Washington SyCip: Patriot, a true global Filipino

MANILA, Philippines — Washington SyCip, the legendary leader and grand old man of the Philippine business community, was working until the end, long after he retired in 1996, attending stockholders and board meetings of companies and organizations he was part of, both here and abroad.

He was a dignified and commanding presence at these meetings, often in his sleek, classic silk tang or stylized barong – red, black, fuschia, deep blue or tangerine. He also often graced cocktail receptions and dinners, sometimes staying till late into the night. One of his last public appearances was the 68th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, just last month, held at the Makati Shangri-La hotel.

Indeed, SyCip’s death has left many corporations orphaned because as chairman, advisor to the board or independent director, he was the wisest of all, guiding these companies’ board members in the right direction.

He passed away quietly on a Philippine Airlines flight to New York via Vancouver at the age of 96. He 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).

News of his death spread like wildfire on Sunday and the outpouring of grief was as intense as the life he lived. And because no single company or group could claim to be SyCip’s home as he was affiliated with so many, the tributes and kind words flowed endlessly.

He was, after all, mentor to the country’s taipans, tycoons, top executives, technocrats, government officials and diplomats.

But while he was larger than life, SyCip always described himself as just a bookkeeper.

He was born in Manila on June 30, 1921 to Albino SyCip and Helen Bau.

Philippine STAR columnist and Palanca award-winning writer Jose Dalisay Jr., author of the book, “Wash: Only a Bookkeeper,” said SyCip spent his earliest years with his grandparents in Shanghai but returned to Manila at age six.

He was a student in Manila – a product of the public school system, specifically Mapa High School – and later attended the University of Santo Tomas then went to Columbia University in the US for his PhD.

“His studies were interrupted, however, by the outbreak of war. Believing – mistakenly, as it turned out – that his father, a prominent banker, had been killed by the Japanese – Wash signed up with the US Army. Discovering his outstanding intellect, the Army moved him from the Infantry to intelligence work, an assignment that also required him to assume American citizenship. He spent most of the war as a cryptographer breaking Japanese codes from a base in Calcutta, India,” Dalisay wrote in the book.

After the war, he returned to the Philippines and as his own contribution to post war reconstruction, opened his own accounting firm SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. He married in 1948 his childhood friend Anna Yu and they would have three children – Vicky, George and Robert.

SGV would expand its global reach, partnering with accounting giants.

“All throughout, Wash’s uncompromising integrity and keen business sense established him as the country’s top advisor to presidents, business leaders and civil society advocates and as the Philippines’ best and most credible representative to the international business community,” Dalisay said.

“But more than the pioneer and titan of Philippine accounting that many knew him to be, Washington Sycip was a tireless advocate of Filipino development and culture, a firm believer in the Filipino’s ability and resourcefulness to succeed even in the most difficult circumstances, with adequate support and proper leadership. Throughout his long and storied life, he always thought and acted as a true global Filipino,” Dalisay said.

While his being an American citizen led some to question his loyalty to the Philippines, SyCip did more and fought harder for the country than many business or even government leaders.

Perhaps not known to many, SyCip reacquired Filipino citizenship some years ago, going through the required legal procedures to do so and actually getting a Philippine passport.

With his passing, many companies lost an ace in their boards. The outpouring of grief continues.

The Ayala Group described him as “a man of wisdom, altruistic motives and action, high standards towards work, and humility.”

SyCip, the group said, has left behind a great legacy from being a pioneer in business and industry, and an irreplaceable pillar of finance.

“He was a true patriot and visionary who dedicated his life to advancing the Philippine economy, with the aim of improving lives and making economic freedom possible and attainable for Filipinos. He was instrumental in strengthening closer economic and business relations with various countries, which generated business and employment opportunities and partnerships both at the macro and micro levels,” the conglomerate said.

“Ultimately, he is a cherished legend whose principles on integrity and love for country will remain and thrive in the hearts of this generation of Filipinos, and the next. Mr. SyCip has left a lasting impact in the Ayala group’s collective memory, and this nation’s history,” it added.?Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), the tollways and infrastructure conglomerate chaired by tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, said SyCip has been with the board since 2011.

“It is with deep sadness that we are informing the exchange, the investing public and the trading participants of the passing of Washington SyCip, an independent director of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.  Sycip served as independent director of MPIC since August 2011. We are deeply grateful for his valuable contributions and inputs to the company, and the Metro Pacific Group wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to SyCip’s family,” MPIC said.

Lucio Tan-owned PAL said SyCip was a true giant.

“SyCip was a true giant in the world of Philippine business. Beyond founding renowned institutions such as SGV and the AIM (Asian Institute of Management) , 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,” PAL said.

Sen. Grace Poe called him “the Sage of our Age.”

Once in a while, a wise man will pass the earth and leave a legacy that will stay long after he is gone. SyCip is one such man but the legacies he has left behind are too many to count.

One thing people will always remember about him is how he valued hard work and meritocracy.

PAL president Jaime Bautista, who had the privilege of working for SyCip at the SGV, said the man was always reminding them to do things the right way.

“Good governance was one area he was always teaching us. He always said we should do things the right way,” Bautista told STARweek.

As an independent director of PAL, SyCip was very active in the board, reminding the governing body that PAL had to always provide first class service. And he was always punctual, reporting to the office early.

He was a very respected leader but he was never arrogant, always a humble leader and always showed respect for others.

At an airport in Germany some ten years ago, Bautista was trying to get SyCip’s luggage from the conveyor belt. SyCip did not allow him to do so.

“Jimmy, don’t do this to me. You are depriving me of my exercise,” Bautista recalled SyCip saying.

His words of wisdom also went beyond the boardroom. When Bautista introduced SyCip to his wife, the old man said, “She’s your boss, Jimmy. You should always introduce her as your boss.”

Indeed, there’s no lack of words to honor the legend they call Wash.

Tycoon Roberto Ongpin, a man SyCip interviewed at the age of 26 when he was applying for a job at SGV, described him best, saying that he was “not only a great man but a good man and indeed a man for all seasons.”

Delia Albert, former ambassador and secretary of foreign affairs who in the last few years served as senior adviser at SGV – a title SyCip gave her when he recruited her after she retired from diplomatic service, with the mandate “to continue serving the country” – told STARweek in a text message after SyCip’s death: “I was fortunate to know such a great personality. I had a long chat with him before he left for the airport. He asked me to continue organizing dinners and lunches for foreign investors to stay engaged in the country. He wanted to see the guest list by next week! Patriot to the last minute.”