DLSU unveils Jose T. Pardo AFSC Hall

De La Salle University formally presented the Jose T. Pardo AFSC Hall, a collaborative e-learning space located at the 5th floor of the Henry Sy, Sr. Hall, on April 24. The venue is named in honor of outstanding Lasallian, public servant, and business magnate Br. Jose “Titoy” T. Pardo AFSC (GS ‘52, HS ‘56, BSC Accounting ‘60, MBA ‘65), whose 82nd birthday coincided with the event.

The Pardo children, led by eldest daughter Yvette Pardo-Orbeta and husband JP, Dianne Pardo-Aguilar and husband Jude, Tina Pardo-Harne and husband James Barbie Pardo-Tiangco with husband Cong. John Rey, and Ignacio Pardo, and the Pardo grandchildren witnessed the virtual ceremony. 

The event commenced with a Eucharistic celebration officiated by DLSU alumnus Fr. Ramon U. Merino (BSIME ‘84), was attended by the Brother Visitor of the Lasallian East Asia District Br. Armin Luistro FSC, De La Salle Philippines President Ed Chua, DLSU Board of Trustees members, and DLSU administrators led by President Br. Raymundo Suplido FSC. The honoree’s friends and colleagues who are veritable who’s who in the business, government, and civic circles also attended the celebration.

The Jose T. Pardo AFSC Hall will be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for university events, conferences, discourses, and virtual learning activities.

In his message, Br. Titoy shared, “there is no way to go back to the old ways of doing things … we need to future proof our learning.” The Jose T. Pardo AFSC Hall will now play a significant role in molding younger minds and transforming future leaders, innovators, and change makers.

The donation was made by the Pardo children in celebration of the 80th birthday of Br. Titoy, two years ago.

About the honoree

Br. Titoy has an impressive experience in public service, which includes his cabinet posts as secretary of the Department of Finance and Department of Trade and Industry.  He also led various government posts from 1992 until 2001 such as being the chair of the Phil. Deposit Insurance Inc., Trade and Investment Development Corp., and Council of ASEAN Trade Ministers; and as member of the Bangko Sentral Monetary Board. 

He remains a prominent figure in the business sector, where he currently serves as Chairman and Independent Director of several business entities such as the Philippine Stock Exchange, Philippine Savings Bank, Philippine Seven Corporation, and other notable banking and holding companies.  

He also had an extensive civic involvement with the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others. He served in varying leadership capacities in many organizations and foundations, among them the EDSA People Power Commission, Philippine Franchise Association, and Museo Pambata Foundation, Inc. 

For his visionary leadership and outstanding contributions, he has earned numerous honors, awards and distinctions from national award-giving bodies and educational institutions which include, among others:  The Outstanding Filipino Award for Business, The Outstanding Young Men Award, the Man of the Year Award, the President Roxas Memorial Award, and our very own DLSAA Distinguished Lasallian Award. He also earned a knighthood from the Holy See—as Papal Knight of St. Sylvester.

With his invaluable contribution to the furtherance of the Lasallian Mission and his unwavering support for the work of the Institute of the Christian Brothers, he was granted the Institute Letters of Affiliation of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in 2014.