The First Philippine Holdings Group announces the passing on Saturday, 22 April 2023, of its former chairman emeritus Oscar M. Lopez. He was 93.
OML, as he was known, led FPH through its entry into the power generation business and its expansion into industrial estates. But his conviction that business must look beyond just the bottom line and consider its impact on society and the environment was years ahead of his time and will be his enduring legacy.
He served as the North Star, the inspiration, and guide for succeeding generations of Lopez Group executives and employees who learned to treasure and practice with him the group’s distinct core values: a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit, business excellence, unity, nationalism, and social justice.
OML was FPH chairman emeritus from May 2010 to October 2020 and was also the chief strategic officer. He was also the chairman emeritus of various companies such as Lopez Holdings Corporation, First Gen Corporation, Energy Development Corporation, First Balfour, First Philippine Industrial Park, Inc., First Philippine Electric Corporation, and Rockwell Land. He also held other positions in other Lopez Group Companies. He had been part of the Lopez Group in a directorship and/ or executive capacity for over 20 years.
OML studied at Harvard College and graduated cum laude (Bachelor of Arts) in 1951. He was conferred
the degrees of Doctor of Humanities honoris causa by the De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila
University in 2010, and Doctor of Laws honoris causa by the Philippine Women’s University (2009), as well as the University of the Philippines (2012). He finished his Masters of Public Administration at the Littauer School of Public Administration, also at Harvard in 1955.
