The WSGNT is a garden of native trees proposed by Daniel Zuellig, director of BRC, to honor Dr. Washington SyCip, founder of Asian Institute of Management and the premier auditing and consultancy firm in the country, Sycip Gorres Velayo and Company (SGV & Co.).
Zuellig proposed to develop a park on campus in honor of SyCip as an expression of gratitude for his contributions to the country and to education.
The participants planted five species of native trees in the planting site—Kalumpit (Teminalia microcarpa Combretaceae), Magtungaw (Syzygium sp. Myrtaceae), Puso Puso (Actinodaphne multiflora Lauraceae), Tuai (Bischofia javanica Bischofiaceae) and Molave (Vitex parviflora Verbenaceae). Afterwards, executives and guests transferred to Bahay ng Alumni for the formal program.
SyCip is among the University’s most generous donors. In 2001, UP conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, “for his distinguished leadership in business and management that built the impressive network known as the SGV Group, the largest and first truly Filipino multinational company.” (UPdate, May-June 2001 issue, p. 3)
Zuellig also said he plans to involve students from various schools in Manila in other future tree planting activities at UPD to create awareness on the uniqueness of UPD and the importance of the propagation of native trees.
Among the participants in the activity were (from left to right) Elizabeth “Chickie” Locsin of Zuellig, who delivered the welcome remarks; Naomi Bellosillo of the Department of Education (DepEd), Dr. Ronald S. Banzon, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, San Beda College Alumni Foundation Inc. (SBCAFI) president; Architect Edgardo Aguila of SBCAFI; Kasigod V. Jamias, Philippine Export-Import Credit Agency director; Dr. Edgardo D. Gomez, Professor Emeritus and the first director of The Marine Science Institute; and (not in photo) Imelda Sarmiento, Philippine Organizing Committee deputy-general.
Eulogio Rodriguez Integrated School students performed an interpretive dance as an intermission number. —H.C.P.
