BACOLOD City – Business tycoon Hans T. Sy was conferred the title of adopted son of Bacolod City and honorary mayor yesterday, January 30, as part of the 20th Bacolaodiat Festival.
The conferment ceremonies were led by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran.
Sy, chairman of SM Prime Holdings Inc., was accompanied by his children Harvey and Hanna Carinna.
Mayor Benitez said Sy, a distinguished member of the Filipino-Chinese community, has made exceptional contributions to economic development, business leadership, and philanthropy, serving as an enduring role model for community progress and innovation.
Sy, for his part, said he is deeply humbled to be conferred the titles of adopted son of Bacolod and honorary mayor during the city’s celebration of the annual festival.
“Bacolod has always held a special place in my heart and not only because my alma mater, La Salle, has a campus here. I am lucky to have met many college classmates from La Salle Taft who hail from this city, and who have remained my close friends through the years,” Sy said. “I am reminded of the values imparted by my father, Henry Sy, Sr., who was also honored by this city in 2017.”
He believed in inclusivity, in doing what is right, and the transformative power of working together towards the goal of a better tomorrow, “no matter how hard or unpopular the road we take may seem and these principles continue to guide me in all I do.”
Sy added that it is with this spirit that he had worked to support Bacolod’s growth, not just through business but also by contributing to programs that uplift the lives of its people through education, tourism, job generation and his personal advocacy – sustainability and disaster prevention programs that aim to shield Bacolodnons from natural calamities and unforeseen risks.
This year’s Bacolaodiat Festival commenced on January 28 and will run until February 2.
Bacolaodiat, a celebration to welcome the Chinese New Year in this city, was coined from the words “Bacolod” and “Lao Diat” (Chinese phrase for celebration). It is jointly held by the city government and the Chinese community of Bacolod annually in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year under City Ordinance 426, series of 2007./PN
