Phinma founder Ramon V. del Rosario, 90

MANILA, Philippines - Ramo V. del Rosario Sr., considered by some as one of the founding fathers of Philippine industry, passed away last Sunday due to complications from cancer. He was 90. Mr. del Rosario entered the corporate world in the ’50s and became chief executive officer of IBM Philippines and Philamlife Insurance Co. In 1956, he founded Philippine Investment Management Consultants, Inc. (Phinma) with two associates. The firm was the first Filipino-managed investment company, and made cement its first foray. In recent years, Phinma has focused more on services, and in the last 52 years has grown into a group of 23 companies with interests in the energy, education, roofing, financial services, and property and shelter sectors. Mr. del Rosario was also one of the seven founders of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP). In a statement, the MAP, which has renamed its office Ramon V. del Rosario Sr. Center for Management Excellence, praised him as “ a true entrepreneur in spirit — and an outstanding career person as well — RVR is cited by his co-founders as the ‘brains’ that gave birth to MAP." In 1954, Mr. del Rosario brought Harvard Business School professors to the country to teach management courses. The program eventually led to the creation of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), where he was one of the founding trustees. The AIM honored him with the Ramon V. del Rosario Center for Corporate Responsibility for his efforts at promoting good corporate citizenship. The Center considers as its task the “management of corporate citizenship relative to the competitiveness of firms and its impact on society." One of the most memorable characteristics of Mr. del Rosario, AIM president Roberto de Ocampo said in an interview, was his “old school dignity, sense of propriety and correctness." An alumni of the De La Salle University, Mr. del Rosario was also honored by his alma mater on Nov. 12, 2006, when it renamed its graduate business school after him, citing his “catalytic role in Philippine industry." He also served ambassador for 14 years representing the country in Canada, Germany, and Japan. Mr. del Rosario’ remains currently lie in state at the National Shrine of Divine Child in La Salle Greenhills. Internment will be on Thursday at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque. - BusinessWorld