Words move humans, like images do. Sometimes, words are even more powerful than images. I wrote this short prose, after reading a moving goodbye piece to one of the Philippines´ business geniuses who recently passed away, John Gokongwei (JG). That piece was written by a colleague-friend in the word weaving arena, a journalist named E. She published that on her Facebook page.
Before I stumbled upon E´s ”private” article, I´ve read about that news through articles shared on Facebook by another friend, R, who works with that company. The press release on the company´s Web site is as concise, detailed, and neutral as it could be for the world in general. It informs and gives what the public needs to know about JG – passing away at 93 years of age, who are the nearest family members he left behind, and the 75000 employees of the companies he founded, paying tribute to his legacy, of him as a pioneer in many business ideas that eventually succeeded, as well as ”his strong work ethic, his passion, and perseverance.”
While the other articles informed me, E´s words moved my emotions. Her words painted JG as a dynamic, and even a colorful human being who also happened to be a business genius. Through her words, I got a ”feel” of what kind of philantrophist he must have been, as the other business articles say about him.
I didn´t meet JG like E did thru her various news coverages, but E´s words about him and my own stock of knowledge about him over all these years, made me want to wish JG´s soul, too, ”Rest in peace,” after having done all that work in a span of 93 years.
So for history´s sake and the fact I consider him as a business genius with a good and big heart, even for the working class, I also give him a room here on my digital space, pruds.no. Godspeed, old man, old soul. May the angels take care of you now.
