THEY just buried the mortal remains of an industry pillar, Dr. George S.K. Ty. He was 86 years old. My family’s humble salutations.
Dr. Ty belonged to the pioneers who helped engineer the unprecedented growth of the Philippine economy from the 1960s onward. His visionary instincts propelled him to venture into heights that were deemed too risky to explore because that was a time when the country was still struggling to rise from the painful ruins of the last World War. From the national level, he looked beyond borders and dared to expand his foresight internationally—with immense success. He was an innovator and a discoverer all rolled into one, an intrepid soul who challenged the future head-long. Indeed, the future belongs only to the brave.
Here’s a brief on Dr. Ty from Metrobank:
“Dr. George S.K. Ty established Metrobank in 1962. He grew the bank and expanded its reach internationally. He went beyond banking and transformed the bank to a diverse business conglomerate with successful joint ventures like that of the Toyota Motor Corp., AXA Insurance and Orix Metro Leasing, to name a few. The Metrobank Group counts as its members 18 domestic subsidiaries, partners and affiliates in various industries and 32 foreign branches, subsidiaries and representative offices.
“Dr. Ty has been de facto Chairman Emeritus as early as 2008 as his sons, Arthur and Alfred, headed the many companies in the group in his stead.
“Dr. Ty was recognized not only for his exemplary achievements in business but also for his generous philanthropy through the Metrobank Foundation. His commitment to contribute to the Philippines’s economic prosperity, as well as to nation-building will continue to be lived by the Group.”
Dr. Ty’s love for the Filipino people is embodied in this immortal quote from him: “It has been my life’s greatest honor to work alongside you toward achieving success for generation after generation. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.”
I had shaken Dr. Ty’s hand just once. That was enough. History was in that handclasp.
If not for Dr. Ty, I wouldn’t be friends today to such a decent slew of intellectuals and good men like Vince Socco, Danny “Sir John” Isla, Raymond T. Rodriguez, Jing Atienza, Sherwin Chua Lim, Carlo Ablaza, Sonny Guerrero, Jose Ariel Arias, Ariel de Jesus, Rommel Gutierrez, Elijah Marcial, Jade B. Sison, Dax Avenido and Tini Arevalo, to name but a few, whom Dr. Ty had all taken under his wings and nurtured their talents and skills to become topnotch soldiers at Toyota, Lexus and now also the Toyota Technology School in Santa Rosa City, Laguna.
Of course, Alfred Ty merits more than a special mention, the late patriarch’s prodigious son whom Vince Socco, the veritable eagle-eyed Toyota top gun, affectionately continues to refer to as “your baggage boy” at London’s Heathrow Airport in a most moving, unforgettable four-city swing we had in Europe in 1996. Was I flattered no end by Alfred’s kindly ways at Heathrow. I knew then that he’d one day be a tai-pan himself, like his young buddies in this momentous journey that included Hans Sy (SM), Lance Gokongwei (Robinsons) and Willie Ocier (Liberty Telecoms)—all industry captains in their own right now.
Ah, Alfred. Your boyish grin then has remained etched in my mind.
In reciprocity for Alfred’s uncalled for kindness, I seized my chance: I carried some of Alfred’s boxes of Italian shoes after a buying binge of his in Rome, not far from the famed Spanish steps. Life. It’s a give-and-take affair, indeed.
PEE STOP My dear friend, Dave Macasadia, will retire soon as chief of SsangYong. Because he said he will do it for his family, the more reason that I have to support his decision wholeheartedly. “I need to finally spend more time with my family than with anyone else,” he said. “I’ve been away too long.” There is such a time when it’s time to call it a night. Postponing our love for family is the most cruel thing to do to yourself, if not to your wife and children. All the best, Dave! I have your back covered. Anytime you want me, I’m just a text away.… Happy birthday to Bonifacio M. Sison (November 30), my “glass mate” for the longest time. Many happy returns of the day, panyero!… Welcome home, Tito and Baby Laurel. The couple from New York City are here once more for their annual taste of Christmas holidays, Filipino style. Cheers!…I’ll be based in Baguio’s well-loved Baguio Country Club from Novovember 28 to December 15 to work once more as Rules Man with my perennial partner, Jake P. Ayson, for the Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament at both Camp John Hay and BCC. This has been made possible for more than a decade now by BCC GM Anthony de Leon and CJH’s Steve Allen. Thank you for the trust, fellas.… Toyota has been a consistent backer of the Fil-Am golf through mostly hole-in-one prizes. Mabuhay!
Image credits: Metrobank