Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko on Saturday, Jan. 14, condoled with the family of the late former Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel “Manolo” Lopez, who passed away due to an undisclosed reason.
“I offer my sincerest condolences to the bereaved family of Ambassador Manuel “Manolo” Lopez,” the envoy said in a Twitter post.
“A true trailblazer, we will cherish his incredible legacy and impact to our bilateral relations. May his soul rest in peace,” Kazuhiko wrote.
Aside from being ambassador to Japan during the Aquino administration, Lopez was the former chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of power utility giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco).
In his role as the Philippine envoy to Tokyo, Lopez campaigned for increased investments by Japanese companies in Philippine-based businesses.
The former envoy, who was 80 at the time of his death, was the younger brother of the late Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr., former chairman of ABS-CBN, and First Philippine Holdings Corp. chairman emeritus Oscar Lopez.
READ: Former Meralco Chairman Manuel Lopez passes away
He was the father of Martin “Mark” Lopez, chairman of ABS-CBN; Miguel “Mike” Lopez, senior vice president and treasurer of Rockwell Land and Manuel “Beaver” Lopez Jr., director of First Gen Corp.
He held other notable positions in his family’s corporations, including executive vice president of Benpres Corp. from 1973 to 1986 and of AFISCO Insurance Corp. from 1975 to 1982.
Lopez has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of the East and advanced studies in Harvard University's Financial and Management Development Program.
His family announced that his wake is being held at The Fifth at Rockwell, while a memorial service will be held on Jan. 17.
In lieu of flowers, the Lopez family requests donations to his chosen charities—Mary’s Way Foundation Inc. and ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc.