War veteran and former ABS-CBN general manager and vice chairman Augusto “Jake” Almeda Lopez has passed away at the age of 95. His passing was first reported by ABS-CBN and Radyo 630.
Lopez was known as “the soul of ABS-CBN.” In a statement, ABS-CBN mourned the loss of its vice chair and pillar, describing him as a decorated war veteran who dedicated many years to building and rebuilding ABS-CBN.
Lopez served as the broadcast network’s vice chairman since 1989 and had been a member of the Lopez Group since 1961. He also served as the general manager of ABS-CBN in 1966 and became a board of director in 1988. Additionally, he served as the director of the First Philippine Holdings Corporation (FPHC), First Philippine Industrial Corporation (FPIC), and ADTEL Inc, as well as the Board Chairman of his family’s company, ACRIS Corporation.
Lopez was also among those who fought for ABS-CBN’s franchise. Details about his wake and funeral have yet to be announced, but a Holy mass and memorial service is scheduled at the Annunciation of our Lord Chapel or ABS-CBN Chapel on Monday noon.
