Go with God, Sir Bobby!

“A man after God’s own heart” that is how King David is described in the Bible.  And I cannot help but equate Roberto Eduardo “Bobby” Aboitiz with that description as I have witnessed his painstaking work in community development and nation building.

In his youth, Sir Bobby had his own share of adventures,  that may have opened his eyes further to the realities of poverty, environmental degradation, suppression of rights, and the need for empowerment be it in women, the youth or any of the oppressed. 

Even though I have not worked under him or directly with him in his programs, for the many years that I was with the Philippine Business for Social Progress, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Eduardo Aboitiz Studies Center and the Aboitiz Group Foundation Inc., I have experienced how Sir Bobby, and the Aboitiz family have made it their business to take care of the communities where  they are, and that means, taking care of the whole country at large.  Poverty alleviation, sustainable countryside development, education, policy advocacy, reforestation and ecological protection, water conservation, judicious use of energy,  health and wellness, and the list goes on.

In spite of my very minimal participation in meetings in Mega Cebu, it would surprise me that Sir Bobby would still call me by name, even if my attendance was very sporadic.  And it made me wonder how he could keep track of all of us.  Differentiating faces from the many people he would meet.  And I have noticed the same approachable demeanor is present in almost every Aboitiz kin, despite the seemingly  intimidating resonance of their family’s influence.  I say seemingly because when you get to know them, you will note that they are as down to earth as Don Ramon.

The passion and concern for others has rubbed on to the succeeding generations,  of which I am once again grateful.   It has always been in my mind to express my gratitude to the Aboitiz’s for their heart for this kind of thankless endeavor.  Ever since I attended the 50-Year Anniversary RAFI, I have been bursting with gratitude for this family who have supported hundreds of programs and helped insurmountable individuals and their families through their empowerment programs.

Now, we have lost Sir Bobby, and we will surely miss him.  His purposive, yet open stance during meetings, his air of dignity and desire for what is good will be hard to duplicate.  But as King David, who was so loved by God has been promised a future, I know that Sir Bobby will be enjoying in God’s table.  And I pray that as we let him go, even if we still shed a tear or two when we remember him, may we  carry that smile of knowing that ultimately He is indeed with God.