A SOCIETY derives its strength and resiliency from the interlacing of the toil and hope of its people. When one compatriot achieves honor, success and recognition, something of the greatness is shared by us. We are delighted no matter how muted our appreciation, in the accomplishments of any of our appreciation. And this is true of every people, especially within the ethnic community-the Capainpangan community.
This is the emotion that our Cabalen feel in this moment of grief upon the untimely passing of a great son: Liberato P. Laus. Yet, such profound sorrow does not arise solely from his success as an entrepreneur but more so to his unfinished socio-civic crusade. This is a missionary vacuum difficult to fill in this era of waning social consciousness aggravated by widespread incompetence and lack of integrity in public governance.
In assessing the lifetime achievement of Sir Levi, I am again reminded of that Water Beetle “who walks on the water with ease and grace but if he would step and think how he did it—he meld surely sink.” The Water Beetle does not pause to ponder the dynamics that keep him afloat and graceful because it will drown him if he does.
The missionary clock of Sir Levi as an entrepreneur and countryside development advocate, like that Water Beetle, never stops ticking although he takes a pause along the way during inclement weather to protect the house against the eye of the storm. In that sense, Sir Levi is an unstoppable Libertarian Visionary: one who believes in the fullness of man's freedom of thought, expression and action in pursuing one's dream. President Dadong Macapagal likens a libertarian spirit to 'flaming determination' as a mode to achieving one's vision. Sir Levi is divinely imbued with that “flaming determination.” That he was christened Liberato is not merely coincidental. It is preordained.
To reflect upon the remarkable success story of Sir Levi. as an entrepreneur, public servant and philanthropist is to retrace his heritage as a young man, he witnessed with pride the sacrifices of his parents as vendors in the Old Public Market during the township day: of San Fernando together with other Fernandinus, these pioneer-vendors constituted the backbone of what is now a highly progressive and hopefully urbanized City of San Fernando. Surety, Sir Levi drew much inspiration from these hardworking pioneers. Indeed, it will be a fitting recognition to this trailblazers of commerce should the Old Commercial Distinct of San Fernando see redevelopment.
Anyway, one redoubtable legacy of Sir Levi is something that the Philosopher George Santayana once said and I quote, “A man's feet should be planted in his own country but his eyes should survey the whole world.” Indeed, in going about his lifetime passion—whether as businessman, public servant as well as countryside and social enhancement advocate, sir Levi's feet have always been firmly planted among his compatriots, especially among his Cabalen and rightly so because much of his success consists in understanding his people's needs and hope and envisioning it.
I am confident that those who he left behind will continue to carry aloft the torch that Sir Levi passionately keeps aflame in steering the status Group of Companies as its Chief Executive Officer.
In behalf of the senior sitizens of Pampanga, I extend our profound condolences to the good family of sir Levi.