Former SU Trustee JOS, 87, takes the final journey home
JULIO SY, SR, nicknamed “JOS” by the members of his huge business family, went on to embrace the everlasting gift of peace from his Father in Heaven in the evening of August 11, 2020 in Manila. He was 87.
Dr. Sy served his Alma Mater, Silliman University, as trustee for 21 years. He was a founding member of the Silliman University Foundation, Inc. (SUFI) and has been the SUFI’s dedicated representative to the Board of Trustees. In this capacity, he had witnessed many challenging times which became opportunities for him to be a major force behind the extended aids and rescue programs. He was also there to celebrate national and international glories by the University’s brilliant minds and motivated them to achieve more by extending the needed support in their undertakings.
Dr. Sy was a self-made man with his very creative and hardworking mother, Ong Chee Tee, as an inspiration. It was not an easy climb to success for him. In his own words, when his beloved Alma Mater honored him with a Doctor of Humanities honoris causa on August 26, 2015, he expressed: “…as an 11-year-old during the Japanese occupation, we could not afford to buy rice. Eating my favorite rice puto meant the world to me. I would wait along the sidewalks for cargo trucks loaded with rice to pass by. Back then, rice was packed in jute bags and often grains would fall out from the gaping holes. I would sweep the dirt from the street and patiently separate the grains to give to Mama for her to cook my rice puto.” He learned to value hard work. With borrowed capital, he established businesses. He continued with a realization, “…who would have imagined my life would lead to be in business dealing with food commodities I hungered for as a child: rice, sugar and vegetable oils.” He taught his audience a lesson on that day of jubilation, “…no matter what circumstances you are born with, you should never stop dreaming…Entrepreneurship has been my calling. I have been blessed to use this talent to contribute to society and nation-building.”
He publicly acknowledged, on several occasions, that his Silliman education was a major key to his success. Armed with it and the value of labor that his mother taught him and the keen eye for business that he nurtured at an early age, he successfully brought his businesses to strengths stable enough to compete in today’s global arena. One of his favorite stories during high school class reunions was going to Zamboanga for a field trip. While his classmates were shopping for souvenirs and pasalubong, he brought home two sacks of lanzones which he sold for extra money.
Dr. Sy was President of BUSCO Sugar Milling Co., Inc. and the New Bian Yek Commercial Inc. He was also chairman and director of various businesses: Agila Farms, Inc.; Bacong Arrastre and Stevedoring Corporation, Bayview Park Hotel, Inc.; Cebu International Finance Corporation; Consolidated Agri Management Corporation; Dumaguete Business Park, Inc.; Dumaguete City Development Bank, Inc.; Dumaguete Coconut Mills, Inc.; HIDECO Sugar Milling Co., Inc.; July Development Corp.; July Lighterage Corp.; Jurong Engineering (Phil) Inc.; Lorenzo Shipping Corporation; Maayo Holding, Inc.; Makati Agro Trading, Inc.; Orient Foods Industries, Inc.; Pampanga Sugar Development Co., Inc. (PASUDECO); and Victoria Quality Packaging Company, Inc. He received the Outstanding Sillimanian Award for his achievements in Business in 1971.
Dr. Sy’s generosity in Christian service had helped not just Silliman University but also Holy Child Hospital, Dumaguete Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Philippine Sugar Millers Association, the YMCA, Philippine Mental Health Association, Boy Scout of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, the Dumaguete Lions Club and many more. He received a Philippine Presidential award as Outstanding National Citizen and the Philippine National Red Cross honored him with the Aurora Aragon Award for his perpetual support to the organization.
His body now lies at the Heritage Chapel in Taguig. He is survived by his loving wife Anesia Dy Sy, his daughters Hon. Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong and Jeanne Sy-Krebs; sons Julio Jr. and Jonathan; and grandchildren. The memorial service on Sunday, August 16 will be livestreamed via Zoom from Manila.
