Eulogy of Henry Sy Jr. On Death of Daughter Jan Catherine Sy
HENRY SY JR – The SM Prime Chairman penned a heartfelt eulogy message over the death of his 29-year-old daughter, Jan Catherine Sy.
The Sy family is undeniably one of the most popular clans in the Philippines. The family’s late patriarch, Henry Sy Sr., was the founder of the SM Group of Companies which owns many of the biggest businesses in the country.
Henry Sr. was the richest person in the Philippines for more than a decade. Aside from his enormous wealth, many people admire his rags-to-riches story. Before becoming a billionaire, the Chinese-Filipino businessman started off with a shoe store.
visit: How Henry Sy Started SM With Only 10 Centavos?
In January 2019, Henry Sr. died. Currently, the chairman of SM Prime is his son, Henry Sy Jr. or also called “Big Boy”. Recently, a 29-year-old daughter of Big Boy, Jan Catherine Sy, died.
Reportedly, Jan Catherine died of sepsis, a health condition that causes damage to the tissues. Many were saddened by the passing of the horse-rider at a young age. She is the vice president of the SM Development Corporation (SMDC), the real estate arm of SM Holdings.
Henry Sy Jr. wrote a heartfelt eulogy over the death of his daughter, Jan Catherine Sy. He started by thanking everyone who showered his family with love, support, and prayers amid the trying times. He also thanked the doctors in their efforts to try save his daughter.
According to the SM Prime Chairman, it was Jan Catherine who took care of him and his wife amid the pandemic. She wanted to secure their health and well-being. He described her as “joyful, kind, and patient” to them.
Henry Sy. Jr. said that the “extraordinary turn of events” has left him broken. According to him, his main focus were money, relationships, and prestige and it was his daughter who asked her when she was still a little girl to come to church with her. His eulogy circulated on social media.
Full Eulogy of Mr. Henry Sy Jr. on Daughter Jan Catherine Sy’s Death
I wish to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support, prayers and striving beside me and my family, the doctors and medical teams, in the effort to save the life of my eldest daughter Jan Catherine Sy. Many of you responded to the timely need for transfusions over and over. For this we are deeply touched and grateful.
Jan being on lock-down with us during the past year in this pandemic was truly a gift. She took care of us her parents as most young people do especially of our health and well-being, our IT needs, and driving for us whenever needed, making sure we exercised as she skated beside us on our daily walks. She bought us bikes and helmets, encouraged us to swim, herself being such a disciplined health buff and athlete. She nagged us to eat healthy and sleep early. She was joyful, kind and patient with us her parents and the most wonderful to be around especially in the past few months even as she prepared for her wedding to Jack.
I cannot begin to explain the extraordinary turn of events that struck my family. All i can say is, it has broken me.
The proud man that I was was focused on 3 things of this earth. 1. Money w/c always was my main concern2. Relationships- perhaps my intense attachment to my family was also another form of idolatry3. Prestige- I took pride and satisfaction in accomplishments and being the best at what I do.
Jan since she was a little girl was the one who would keep asking me to come with her to church.
She grew up to be my EA at work and at home, and moreso the past year, made life so pleasant under the circumstances we all now face because of the pandemic.
By God’s grace and compassion, He allowed us to speak to Jan moments before she was intubated and she said she was ready to meet Jesus, giving a double thumbs up and then pointing to the sky saying “with Jesus”.
Jan loved God. and she loved everyone around her. She had so many plans to build places and spaces where those less fortunate can experience and enjoy things she herself being privileged, enjoyed growing up.
At this moment, I cannot see and understand why the Lord took her home at this point in her young life, but God’s message to me these past few days is clear— to trust Him with all my heart, not to lean on my own understanding, but in everything and all my ways, to acknowledge Him.
Yes, Jan was never mine to begin with. She was loaned to us for 29 years and what a beautiful gift she was from God. Her desire was for all to come to know her Saviour Jesus Christ, just as she did, when she accepted His free gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9) through the forgiveness of all her sins… through the Cross, believing in the finished work of Christ Jesus. (John 19:30)
We are comforted by the knowledge that she is rejoicing now and safe in His presence in heaven. She had this confidence and assurance from the very start. Jesus said,” I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me shall live, even if he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. (John 11:25-26)
My daughter Jan lives, and will never die. We can never lose her because she has eternal life in Jesus and no one can snatch her out of His hand. (John 10:27-30) Her physical body may have died but her soul and spirit now live safely in her new home in heaven where there are no more tears. In this, I and my family rejoice, take comfort and strength, and look forward with expectation to celebrating Jesus together with her someday in His perfect and appointed time. Meanwhile, being here on earth, the pain of separation, as sudden and frightening as it was, is real and unbearable. If not for the grace of knowing God’s promises, and the love and prayers and support of the body of Christ, we would be completely lost. Pls do continue to pray for me and my family as we go through this difficult time in our lives.
Thank you once again and we give all glory and praise to our good God and Heavenly Father. May He remind us truly to number our days and grant us a heart of wisdom. Cherish His blessings of family and loved ones. He gives, He takes, my heart will choose to say, LORD BLESSED BE YOUR NAME! (Job 1:21)
Thank you for visiting Philnews.ph. You may express your thoughts and reactions below through the comment section. You may also follow us on Facebook, on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel Philnews Ph.
READ ALSO: Jan Catherine Sy – Biography of Henry Sy Sr.’s Late Granddaughter