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seized upon his independence once he retired. And always, like the wise owl that he
is, he would not dish out the answer outright but would draw it out from us. In the
end, the decision or course of action would be ours alone and WS would just sit back
in his easy chair and nod his head.

This is a privilege that very few people have had—to be counseled by WS. His
wisdom is sought after by global and regional businessmen, politicians, civil societies,
educators, and even the religious. His knowledge is expansive and he continues to
be curious about anything and everything that is new. He is always on the lookout
for what is good in the Filipino, be it a talent, a product, a song, or a dream. Because
WS is all this, there was unanimity in the clamor for him to finally sit down with an
author and narrate his lifework so that others may learn from it.

With the AIM Scientific Research Foundation, the SGV Foundation in 2006
embarked on its most ambitious publication project to date—this biography of
SGV’s progenitor. It was a three-year labor of love, trust, and respect. At some point
we had to coax WS to stop remembering facts and stories because we had to end it so
that it could actually be published. But maybe he is, again, right in that there is still
no final chapter to write; that he has not stopped envisioning possibilities. Expect,
then, a sequel because Wash SyCip will definitely want to have the last word.

David L. Balangue
Chairman and President
Board of Trustees
SGV Foundation

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