July-August 2012 - Manila Polo Club

TRIBUTERenato Paras1926- 2012A Life Well SpentAs shared by Mrs. Aurea “Aby” Paras, Johnip Cua,and Bert ManlapitPeople often say that Rene wasalready a “legend”, even whenhe was still alive. His merepresence exudes credibility andintegrity that inspires youngexecutives in the corporateworld. He has a witty sense ofhumor, but some would claimhe is as strict as he is witty.He could be your mentor andtormentor at the same time. Buthe is the man who always bringsout the best in people for theirtime to “shine”.Raised in Paco, Manila, Rene did not have a privileged life.He lost their father at the age of three. In elementary, hewent to a public school, moving to Araullo in high school. Tohelp his widowed mother, he started to work at the age of15 as a “runner boy” to President Jose P. Laurel during theJapanese occupation. In college, he majored in Accountingat the Far Eastern University (FEU). Rene was a brilliant man.He passed and topped the CPA board exams even before hegraduated. He was later sent by his alma mater as a scholarto Columbia University in New York, where he got an awardfor excellence in Auditing. To Rene, excellence was not anoption. It was the norm. And he expected and demanded itfrom everyone else he related with. He personified excellence.Rene was respected and admired for being the total personthat he was in things that mattered most in life—academically,professionally, spiritually, socially, and as a family-centeredperson.He was a scholar right from the very first time he steppedinside a school and right till he graduated in New York. Asa way of giving back, he taught accounting at FEU and laterbecame a member of the Board of Trustees until the time ofhis death.BY 2011-2012BY 2010-2011BY 1994-1995BY 1989-1990BY 1986-1987BY 1985-1986Member, Audit CommitteeVice Chairman, Audit CommitteeMember, Membership DirectorateMember, Townhouse DirectorateDirector & TreasurerMember, Membership DirectorateMember, Labor DirectorateMember, Finance DirectorateChairman, Treasury DirectorateChairman, Scholarship Program CommitteeMember, Finance DirectorateMember, Treasury DirectorateRene spent most of his career in Procter & Gamble where heworked for 39 years. He was the first Filipino Treasurer, FirstFilipino Finance and Accounting Manager, and First FilipinoDirector of the Finance and Accounting Department of Procter& Gamble.He is a member of several Clubs and was very active in each,despite the fact that Rene does not know any athletic sport.His mother was very protective that he was not to indulgein any sport as a child. So, he made sure all his children andgrandchildren learn how to swim because he himself did notknow how. He became a Proprietary member of the ManilaPolo Club in May 1980 and Life member in August 2010. Heserved in various committees and directorates of the Club. ForRene, family comes first no matter what and the Club playeda role in keeping the family together. It is a place for them torelax, bond and entertain guests. Even though Rene retiredabout fifteen years ago, he still remained very active in all ofhis clubs, attending meetings and gatherings.He lived a very simple, comfortable life. His only luxury isto travel with his family at least once a year. A very sociallyresponsible man, a part of his earnings goes to differentcharities every year. As a husband, he is very demonstrative ofhis love and affection. He is very thoughtful to everyone andremembers every birthday and death anniversary of friends.Rene died a peaceful death and did not suffer too much or toolong. Indeed he spent his life well not only for himself but foreveryone around him.26TRIBUTE