Palace condoles with Sy family

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang expressed its condolences to the family of SM Investments Corp. founder Henry Sy Sr. who died in his sleep yesterday at the age of 94.

“The Palace expresses its deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of (Mr. Henry Sy Sr.) as well as to the legions whose lives have been touched by him,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

The Palace official noted that Sy was a visionary and a pillar of the Philippine economy who believed in the potentials and opportunities of the country and pursued them with dedication, passion and hard work until their fruition.

“Mr. Sy boldly took the business path which Filipino businessmen feared to tread. He pioneered the construction of malls in the Philippines beginning with the construction of SM North EDSA in 1983 when the country was in political and economic turmoil as a result of the assassination of (former) senator Benigno Aquino Jr.,” Panelo said.

Transform the SM patriarch did, with the transformation a sight to behold, Panelo added.

“The landscapes of major cities in the Philippines seem unadorned and incomplete minus the imposing architectural delight,” Panelo said. 

Panelo noted that Sy made going to the malls a delightful experience as part of urban living in the country, where Filipino families and the ordinary folks “bond, promenade and create wondrous and memorable moments.”

Workers mourn

Workers’ groups also mourned Sy’s death, citing his rags to riches life story.

In separate statements, Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) expressed their condolences to Sy’s family. 

“Henry Sy Sr. is an inspiring story. He was todo kayod or TK who succeeded and succeeded with alacrity. I’ve been telling workers and trade unionists to emulate the (TK) of Henry Sy Sr.,” said FFW president Sonny Matula.  

“Your mission is done and you did it (in exemplary ways)… Godspeed on your journey back to the loving Father,” Matula added. – With Sheila Crisostomo