Manuel “Manolo” M. Lopez, former chairman and CEO of power utility giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) passed away on Thursday, Jan. 12, at the age of 80, the family has announced.

Lopez, who is widely known in business circles as well as to Meralco employees and executives as “MML”, was the Philippine Ambassador to Japan during the Aquino administration (2010-2016). It was in that role that he greatly helped the Philippine government enticed many of the Japanese companies to invest in the Philippines.

A younger brother to the late ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr. and First Philippine Holdings Corporation Chairman Emeritus Oscar M. Lopez, Manolo led Meralco during its turbulent years because of a government-maneuvered takeover which forced the Lopez family to sell their shares to the group of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan in 2009.

In his retirement years, he was the torch guiding his sons on their respective corporate roles – primarily Martin “Mark” Lopez as chairman of ABS-CBN; Miguel “Mike” Lopez as senior vice president and treasurer of Rockwell Land; and Manuel “Beaver” Lopez Jr. as director of First Gen Corporation.

After the Lopez group downscaled its shareholdings in Meralco, Manolo still served as board director in the company until his retirement in May 2018.

When he bowed out of the company that year, he was paid with an overwhelming tribute by the executives and employees of Meralco – reminiscing his leadership years, as they fondly remembered him as the "most approachable” CEO and Chairman who served the company.

Lopez was given standing ovation after the showing of an audio visual presentation (AVP) depicting his "true nature" as “The Boss” and for being “one of them” in the Meralco family throughout his stint as board chairman, president and CEO of the utility firm.

He served the Meralco board for more than 32 years, and went on to become the company’s chief executive from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2010.

In extending their homage to Lopez, the Meralco employees and executives were mostly in tears while saying “Thank you MML”, the three letters that became a magic word at the Meralco business units for several decades.

They vouched about Lopez’ very hands-on management style from planning company events and even up to the extent of going with them on field at times of facilities’ restoration when natural calamities strike.

Lopez has been widely credited for the “culture of malasakit” (caring for others) which became the hallmark of Meralco when it was still under the charge of the Lopez family. It has also been the promise of the current Meralco leadership to have that nurtured and for it to flourish in the generations to come.

He is survived by his wife Maritess; children and in-laws Maita & Jorge; Beaver; Mike & Chris; and Mark & Connie; as well as his grandchildren Isabella, Bettina, Miguel, Martina, Manu, Andreas, Jack and Luis.

His wake will be at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City; while a Memorial Service will be held in his honor on Tuesday, Jan. 17.