Aboitiz 'send-off' set on January 18

CEBU, Philippines - The cremated remains of Ernesto Aboitiz, former president of the National Power Corporation and a known civic leader, will be brought to the Cebu Memorial Park (Cempark) here in the city on January 18, right after a memorial Mass at the Redemptorist Church.

Aboitiz passed away last Wednesday at the age of 78 due to liver cancer.

He was diagnosed with the disease on the last quarter of 2009 before he succumbed to the complications, much to the grief of those whom he had helped while he was alive.

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will officiate the memorial Mass for Aboitiz at 3 p.m. on Monday.

The Aboitiz group, in a statement, said that Ernesto left an indelible mark on people with his sound advice, great mentorship and genuine friendship while the legacy he left behind offers both inspiration and challenge to those who would want to try to be like the great man as he had been.

Ernesto accomplished a lot in his lifetime which includes being a Papal awardee in 2006 when he was given the title Knight of St. Sylvester by the Holy See.

He was an active leader and supporter of various community and civic organizations.

He was co-chairman of the Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference Cebu chapter for almost 20 years and chairman and trustee for the Economic Development Foundation.

He was the director of the Aboitiz Power Corporation where he contributed to the expansion of the group. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)