An extraordinary King

ARCHIMEDES “Archie” R. King lived a short life, but it was fulfilling, allowing him to transfigure the lives of people around him in one way or another.

The son of Filipino- Chinese motel magnate and philanthropist, Angelo King, Mr. King made a name for himself in the local hospitality industry by founding and running Victoria Court chain of motels. The title “motel king,” once reserved for his father, came into his possession.

Victoria Court has operated on Mr. King’s desire for every couple checking into the motel to come out in high spirits as better lovers. This has entitled the chain to a kind of glamor that people don’t normally associate with motels.

“He managed to change the reputation of the motel business from something seedy into something classy whilst repositioning the business as the premium motel chain in Manila,” his sons, Ian and Atticus King, said in an e-mail to BusinessWorld.

But not only the guests have taken delight in spending a few hours of their lives in the motel, but also the employees.

“He invested heavily into creating a happy workforce. He loved the employees and made it a point to create a system that not only invested in the technical competence needed for the job at hand but in the holistic development of the person as a human being,” the sons said.

Despite the financial success of Victoria Court, which has branches in several parts of Metro Manila, and his other ventures, including Hotel La Corona de Lipa, in Batangas, Mr. King did not overindulge himself.

“He had money but he didn’t flaunt it,” Wyden King, brother of Mr. King, said in an interview. “He had riches but did not allow the riches to spoil him in excessive ways. He was simple in his lifestyle, except for his toys.” Those toys were cars that, Mr. Wyden said, his brother was fond of building and modifying.

Mr. King also cultivated a reputation as a philanthropist. He took over the job as chairperson of the Angelo King Foundation, Inc., from his father, who is grappling with frail health. “The family foundation has always focused on creating projects that teach people how to fish rather than feeding them fish,” his sons said.

The foundation is involved in various humanitarian activities, including a partnership with De La Salle University ( DLSU), the DLSU-Angelo King Institute for Economic and Business Studies.

DLSU-AKI was established in 1999 with the goal of contributing to the alleviation of poverty and the pursuit of sustainable development in the country.

Dr. Tereso S. Tullao, Jr., head of DLSU- AKI, described Mr. King in an interview as a “very amiable person.” They first met each other at DLSU, their alma mater. “He did not take sides. He was always looking for a happy mean, a win-win, solution, a nice resolution to the conflict.”

Mr. King took active participation in Gawad Kalinga (GK), an organization that aims to bail millions of families out of poverty. “He was the one who knocked on the door of Tony Meloto [GK’s chairman] to let him know of his intentions,” his sons said. Mr. King and his second wife, Angeles Urrutia, bankrolled the building of a multipurpose hall at GK Enchanted Farm in Bulacan, which is named after them.

There were many other humanitarian organizations to which Mr. King devoted his time, energy and resources. “His goal was to be able to share the blessings he had. He always said that putting a roof and a smile on other people made him a fulfilled man,” his sons said.

Juggling the demands of his businesses with his philanthropic endeavors, not to mention his family affairs, would have been taxing. But Mr. King was known for adopting a healthy and active lifestyle that made it possible for him to get on with life with ease.

“He was sickly [as a child]. He had asthma, so he wanted fresh air, the outdoors, disciplined diet. He was into gym and exercise because he wanted to build up his health,” his brother said.

His sons said he was in constant communion with nature. “He was always happy just spending time in the water, whether windsurfing or scuba diving. He also found joy in just checking the harvest of his vegetable garden. He never spent a weekend in Manila.”

One of the greatest influences in Mr. King’s life, which could also account for his behaviors that drew respect and appreciation, was Taoism, a Chinese religion that extols the values of humility, simplicity, wisdom and harmony with nature. “He would always say that Taoism is not a religion. It’s a way of life,” his brother said.

“Our dad always believed in the Taoist saying, ‘ Where your mind goes, your energy follows.’ He focused on everything positive, meditated a lot and never said a bad word about other people. He always said that worrying is a waste of time. All his friends, families, and all the people who knew him that can attest to that,” his sons said.

It took everyone by surprise when Mr. Archie King’s life was cut short, at 62, in a helicopter crash in Batangas last year. He was with his wife, who survived the tragedy.

Ian and Atticus King said they want their father to be remembered as a man who was loved by all; as someone who contributed to society not to be recognized, but out of a genuine desire to help his disadvantaged countrymen; as a person who was physically active and health conscious. “That he was this caring person who lived by his motto – ‘ Life is short. Enjoy it!’”

“His goal was to be able to share the blessings he had. He always said that putting a roof and a smile on other people made him a fulfilled man.”