to school, while his late father had to do extra being a passenger jeepney driver  to Paco-Nagtahan route and vice-versa. His mother had to work as a high-speed sewer to add to the family’s needs.

He remembered that every time his mother went home she has a tray of eggs for the family. Richard doesn’t eat vegetables during his childhood years. Even though, they had a hard time to earn a living, still they survived.

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