MANILA -- Former ABS-CBN Vice Chairman and war veteran Augusto "Jake" Almeda Lopez was laid to rest in Taguig City on Thursday.
 
He was honored with a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps by the Philippine Army.

• Jake Almeda Lopez dies at 95

In a eulogy, Atty. Jake’s daughter Stella Lopez-Lavy shared one of the toughest challenges her father had to face during the Second World War— an experience he and his family drew lessons from.
 
“He had malaria in the jungle at the age of 15 when he was a guerilla during World War II, and he had to keep moving at night… Since that experience he said he has always had an attitude of gratitude for everything, optimistic even in the most uncertain times…. I learned from him to be courageous, to have faith, to be resilient and to be steadfast and most of all, to standup for what you believe is right,” Lopez-Lavy said.
 
In 2023, Atty. Jake was among the war veterans awarded with the Congressional Gold Medal by the United States government, a prestigious distinction given to civilians, who exhibited valor and loyalty during World War II.
 
His friends know him to be a “fighter,” for his country and for his principles.
 
“He’s a fighter. He would always rather try something and if he fails, at least he said he did it,” family friend and former lawmaker Atty. Erin Tañada said.
 
As much as Atty. Jake is courageous, he is also caring and compassionate—not just to family, but even to fellow workers.
 
He joined ABS-CBN in 1961 as one of its lawyers, later on helped run the station to its first “Golden Age”, and worked his way up to become the Vice Chairman.
 
ABS-CBN founder “Kapitan” Geny Lopez described Atty. Jake as the “soul” of the organization, a brother-in-arms, and a partner in building ABS-CBN. 

“He tempered the legalistic side of the situation with compassion and care. That is wisdom, that is prudence… As they say, ABS-CBN is the 6th child of Atty. Jake,” said Father Tito Caluag, who used to work with Atty. Jake.
 
Despite his accomplishments, Atty. Jake managed to stay humble- a quality his children, grandchildren, and even the nurses that assisted him in his final months admired about him.

• Former ABS-CBN executive Jake Almeda Lopez dies at 95

“He’s the first patient na na-handle namin na nagsabi na you can work as long as 8 hours only, then you can go home. Then he hired another nurse to occupy the other 8 hours. Ganoon siya kabait at ganoon siya ka caring sa amin… In the middle of the situation na may sakit na siya, kapakanan pa rin namin ang iniintindi niya,” Nurse Lee Bryan Ibuna said.
 
“He had a scholarship fund to help aid the needy students in UP law. Dad touched people’s lives...You are a humble man, who did extraordinary things. I love you. You are always going to be in my heart forever,” Atty. Jake’s daughter Cynthia Lopez- Fuschs added.
 
For Atty. Jake’s family, friends, and the lives he touched, ABS-CBN’s motto “In the service of the Filipino” is more than just words—he lived by it.