Washington SyCip: A Philippine icon
Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa confers The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star on Washington SyCip.
At 96, Washington “Wash” SyCip is still sprightly and sharp, attending meetings and conferences, going to parties and socializing with friends from business, society, government and the diplomatic corps being an honorary Consul General of Austria.
His name has become synonymous with SGV — SyCip, Gorres, Velayo & Co. — the foremost name in the Philippines when it comes to accounting, tax transactions, auditing and a host of multidisciplinary services, which he founded in 1946. He is also the founder of the Asian Institute of Management, an international business school, which is one of the few in Asia that is accredited with the US-based Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB is acknowledged as the standard for business schools in the academic sphere.
Over the years, Wash has received numerous awards and recognitions for his exemplary leadership and his contribution towards efforts to reduce dropout rates among schoolchildren and provide them with the tools to fight poverty via education.
Just recently, Wash SyCip was honored with the Edmonds Award for International Understanding by the New York-based International House, a non-profit residence and program center for graduate students from all over the world who move on to become state leaders, Nobel Prize winners and global achievers.
The government of Japan also conferred on him The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star for his contribution in promoting stronger business relations between the Philippines and Japan.
“As a pioneer in the industry, Mr. SyCip has served as a business adviser to many Japanese companies in the Philippines through the SGV,” the citation went, also noting his commitment to foster friendly ties with the Japanese people dating back to the time when Wash “persuaded President Diosdado Macapagal to allow the very first branch of a Japanese bank to invest in the Philippine market.”
Wash is actually considered one of the old guards of the country as far as business and the economy is concerned, and he certainly deserves all the praise and accolades.
