MANILA - Senen Mendiola, the man who helped build the Philippines' largest shopping mall chain SM has passed away due to cardio-pulmonary arrest. He was 85.
Mendiola worked closely with shopping mall magnate Henry Sy Sr. for more than four decades and was a driving force in helping grow the SM brand.
From a single shoe store in Manila in the sixties, SM expanded to a full line store, and later on to department stores and malls.
Mendiola also served as director of SM Prime Holdings since 1994 and was vice chairman in a number of firms within the SM group. He also served as adviser to the board of BDO Unibank.
"Senen is like a brother to my dad. We grew up knowing him as a member of our family," Tessie Sy, eldest daughter of Sy Sr. and vice chairperson of SM Investments, said in a text message.
A graduate of San Beda College with a degree in Commerce, Mendiola is survived by his wife Josefina and four children, including Jorge who is currently president of SM Department Stores.
Wake is at the Sanctuario de San Jose in Greenhills. Interment will be on December 1, Saturday at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.
source: abs-cbnnews.com
