There are no words worthy to express the sadness we feel at the loss of Washington Sycip, our Founding Chair and Trustee Emeritus of the Global Asia Society.

Mr. Sycip lived a purpose driven life that will continue to inspire us beyond his passing. He cared deeply about the Philippines and made immeasurable contributions towards its success through his own business enterprise, SGV, the first multi-national Filipino company, and to the multitudes of non-profit organizations he was involved in.

His wisdom, energy and generous support for Asia Society, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Asia Business Council, the Asian Institute of Management, Columbia University, Insead, Syngergia, the UP Singing Ambassadors, CARD MRI, to name a few he spoke often about, are a glimmer into the breadth of his deep determination to contribute to a better Philippines and more equitable world.

Aside from the many corporate boards he sat on, Mr. Sycip will always be remembered as the consummate and unparalleled mediator of conflict between family members and corporate shareholders and competitors, made possible by trust in his sense of fairness and equanimity with which he helped hurdle issues.

Most of all he was an amazing loyal friend. He was always there when needed. He remembered what was important often in context of history. His friends here and abroad love him on top of respect him. We shall stay worthy of that friendship by keeping the impact he made on the world, on the Philippines and the United States, on our own lives, forever alive in the caverns of our memories.

Thank you Washington Sycip. We will truly miss you.

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Message from Doris Magsaysay-Ho

Chair, Asia Society Philippines