■ LIU PATRIARCH PASSES AWAY AT 88; 'HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO SERVING CEBUANOS'
Cebu’s business leaders paid tribute yesterday to Leo Lim Liu, pointing out his legacy of “remarkable community service” and “business excellence reflected in the triumph of the family enterprise.” Liu, 88, died last Tuesday. He was patriarch of the family behind Golden ABC, Matimco Inc., Basic Graphics, and Oakridge Business Park. Liu served as president of Asociacion Benevola de Cebu and helped build Chong Hua Hospital from an 80bed facility in 1981 into one of the country’s largest employers in the health care industry. He was also one of the leaders of the Cebu Filipino Chinese Volunteers Fire Brigade. “He dedicated his life to serving the Cebuanos,” said Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Melanie Ng. His wake is at the Holy Family Oratory, Oakridge Business Park on A.S. Fortuna St. in Mandaue.
Cebu has lost a business icon and a philanthropist.
Leo Lim Liu, patriarch of the family behind Golden ABC, Matimco Inc. and Oakridge Business Park passed away Tuesday. He was 88.
“Mr. Leo Lim Liu has dedicated his life to serving the Cebuanos. We are deeply saddened by his passing but heartened by the fact that he has left behind a great legacy of benevolence and remarkable community service emulated by his family and the officers of the Asosacion Benevola de Cebu Inc.,” said Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Melanie Ng.
Liu served as president of Chong Hua Hospital, which he built from an 80-bed hospital in 1981 into one of the country’s largest employers in the health care industry.
He is also one of the esteemed leaders of Cebu Filipino Chinese Volunteers Fire Brigade.
“We remember him fondly as one who dedicated his life to community service,” said Wilson Ng, in his Facebook post.
Liu was also one of the businessmen conferred with the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Sylvester, one of the five orders of knighthood awarded by the Pope.
The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) was also saddened by the death of Liu.
“He was an awardee of the MCCI Chamber Award last year as Mentor of the Year for a lifetime of leadership, his legacy of business excellence reflected in the triumph of the family enterprise and effective succession, perpetuating longheld business values through the next generation. We send our condolences and prayers to his family and loved ones,” said the MCCI in a statement.
MCCI said his achievements and influence span many industries and whose next generation displayed tremendous success in garments, global fashion and manufacturing.
Liu is survived by his wife, Norma and five children—Alfred, Bernie, Charlie, Doris and Edmun. His remains lie at the Holy Family Oratory, Oakridge Business Park on A. S Fortuna, Mandaue City.
His burial will be on Feb. 26 at the Benevola Memorial Garden in Consolacion, Cebu.