Toast delivered by retired Chief Justice ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBAN on the 74th Birthday of Arsenio “Archit” Bartolome III on board the MY Shanti on June 26, 2015
In this august crowd of distinguished friends, I feel that my words are inadequate to do justice to Archit. Indeed, my words are not enough to speak of his achievements and successes, because, at 74, he is a classic example of someone who has “been there and done that.”
Yes, my words are sorely inadequate to describe his successes as a young man, because he had already been acclaimed so brilliantly and so deservedly as the Most Distinguished Alumnus of the University of the East and as a celebrated TOYM Awardee.
Yes, my words are inadequate to talk of him as an outstanding banker because we all know he had been Chairman or President of several banks including the Philippine National Bank when it was still the largest banking institution of our country.
My words are inadequate to hail him as a distinguished manager and sought-after executive because his election as President of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) dwarfs whatever else I can say of him.
My words are inadequate to speak of him as an outstanding civic leader because we all know he had been President of the venerable Rotary Club of Manila, the first and, during his term, the largest Rotary Club in Asia.
My words are inadequate to describe him as a man of God, because we all know that he and Nenne are couple-leaders of the Ligaya ng Panginoon.
My words are too puny to hail him as a public servant, because we all know he had been a member of that select group of political elite known as the Presidential Cabinet, when he was Chairman of the Bases Conversion Development Authority.
My words are inadequate to describe him as a caring and tender father because we all know that he had reared an outstanding son, and beautiful and talented daughters. Why, even his sons-in-law are tops in their respective professions.
My words are inadequate to speak of him as a loving and devoted husband because we all know he has successfully wooed a beautiful, brainy and devoted wife whom he adores and worships day and night.
Truly, my words are inadequate to describe the many-splendored achievements of Archit. What then can I say about him now on his 74th birthday? Nothing really, except to cheer him up and remind him how lucky he is to be among God’s chosen disciples on earth! Happy Birthday Archit!
Hep! Hep! Hurray!
The Personal Website of Retired Chief Justice Panganiban 