Tuesdays with John Forbes

When I was in university we were required to read a book called “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom. The book was a memoir about the author’s series of visits to his former sociology professor who was dying of an illness. In the book he says:

“Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient, and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it.”

I thought about the book a lot whenever I visited John Forbes, founder of the Arangkada Philippines project, after he was diagnosed with cancer a bit over a year ago. More so after his recent passing. I never fully understood the meaning of that book until I met him at my second job as a young researcher for the Arangkada Philippines Project. He was an intimidating figure who asked me a series of questions about current events during my job interview. Since then, he never stopped challenging me.

Forbes spent 25 years of his life working in the United States Foreign Service, a job he was genuinely passionate about. He had first hand experience of many consequential events in the country and outside of it. He was a true diplomat who lit up every gathering he walked into effortlessly and was generous to share his network with others. He spent the latter years of his life doing another job he loved: pursuing economic reforms that he believed would help the Philippines. He used his diplomatic skills and his vast knowledge to painstakingly advocate for the creation of more jobs and investments in the country.

As he loved telling people: “Arangkada means to accelerate!” Forbes launched Arangkada in 2010 after successfully earning funding from the United States Agency for International Development precisely to do what it was called: accelerate economic growth and opportunities for the Philippines. Since then, Arangkada has held 11 forums, produced numerous broad and sectoral publications, and continues advocacy initiatives for national development. To this day, he will always be “Mr. Arangkada.”

Through his reform projects, he was happy to put in effort to make sure young people like us were mentored well. My fellow mentees ended up pursuing great careers in government, foreign service, private sector, academe, nongovernment organizations, and multilateral institutions. However, none of them ever failed to keep in touch with him and be grateful to his training. He was also the first to clap and cheer when we informed him of our latest accomplishments.

Many of us would describe him as a “walking almanac” who had vast knowledge on history, politics, current events, among many others. I would always be nervous during mornings when he would conduct a “pop quiz” wherein he asked us random questions about history and current events. Because of these pop quizzes, I started to read more books, more articles, to a point where they became enjoyable. Nowadays, reading Nikkei, the Washington Post, etc. have become part of my daily routine.

However, beyond pointers on history, various corrections with a red pen, and endless reminders on the Oxford comma, we knew these techniques of his always came from a place of genuine care. In the middle of late nights of working with him and no matter how tired we were, we always felt that deep down, it came from a place of love. As he would always say when we argue with him: “But I want you to learn!”

Many might see Forbes as a serious figure but those who know him will remember his sense of humor and how he loved to live life. He loved intelligent banter. He was a prolific reader and traveler. Beyond the career-side of mentoring, Forbes taught us how to make the best of life. To approach travel beyond being a tourist, to constantly have a thirst for knowledge, to continue making life exciting by expanding your interests.

To say that I will miss him is an understatement. Like the author in “Tuesdays with Morrie,” I am glad I got to spend time with him in the last year of his life and enjoyed his wit, humor, and lessons. I am sure he is now peaceful up there, endlessly reminding everyone to use the Oxford comma.

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Bettina Bautista worked at the Arangkada Philippines Project with John Forbes for three years. She currently leads the economic policy initiatives of the Makati Business Club.

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Business Matters is a project of the Makati Business Club ([email protected]).