"The passing of these three men is a personal loss to me."
"The passing of these three men is a personal loss to me."
I feel sad when I think of my three best friends who were among the country's top tycoons. I got to know them when I was business editor of the Philippines Herald.
Santa Banana, those were the days when I could just barge into the office of a bank chairman or president, or a tycoon for that matter, for an interview!
They were Henry Sy Sr., founder of SM and its affiliates now in banking, property development, hotels, tourism and retail. I have written about the time I first met him—when he was a 23-year-old shoe retailer in Carriedo. I followed his rags-to-riches story.
Henry was three years older that I, but I was lucky to know him personally and at times have coffee with him.
He told me the secret of having a successful retail company. Before opening an SM, he would invite all known retail companies to have space at SM, and all he asked was 10 percent of their sales. They could not refuse because SM gave them free security, free amenities and free space. No wonder he is called the King of Retailers.
Henry's legacy is that there is no substitute for hard work, patience and perseverance.
Another tycoon friend was George SK Ty, founder and chairman of Metrobank.
I consider George a personal friend because we often conversed during the foreign visits of Presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Arroyo. We were all part of the business delegation.
George was well known for his philanthropy. He had an annual selection of the best teachers, best policemen, best soldiers, and outstanding Filipinos. His corporate social responsibility was outstanding.
At one time, George made me a judge of the best teachers.
And then, there is Alfonso Yuchengco, chairman and president of RCBC, Malayan Insurance and Great Pacific Insurance.
When he was just starting out in insurance, the Business Writers Association of the Philippines voted him as the “Young Insurance Man of the Year.” Later, he was named “Insurance Man of the Year.”
He often invited me and my wife for dinner at his home. Every year-end, he would ask me to brief his executives on business prospects for the following year. When he became ambassador to Japan, I visited him there.
If there is one thing common among these three, it's their vision for the Philippines. This is why I believe their good fortune was a reward from God. Their passing is a loss not only to the country but also to me.
* * *
I do not subscribe to the sentiment that the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law will usher in peace, unity and development in Mindanao.
The IS-inspired terror groups have proliferated in Mindanao. They will continue to frustrate whatever plans the Duterte administration has for the new Bangsamoro territory.
The fact that there are now some 40 foreign terrorists in the country, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, aggravates the situation. These groups' single agenda is to create panic and confusion among the populace.
Note that the plebiscite result is not unanimous. Sulu is against it, and so is Isabela in Basilan. This also means that Nur Misuari's Moro National Liberation Front is not one with the MILF that will rule the BARMM. This simply means that unity and peace in Mindanao are not forthcoming.
There are many reasons that the Muslims in Mindanao and Sulu are not united. It's rooted in history. The Tausugs in Sulu cannot live with the Maranaos in the Lanao provinces, and neither can the Maranaos and Maguindanaoans live with the Tausugs. It's tribalism.
This is the reason Muslims love guns. They are a source of power. You cannot separate guns and Muslims.
It's a long way to peace.
* * *
The Manila Standard will finally publish my memoirs. Publication was delayed because of unforeseen events.
First, there was a question of money. This is why I am eternally grateful to Standard publisher Rollie Estabillo and Martin and Philip Romualdez who finally decided to publish my book.
I am also thankful to opinion page editor Adelle Chua and writer Jenny Ortuoste for helping me finalize my memoirs.
I was also not satisfied with the first print. I did not like the cover “Periodista: The Road Never Ends.”
I have to revise the entire project to be true to myself. God willing, I should be able to launch the book after the elections in May.
* * *
If many parts of the country are election hot spots because of the possibility of violence, it is simply because there are politicians who do not want to lose power and the perks that go with it.
Nothing much has changed, indeed. And then, after the elections, there will be more protests. Here there are only those who won and those who claim they were cheated.
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