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The Saga opens with a Prologue giving us an unforgettable and touching scene surrounding the burial of Don Eugenio on July 14, 1975. In the Martial Law years, bereft of fortunes and power, the Lopez family was abandoned by "sunshine" friends except for a time-tested few. Don Eugenio made his name synonymous with Filipino entrepreneurship. His death signaled more than the passing of a great Filipino mogul of industry. It symbolized the smooth take over of the mantel of entrepreneurial leadership by his sons and daughter who are sustained by the new forces propelling a modernizing nation state and the rapidly emerging new age of information and technology. Particularly absorbing is the chapter on the Escape, recounting Geny's and Serge Osmeņa's arduous and extremely dangerous bid to freedom. Here the author is at his best in his treatment of the narrative laden with drama and suspense, which bears remarkable resemblance to the TV film series, entitled "Mission Impossible".
Using long quotation whenever possible, the author chooses to allow his subjects to speak for themselves or to explain themselves in order to make his subjects come alive. In many instances, he also describes skillfully his main subjects through the eyes of relatives, friends and colleagues, and thereby enabling the readers to discern the innermost feelings and deep thoughts of the key members of the family. His lucid account has resulted in a richly textured and in-depth portraits of Kapitan Eugenio, Don Benito, and Doņa Presentacion and their two sons: Eugenio and Fernando, (who shared the misfortune of absence of a father the critical, formative years of their youth which caused both accept DonVicente as their loving father,) Doņa Nitang and the fourth generation: Geny, Oscar, Presy, Manolo, and Robby and the fifth generation: Gabby, Gina, Cedi, Piki, Jenny, Jay and their cousins.
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The author has given us a great deal of fresh insights which will help the readers understand the dynamics of the inter-generational relationship, father, sons and daughter relationships, the inseparability of the brothers - Eņing and Nanding, the unceasing devotion of Don Eugenio to Doņa Nitang, the closer ties among the cousins and the shared family values that are extolled and passed on from one generation to another. If there is one key family value that sets the Lopez family apart from many indigenous Filipino entrepreneurial families, it is the family solidarity and cohesiveness.
Succinctly, the author has taken a glimpse into character and spirit of the exceptional Lopez women. They are not only women (old and young and those in between) of many parts but, also exhibit the virtue of strong-willed individuals. All we need to remember in this regard is what Manuel L. Quezon on one memorable occasion in Iloilo said: "The Lopez women are like tigers, the Lopez men are like lambs." In the seventies, the twists and turns of political development turned the Lopez men (young and old) into heroic human beings: never did they succumb to defeat vis-ā-vis their political oppressors. Eugenio Jr. or Geny prophesized that someday a Lopez woman would be at the helm of expanding frontiers of the Lopez business empire.
In explaining the combination of factors that accounts for the success of the family corporate business, education obtained in formal institutions such as UP, Ateneo de Manila, Assumption, Harvard, VMI John Hopkins, U of Penn., Bowdoin and Newton to mention but a few, was a key factor. The other factors are deeply embedded in the family traditions and values of hard work, truthfulness, discipline, keeping one's word, prodigious energies and philanthropic activities. Still another basic ingredient of success lies in the sound business philosophy as defined by Don Eugenio and well articulated by Eugenio Jr. and Oscar. Aside from innovativeness and meritocracy, equally important is innate ability of the key to spread ones' risk through diversatisfaction and to recognize the proper time in selling out moribund business enterprises. Just like in Meiji Japan, the interplay of politics and business concerns, could often lead to growth and expansion of the business undertakings or spell serious difficulties for the enterprises. And lastly, sound management style, recruitment of the best minds and seasoned executives, human resource development and abiding commitment to service are weighty factors to be taken into account.
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Adapted: Unitas, 2 September 2001. An Insightful Scholarly Endeavor by Serafin D. Quiason
National Historical Institute, Philippines
Lopez Memorial Museum » The Lopez Reader: PHOENIX: The Saga of The Lopez Family: 1800-2000
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