Many people fondly remember the late Don Emilio Yap as a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, devoted family man, kingmaker, and a man who cherished loyalty and friendship. Personally, I remember him for these defining qualities.

First was his remarkable restraint in speech, a reflection of his deep respect for the sensibilities of others. Don Emilio could be endlessly engaging when recounting stories about people and events. Yet he was always careful never to utter a word that might tarnish a person’s good name or reputation. It was this same restraint that he wanted the Manila Bulletin to embody.

When Don Emilio invited me to write a regular column for the Manila Bulletin, he cautioned me to be mindful of what I wrote. He said, “A newspaper is not a factory of gossip, baseless rumors, and hearsay. I chose to head this media firm to help in nation-building, not to amass profit by publishing blind items and insinuations that destroy people and institutions.”

As a publisher, Don Emilio earnestly upheld fairness, truth, and decency in journalism. To prevent even the slightest semblance of bias, falsehood, or sensationalism in Manila Bulletin, he personally studied and edited the daily headlines, banner stories, and editorials before the paper went to the press. He ignored critics who found the newspaper’s headlines dull and unexciting. For him, intrigue does not elevate the truth; it degrades it and makes it appeal not to reason, but to our baser instincts.

His advocacy for balanced and responsible reporting is even more relevant today, as the values that once governed the mass media are being overshadowed by fake news and salacious intrigue. Before allowing any controversial issue into print, Don Emilio would ask: “Is this true? Will it help readers understand the issue better? Will it unjustly damage the reputation of innocent people?” Today, many editors ask instead: “Will we be sued if we publish this?”

Second, Don Emilio exemplified an entrepreneur whose loyalty to his country never wavered. He fought tirelessly to keep the Manila Hotel in Filipino hands, even elevating the issue to the Supreme Court in hopes of overturning a decision by government officials intent on selling this national treasure to foreign interests. In one conversation, he recounted how he vehemently rejected a proposal from a prominent politician to convert the Manila Hotel into a casino. He vowed never to allow it, even if gambling has become a major attraction for many hotels today.

Don Emilio abhorred gambling. He believed it led to the destruction of families. He once told me, “Gambling is addictive. Many parents abandon their families because of this vice. Young people who become hooked on gambling see their futures destroyed. Couples separate when their savings are drained. When families are destroyed, the country follows.” The tragic lives of countless gambling addicts offer overwhelming proof of his logic.

As former Rector of the University of Santo Tomas, I recall with fondness the solemn ceremony in which we conferred upon him the Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law, following the unanimous decision of the Academic Senate. When I informed him of the honor, he appeared almost mortified and asked, “What have I done to deserve this?” I replied that he was being honored not so much for what he had done, but for what he had become.

In the eyes of the Academic Senate, Don Emilio had become a towering figure in nearly every field of human endeavor he ventured into. He possessed the rare ability to combine integrity with astuteness. He used his God-given gifts to make a meaningful difference in the world. I told him that by granting him the academic distinction, the university itself was ennobled. As the Latin dictum aptly states: “Honor est in honorante.” (Honor resides in the one who bestows it.)

Finally, I remember Don Emilio as a man who poured his entire soul into everything he undertook, sometimes alienating those who are content with mediocrity. He was a dynamic leader who always remained firmly at the helm. Even in death, he was very much in control, choosing the moment of his departure with the same quiet resolve that marked his life. He left this world as he had lived in it: with restraint and grace, confident in the belief that in death, life is changed, not ended.

Don Emilio Yap had his share of faults and imperfections. Yet, to this day, his memory lingers in my mind. He embodied a man who lived with courage, and dignity. A life like that does not truly fade. It endures, instructs, and inspires.