On September 16, 2021, at 4:35 pm, a former colleague from International Exchange Bank announced in our Viber group the passing of Mr. Ramon Y. Sy.
This was my reply. This was me. . .
HUMILITY and PERSEVERANCE. I was 20 years old when I joined United Coconut Planters Bank. There were two (2) things Mr. Ramon Y. Sy, President, said during the orientation program that I can still vividly remember.
He shared that he was a working student. He washed his white polo uniform daily before going to work in the morning, then attended his classes at night. After graduation, he was offered a job as a regular employee where he worked as a messenger. The rest is history. Dreams do come true; you just have to work hard for them.
And, there’s nothing a tenured employee can do that a new hire cannot. So, as long as we are willing to learn and be dedicated to it, we will be able to do things.
SERVICE LEADERSHIP. On April 28, 2000, iBank experienced heavy withdrawals due to hearsay that the Bank, same as that of another Bank that went on a “bank holiday,” did not have enough cash any more. Mr. Sy, together with the other senior officers of the Bank, visited the branches until the wee hours of the night to offer/distribute food to the customers waiting for their withdrawal transactions. He was visible. He was there to serve. He was felt.
GIVING BACK. A family friend, who is now a Judge, commented on one of my FB posts, “I don’t know him personally, but I can attest to his philanthropic deeds since I was a recipient of his scholarship when I was in my first year at the FEU Institute of Law.”
He does not forget. He gives back. He pays forward.
The truth is, I never had a lone moment with him. He may not even know my name nor remember who I was. But Mr. Sy is an inspiration. He has an impact on who I am today, as a subordinate, as a leader, as a human being.
Thirty years ago, he asked a group of newly hired employees, “Who graduated from FEU?” Only two employees raised their hands. Then, with gusto, he said, “That’s THE SCHOOL!”.
I will always be a proud TAMARAW!
Writing, not with a pen, but with my heart,
Christine Ching-Renton
B.S. Psychology, 1987-1991
President, Psychological Society, 1990-1991
Secretary, IAS Alumni Association, 2018 – present