Washington SyCip facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Washington SyCip
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SyCip at Club Filipino in San Juan in 2008
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| Born | 30 June 1921 Manila, Philippine Islands
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| Died | 7 October 2017 (aged 96) |
| Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas Columbia University |
| Occupation | Accountant |
| Known for | Founder of the SGV Group and Asian Institute of Management |
| Spouse(s) | Anna Yu |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Albino SyCip Helen Bau SyCip |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942-1945 |
| Battles/wars | Burma Campaign (World War II) |
Washington Z. SyCip (born June 30, 1921 – died October 7, 2017) was a very important accountant. He was a Chinese-Filipino-American citizen. He started a big accounting company called EY SGV & Company. He also helped create the Asian Institute of Management, a famous business school.
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Early Life and School
Washington SyCip was born in Manila on June 30, 1921. His parents were Albino and Helen SyCip. His father, Albino SyCip, helped start Chinabank in 1920. Washington was named because his father was in Washington, D.C. when he was born.
He lived in Shanghai for a while when he was young. He went to Padre Burgos Elementary School and Victorino Mapa High School. He was very smart and skipped three grades in elementary school!
Washington SyCip finished his college degree in commerce at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). He was only 17 years old and graduated with summa cum laude honors. This means he had extremely high grades. He even taught at UST while studying for his master's degree. At 18, he passed the exam to become a Certified Public Accountant.
In 1940, he went to the United States to study at Columbia University in New York. He finished almost all his studies for a higher degree. But then World War II started, and he couldn't finish his final paper.
World War II Service
When World War II began, Washington SyCip learned that his father was held captive in the Philippines by Japanese forces. He decided to change his plans. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Army. He became a U.S. citizen in 1943.
He was sent to Camp Cooke, but they told him he was "overqualified" for regular soldier work. This was because he had the highest IQ in his group! He then studied the Japanese language in Colorado. He also learned about cryptography (code-breaking) in Virginia. After his training, he was sent to Calcutta, British India. There, he worked as a codebreaker, helping to understand secret enemy messages.
Building a Career
After World War II, Washington SyCip left the U.S. Army. He returned to Manila when he was 24 years old. At first, he taught accounting at the University of Santo Tomas and two other colleges. He thought about joining a British accounting company. But he decided against it because only a white person could become a business partner there.
In March 1946, he started his own company called W. SyCip & Company. He began with just a desk in his brother's law office. Later, he teamed up with Alfredo M. Velayo and Vicente O. José. They formed SyCip, Velayo, José & Company. This company grew and became what is now known as SGV & Company (SGV).
By 1958, SGV was the biggest accounting firm in the Philippines. It even became larger than the biggest British company working there at the time. Washington SyCip stopped being the chairman of SGV in 1996. But he stayed involved with the company until he passed away.
In 1968, he also helped create the Asian Institute of Management in the Philippines. He was the chairman of its board of trustees and governors. He also led the Euro-Asia Center of INSEAD, a top business school in France.
His Passing
Washington SyCip died on October 7, 2017. He was on a Philippine Airlines flight from Manila to Vancouver. His son, George SyCip, and an assistant were with him. He passed away before the plane reached Vancouver.
His Lasting Legacy
Today, SGV & Company (SGV) is still the largest accounting firm in the Philippines. It checks the financial records for about half of the companies listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange.
The Washington SyCip Park in Makati, Metro Manila was named after him. This happened on his 85th birthday to honor him.
The Ayala Foundation and the Jollibee Group Foundation also started a special scholarship. It's called the "INSEAD Washington SyCip Scholarship." This scholarship helps Filipino MBA students and honors SyCip's memory.
Awards and Honors
Washington SyCip received many awards for his achievements:
- Doctor of Philosophy, an honoris causa (special honor) from De La Salle University (1977)
- Doctor of Accounting Education, an honoris causa from the University of Santo Tomas (1984)
- Officer First Class of the Order of the Polar Star (1987)
- Philippine Legion of Honor, Degree of Commander (1991)
- Doctor of Laws, an honoris causa from the University of the Philippines Diliman (2001)
- Doctor of Science (Management), an honoris causa, Holy Angel University (2010)
- Order of Lakandula, Rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) (2011)
- Ramon V. del Rosario Award for Nation Building (2012)
- Doctor of Laws, an honoris causa from the Ateneo de Manila University (2012)
- Order of the Rising Sun, Second Class, Gold and Silver Star, Japan (2017)
Personal Life
Washington SyCip was married to Anna Yu. They had three children together: Victoria, George, and Robert.
