VICTOR A. LIM

THE PHILIPPINES-JAPAN SOCIETY, INC.

by unanimous resolution of its Board of Directors
hereby confers upon

VICTOR A. LIM

the

 MEDAL OF MERIT

 for Outstanding Achievement in the Promotion
of Philippines-Japan Relations

Born on November 13, 1923 and the eldest son of Manuel Lim and Emilia Quintos, both of whom were scions of prominent families from Pangasinan, Ilocos and Manila, Victor A. Lim was quick to follow the footsteps of his illustrious father. A consistent honor student, he graduated cum laude in Mechanical Engineering at the University of the Philippines in 1948, and immediately proceeded to graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1949 and at Harvard Business School in 1950.

It was in these institutions that Mr. Lim was to develop his unparalleled business and management talents, which blended well with his sense of civic and social service, and led to endeavors for which he is now well identified: such as the Manila Gas Corporation, Republic Glass Corporation, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Asian Institute of Management among others.

Mr. Lim today stands at the helm of many important corporations and civic organizations.

A recipient of the Pacific War Ribbons, and Doctor of Technology, honoris causa, Mr. Lim is best recognized however for his work in the field of Philippines-Japan relations, for which he was, in 1970, awarded by the Philippine Government the Philippine Cultural Heritage Medal and, in 1986, conferred by the Japanese Government the Third Order of the Sacred Treasures. He was the Charter Vice President of the Philippines-Japan Society from 1971 until he became its President in 1985, following the elevation of Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III to the position of President Emeritus.

It was actually after the end of the Pacific War when Mr. Lim first resolved to exert his best efforts to heal the wounds that drew a wedge between the Filipinos and the Japanese. Toward this end, he accepted in 1947 an appointment in the War Reparations Committee and got involved, as a engineer, in the inspection and rehabilitation of Japanese machine tools. In 1959, he returned as a Technical Consultant for the Committee in its efforts to expedite the disposal of Advance Japanese Reparations. In 1969, he was chosen to be the Commissioner General of the Philippine Participation to the 1970 Japan World Exposition in Osaka, Japan.

After Expo ’70, he joined Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III and Mr. Benjamin F. Sanvictores in spearheading the establishment of the Philippines-Japan Society in 1971 which, since that time, has developed into a veritable nucleus of several other Philippines-Japan friendship organizations, which now all perform vital roles in further enhancing the harmonious relations between the peoples of the Philippines and Japan. Mr. Lim instrumental in the organization of two such organization: the Philippine National Committee for Economic Cooperation with Japan in 1973, and is now Chairman of its successor, the Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee; and the Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation in 1974, of which he was a founding Trustee and now its Executive Trustee.

Indeed, Mr. Lim’s efforts toward the cause of friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Japan have been outstanding. It is therefore but fitting and proper that he be recognized and his work, acknowledged, by the Philippines-Japan Society, which is privileged and honored to confer upon him the Medal of Merit, the highest within the gift of the Society to bestow.

Given at Makati, Metro Manila, this 27th day of June in the year of our Lord Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-one on the 27th year of the Society and on the Jose P. Laurel Centennial.

 

                                                                             JOSE S. LAUREL III
President Emeritus

Attest:

JOSEPH K.H. UY
Director