Emanuel Soriano (Photo from the Facebook page of Rinna Soriano)
MANILA, Philippines — Emanuel Valdez Soriano, the 14th president of the University of the Philippines (UP), died on Saturday at the age of 87.
“Bob just passed away. I knew it when a bird sat on my side mirror as I was leaving,” his daughter, Rinna, said in a Facebook post, referring to Soriano by his nickname.
The UP administration ordered all Philippine and UP flags on its campuses flown at half-staff beginning on Saturday up to May 2.
Necrological rites are being held in his honor this week, the details to be announced shortly, current UP president Angelo Jimenez said.
Soriano served as UP president from 1979 to 1981, succeeding Dr. Onofre Corpuz in the position.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1959 and a master’s degree in industrial management in 1962, both from UP.
He served as vice president and acting president of the University Student Council from 1957 to 1958 and from 1958 to 1959, respectively.
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Soriano earned his doctorate degree in business administration from the Harvard Business School and was among the first group of Filipino faculty members sent to the United States for advanced studies in business.
He was a known supporter of then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., but in 1983, the year Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was assassinated, he wrote an open letter in the Business Day newspaper calling for the strongman’s resignation.
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Soriano was also a member of the Convenors Group that paved the way for the selection of Corazon Aquino, Ninoy’s widow, as the opposition candidate to challenge Marcos in the 1986 snap elections.
After Aquino assumed power, Soriano served as her national security adviser from 1987 to 1989.
He also authored several books and papers on business policy and management in Asia. The UP College of Engineering has recognized him as one of its 100 Outstanding Alumni.