THE "Eagle" of the Laus Group of Companies will forever burn in the hearts of the many whose lives he touched with his kind and loving ways.
But now, as he again will be remembered after joining his Creator on April 25, 2019, on the occasion of his birthday on August 17, LausGroup Founder Levy P. Laus soars timelessly in oil on canvas, captured in a magnificent artwork by renowned painter Edu Perreras.
A gift from the employees of the Laus Group of Companies, the portrait of the Eagle was turned over to LausGroup executives and heirs president Paul Laus and executive director Diorella Laus, Chief Operating Officer Alfie Adriano and Jeanette Capati.
It will be part of the collection of the founder's memorabilia, which will be launched Tuesday, August 17 at the LPL Corporate Center along the LausGroup Complex located along Jose Abad Santos Avenue.
The painting enshrines the life of Laus, his vision, mission and strong advocacies for countryside development, love for Pampanga and his selfless service to its people, reaching out always to share his blessings of a lifetime.
Through the brush and oil, he becomes the perennial eagle in flight, scouting and exploring the skies and great beyond for every opportunity that will make life better for others and his countryside nest a bastion of development, a beacon of hope that eternally shines and guides people of all races and creed.
In his lifetime, Laus, the Eagle with colorful feathers and keen eyes that seizes every uplifting chance, has been branded as a tycoon, corporate statesman, public servant and community volunteer.
More importantly, he is a humanitarian, action man and prime mover as the founder and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Laus Group of Companies, founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., former head of the San Fernando Heritage Foundation, and the spirit behind a host of non-government organizations that has lifted Pampanga off the ground for the longest time. He was the wind beneath the wings of every great advocacy Kapampangans and Filipinos across the country revere.
He looked at life in a continuum, not stages, more mindful of the future than of the past because that’s where the action and challenge are, and that’s where he made a living. If success precedes significance, then he is one of those that have definitely discovered the true meaning of success after giving up a part of it.
To him, one doesn’t get comfort simply to be comforted but to comfort others. He worked hard to keep his multi-businesses open, let alone growing, because so many people depended on him. It was paternalism akin to humanitarianism.
It was his sheer love for Pampanga and the countryside that has driven him passionately to serve his kabalens. He was but a simple son of San Fernando, a typical “palengke” boy who sold sweepstakes at the public market where he learned the rudiments of life. Even with the lure of better opportunities elsewhere, he chose to stay in Pampanga, starting small and overcoming challenge after challenge. Lessons were learned the hard way and he discovered success had its price.
But the daring and the passion to take risks has its rewards, too, which are now shared by all. He has always said that peace of mind is the root of happiness and contentment.
In his last flight, the Eagle, the humble servant of the times, left a legacy that will forever shine via the portrait as he hovers in the heavenly skies where he now peacefully rests. (JTD)