Business icon Washington SyCip passes away

Respected business icon and philanthropist Washington SyCip passed away while on a flight to Vancouver, Canada from Manila Saturday night, October 7. He was 96.

SyCip founded SGV & Co., the country's largest professional services firm.

In his authorized biography written by Jose Dalisay in 2009, SyCip was described as "one of the foremost practitioners of accounting in the Philippines and Asia, as well as a prime advocate of closer cooperation between the Philippines, the United States, Europe and Asia."

He started SGV as a oneman accounting venture in 1946, while the country was recovering from the ruins of World War II. He later partnered with boyhood friend Alfredo Velayo. SGV stands for SyCip, Gorres and Velayo.

After he retired from SGV in 1996, he continued to mentor younger accountants, was active in civic endeavors, and played an active role as member of the board of several companies and foundations.

His advocacies included the improvement of public education, micro finance and entrepreneurship, and public health, Dalisay wrote.