Washington SyCip: ‘Going concern’ till the end
“Never give up. Always try to make things better. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Strive for excellence. Always pursue perfection. And you will find success.” These are some valuable lessons from Washington SyCip.
I first met Washington SyCip, SGV founder and business icon who calls himself “only a bookkeeper,” years ago when he was invited as FINEX guest speaker. FINEX usually gives a token of appreciation to its guest speakers. However, what’s unusual in this case was that, it was the Guest of Honor that donated a good sum to FINEX. How generous.
Fast forward, it’s been my honor and privilege to sit in the board of two publicly listed companies with Director Wash, how I call him. Director Wash’s generosity extends beyond money and also in terms of time and ideas.
MONEY. For Director Wash, education is “the greatest equalizer” to move out of poverty. Once he believes in a good cause, his money flows and nothing can stop him from pursuing it till the end. Nene Guevarra of Synergeia, whose goal is to help every Filipino child complete basic education, couldn’t get over it when Director Wash asked “Is P10 million enough for Synergeia?”
On his 90th birthday he donated 90 playgrounds in 90 schools for children. He even agreed to be in billboards and to do modeling. Why? It’s a way to raise funds for his educational advocacy. There are many more stories about his giving.
TIME. He was always on time. Not only on time, he arrives early for meetings. And once he accepts a responsibility, he will be present. Not only will he be present, he will make his presence felt. He attended the recent kickoff meeting of PNB strategic planning 2018-2020.
Director Wash has boundless energy. He will be present for meetings even if he just arrived from abroad. Not a moment lost. Each minute is precious. He regularly hosts dinner and goes to a number of events. I teased him that he has slowed down, which meant from attending two to three events seven nights a week, now it’s down to just one to two events still seven nights a week. He wore fashionable colorful barongs, all locally crafted. He practically started the “Buy Local” supporting Negros handmade crafts for his yearly Christmas gifts.
IDEAS. He actively participates and speaks his mind in meetings. With his vast network here and abroad, he knows what’s happening all around. In PNB, we always count on him for his ideas, wisdom and independence and he always takes a big-picture perspective. Always sharing his thoughts on how to help others. He never ran out of new ideas. When he found out that my sister Kay Jimenez is the “bamboo queen” (she has about 50 varieties of bamboo in Carolina Bamboo Garden), he broached the idea of planting bamboo for food and encouraged her to visit China.
In some of our last meetings, he would often remark, “my job is finished, I can retire”. And we will all echo “of course, not.” He said this again when PNB Director Doy Casuela, a longtime bachelor, got married after his consistent prodding: “When is the big day”? In the September PNB board meeting, I told Director Wash that he seem to be acting quite fast. His response was “Flor, that’s because I don’t have much time left.”
In accounting, companies are assumed to be on “a going concern basis.” Before he left for this fateful US trip, he called me to schedule a meeting upon his return. Ambassador Delia Albert was to arrange dinner with the German Ambassador next month. Executive Assistants Sylvia and Jshe said his schedule was already full for October and November. Director Wash, the accountant, truly lived on a “going concern” basis until the end and left “with his boots on”.
At the mass for Director Wash, son George eloquently spoke about his dad. Of his FAITH in the Filipino people, his HOPE for the country and his LOVE for the Philippines, especially the youth and how he did everything within his power to improve their lives.
Director Wash, you are successful and you have lived a life of significance. You have touched our lives, and thousands more. We miss you already!
Flor G. Tarriela is Chairman of Philippine National Bank. She was formerly undersecretary of Finance and the first Filipina vice president of Citibank N.A. She is a natural farmer and an environmentalist. You may reach her at
