Page 11 - WashingtonSyCip_Bio_Excerpt_2nd_Edition

PROLOGUE

For a very long time, the prevailing sentiment among business leaders and Wash’s
friends was that it would be important to have a biography of Wash written. They
believed it vital to document his significant impact on the Philippines’ economic
development throughout the past five decades. Unfortunately, every time the idea
was brought up to Wash’s attention, he invariably politely declined it.

th
At a breakfast meeting about three years ago, sometime after Wash’s 84 birthday,
another discussion with some close friends of Wash was organized. Ramon del Rosario
Jr., Bobby de Ocampo, Roy Navarro, Joey Cuisia, Dave Balangue, Marlu Balmaceda,
and I all agreed it was time to begin writing the book. Wash was invited to the
meeting, and he finally agreed to have his biography written on one condition—that
he would have the last say on what would be included in the book.

Together with SGV, the Asian Institute of Management searched for someone
Wash would feel comfortable working with to write the biography. We selected
Butch Dalisay, a columnist, University of the Philippines full professor, writer, and
professional editor. Wash then began to tell his stories, most of which are narrated in
this book. For such a long, eventful, and still active life, Dalisay patterned this book
on a chronological framework, broken up by occasional flashbacks and flash-forwards
as the narrative required.

AIM is one of the institutions Wash built up. Since AIM’s inception in 1968, Wash
has been its major guiding force. He devoted his time and resources to build the
Institute, and continues to help enhance its capability and reputation as part of his
lifelong commitment to develop socially responsible managers and leaders.

xi