BEING ABLE to leave a legacy is both a privilege and grace, coming only with age and justified by respectable deeds throughout one’s life. Relatives of the late Juan Carlos Sr. (HS ‘29) would know that very well.
His eldest daughter Jeannie Abaya, son Jonny Carlos (HS ‘69), and grandson Jose Benjamin Carlos (HS ‘99) shared with The GUIDON more than a few insights and memories with their father and grandfather, respectively.
Juan Carlos passed away last July 15. He was supposed to turn 99 in October. He was part of Ateneo’s Sesquicentennial celebrations last year, as the oldest Atenean.
‘Dedication and faith’
All three interviewees agreed that the legacy left by Juan Carlos is deeply rooted in the devotion to the Sacred Heart and hard work.
Abaya said, “He repeatedly told us that we should always pray especially to the Sacred Heart to whom he attributed all his success and his blessings.”
Jonny Carlos pointed out that this devotion to the Sacred Heart extended beyond the family.
“Almost the entire ground floor of our building is occupied by a chapel he built. Today, there are masses being celebrated every noon from Mondays [to Fridays, and] it is always full, being attended by office workers in the vicinity,” he said.
Juan Carlos established the Foundation to the Sacred Heart which distributed novenas of the Sacred Heart and Saint Anthony worldwide. Their statues were also given to schools, hospitals, and churches that needed them for good reasons, according to Abaya.
Jose Carlos said, “The legacy he left is one of inspiration. He knew what he wanted in life and he worked really hard to get it. And through it all he never forgot to give thanks to the Sacred Heart.”
“Really, it [Juan Carlos’ legacy] can be summed up in just two words: dedication and faith.”
Popsie’s life examined
“I feel his greatest accomplishment was to show his children and grandchildren the value of hard work, perseverance, and complete faith in God [as] the ingredients to success,” Jonny Carlos said.
Meanwhile, Abaya said, “Being a very humble and poor man when he got married to our mom, he was able to become a very successful businessman.”
Juan Carlos was also responsible for the construction of known structures such as the SyCip, Gorres, Velayo & Co. offices, Meralco, Angat and Binga dams, and the Metrobank main office.
Jose Carlos said, “I think that his greatest accomplishment is that he was able to raise seven children and be there for his family including grandchildren and even great grandchildren who called him ‘Popsie.’”
“To be with your family and have them all respect you [three] generations down the line, that is an accomplishment.”
A mentor and idol
Abaya and Jonny Carlos said that their father was a mentor to them. “I always sought his advice for almost everything,” Abaya said. “We were very close up to about a few years prior to his demise.”
Jonny Carlos said, “He taught me a lot on business matters, especially since I was required to run the family business at a very young age, because he had to stay abroad during the martial law years.”
Jose Carlos viewed his grandfather as an idol, saying that he was a living example of reaching one’s goals through industry.
Presence at sesqui celebrations
Abaya was overwhelmed at the experience of being with her father at the sesquicentennial celebration of Ateneo last year.
“I was really so proud to have been one of those with him for that affair,” she said. “It was absolutely a very unique experience.”
Jose Carlos said he was glad to have shared that experience with his grandfather, his family, and everyone present in the celebrations. “He was there to show what a true Atenean could be if they worked hard,” he said.
Jonny Carlos expressed satisfaction at the recognition of his father’s achievements.
He said, “In my opinion, this was one of the highlights during the last year of his life.”
