(A speech delivered by Domingo T. Chua, director of Philippine National Bank and chairman of Air Philippines, to introduce Dr. Lucio Tan during the program in his honor as adopted son and honorary mayor of Bacolod City.)

Being a genuine and native born Bacolodnon, it is indeed an honor to be given this opportunity to introduce a very respected and admired new Bacolodnon, an adopted son and honorary mayor of Bacolod City

Many things have been said about our guest of honor, the good things he has done for our community and our country. I think I do not have to elaborate on these. What I wish to talk about tonight is that, of all the thousands and thousands who benefited from the actions of our honored guest, I consider myself the greatest beneficiary of them all.

Why? First of all, he allowed me the honor of marrying his beautiful sister, my wife, Shirley. Secondly, he gave me the opportunity to be by his side all these years, through good times and bad. To share with him the hardships and the perseverance needed in doing business, the frustrations of failure and the sweetness of success. He also allowed me to share the many recognitions and honors that have been bestowed upon him. For example, the mere fact that I stand here before you tonight, to introduce him to my fellow Bacolodnons is a great privilege for me.

Ladies and gentlemen, in order to demonstrate more clearly how I feel, let me share with you a short story from my life; one that I've kept very personal. My sister, Lucy, knows about it but very few others know. In fact, this is the first time that I will reveal this in public.

My late father was an old-timer Bacolodnon. Before he passed away, he was personally involved in looking for his final resting place, one with good feng shui. We chose one in the Chinese cemetery here in Bacolod. At that time, my father told me: "Domingo, I want this site. See the feng shui? At the back is a mountain and it is facing the sea. One more important thing, do you see that tall building we are facing? It is the tallest building in Bacolod, the building of Philippine National Bank. It is the source of wealth, the symbol of strength and stability." This was how an ordinary citizen and businessman looked upon Philippine National Bank. Never in my imagination did I think that one of these days I will ever be involved with the rehabilitation of Philippine National Bank; the final rehabilitation of Philippine National Bank. This is one of the privileges our guest of honor has allowed me to share with him.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have the honor to introduce our guest of honor and speaker for tonight, Dr. Lucio Chua Tan.

Thank you.*

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