Washington SyCip, bookkeeper, leader
Washington SyCip always described himself as just a bookkeeper. But when he died, he was larger than life, hailed as a legendary leader, business icon, statesman, pillar, and one of the old guards of the country’s economic development.
Indeed, he might as well be the business community’s version of Jedi Master Yoda: small in body build but wise and powerful.
SyCip died on Saturday on a Philippine Airlines flight to New York at the age of 96, leaving members of the business community, diplomatic corps, and government and social circles deeply saddened.
The world renowned accountant, philanthropist, diplomat, mentor, and adviser to generations of businessmen, tycoons and the country’s top executives was brought to the Richmond General Hospital in Vancouver where the coroner confirmed his death at 12:30
p.m., Oct. 7 (3:30 a.m., Oct. 8, Philippine time).
He was on board PR 126, the flight from Manila to New York via Vancouver. He died quietly on the plane but he was brought to the hospital in Vancouver where he was legally confirmed dead.
SyCip was the founder of the accounting giant SyCip, Gorres, Velayo & Co. as well as the Asian Institute of Management (AIM). He also served as an honorary consul general of Austria.
Philippine STAR and Starweek editor Doreen Yu, SyCip’s cousin-in-law, said he was an American citizen but he always stood up and fought for the Philippines.
“He always stood up for the Philippines. He stood against the Chinese,” Yu said.
Yu also said SyCip was known all over the world because he sat on the boards of many global corporations and foundations.
“Uncle Wash, he was short, just around five feet but he was a towering figure,” Yu said.
SyCip was a 2012 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Asia’s version of the Nobel prize, “for fostering economic growth and mutual understanding in Asia through professionalism, publicspirited enterprise, and his own esteemed example.”
The Ramon Magsaysay Foundation hailed SyCip as “one of the most revered and beloved industrialists in the Philippines and in Asia.”
He was also honored with the Edmonds Award for International Understanding by the New York-based International House, a non-profit residence and program center for graduate students from all over the world.
The government of Japan also conferred on him The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star for his contribution in promoting stronger business relations between the Philippines and Japan, the country’s envoy to Washington, Ambassador Jose “Babe” Romualdez said in a recent article.
SyCip also joined the ranks of iconic Bench models, agreeing to appear on a Bench billboard in 2015 on the condition that the fee would be used to advance his advocacy of promoting education.
Highly respected by members of the business community, SyCip’s presence in companies is regarded as a seal of good housekeeping.
Thus, SyCip served as advisor to and member of the boards of directors of many of the country’s biggest conglomerates and companies, including Metro Pacific Investments Corp., BDO Unibank, Belle Corp. and the LT Group Inc.
Tributes and accolades poured in yesterday, soon after the news of his death broke.
Former finance secretary Cesar Purisima said SyCip mentored him and thousands more.
Businessman Manuel Villar said: “I consider him a mentor. He is an icon. His legacy will remain with us long after his death.”
Tycoon Teresita Sy-Coson said SyCip has been a highly valued adviser to the board of directors of BDO Unibank.
“We will always remember him for his guidance over the years,” she said.
The AIM said the passing of SyCip “is a great loss to the institution and the country’s business community, but his legacy will live on in the AIM alumni.”
Philippine Airlines also released a statement expressing its “sadness and grief over the passing of SyCip, a member of PAL’s Board of Directors and board member of sister firms in the Lucio Tan Group of Companies.
“SyCip was a true giant in the world of Philippine business. Beyond founding renowned institutions such as SGV and the AIM, SyCip was a leader, advisor and guiding force behind many other Filipino businesses and philanthropic organizations, and an advocate for poverty alleviation, public education and economic freedom,” the Lucio Tan-owned airlines said.
“For those of us who had the privilege of working with him and under his guidance, SyCip was a legendary mentor who inspired us to strive for the highest measure of excellence and integrity in the conduct of our business, and in serving the Filipino public. We feel his loss keenly, and will greatly miss his wise counsel and commanding presence,” PAL added.
Tycoon Roberto Ongpin hosted a post-birthday and thanksgiving dinner for him last July. Around 130 guests from the business and diplomatic circles paid tribute.
SyCip initially did not agree to the dinner, Ongpin recalled.
“I said, ‘Wash, I would like to have a dinner party for you.’ It was before his birthday, a few days before, but I was on my way to Europe and so I said, ‘Wash, can I host a dinner for your?’ and he said, ‘You know, I’m 96 years old, it’s not such a significant day, why don’t we wait until I’m a hundred years old?”
But Ongpin was able to convince SyCip.
Ongpin in his speech during the dinner said: “he is not only a great man, he is a good man and indeed a man for all seasons.”
Even Malacañang and politicians mourned the passing of SyCip.
“On behalf of the Filipino nation, we condole with the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Washington SyCip. He was a respected voice in corporate governance and staunch believer in Filipino talent…He is already missed,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
Sen. Grace Poe described SyCip as the “Sage of our Age” and was one of the persons she greatly admired.
“He was a man who radiated intelligence and inspired respect, and while he was of slight physical stature, he towered over all of his contemporaries,” Poe said in a statement.
“We shared many advocacies such as access to quality education and alleviation of poverty. I actively sought his counsel and learned from his wisdom,” she said.
Senators Sonny Angara and Richard Gordon also expressed sadness over SyCip’s death, citing his “historic and benchmarking” contributions to the nation.
“It’s with great sorrow that I learned this morning of the death of Washington SyCip, a visionary leader who influenced many generations,” Gordon said.
Details of his wake were not yet available as of this writing.