“I am thankful for the memories I have with Papa discussing politics, governance, and just about any topic under the sun,” writes Kim S. Jacinto-Henares, former BIR Commissioner and a daughter-in-law. “Without his encouragement, I would not have the opportunity to serve our country.”
Larry, whose baptismal name was Hilarion Daniel Guillermo Mateo Francisco Maramba Henares Jr. was born to Hilarion Henares Sr. of Bacolod and Concepcion Henares neé Maramba of Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, on April 10, 1924, in Manila.
His father, who was a government pensionado, went to the University of Illinois and University of Louisiana. Earning five engineering degrees, he was considered the father of the sugar and coconut industries in the Philippines and would later head H.G. Henares and Sons, a manufacturer of paints, varnishes, resins and pigments, while distributing school and office supplies.
His mother, meanwhile, was the first nutritionist and home economist in the country, establishing the home economics departments of the University of the Philippines and UP Los Baños as well as that of the Philippine Women’s University. Following a fire in Tondo, she also invented, in the family’s garage, MC Asbestos Paint which was formulated to be fire retardant.
From Padre Faura to Massachusetts
After studying at Ateneo de Manila and the University of the Philippines, where he was a member of Tau Alpha, Larry attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning what is now equivalent to a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). He later earned a doctorate in Economics, also from MIT, where he was mentored by Nobel Prize winner Paul Samuelson.
Young Businessman of the Year
Taking after his father who held the position before him, Larry served as the fourth president of the Philippine Chamber of Industries whose members included Gonzalo Puyat, Toribio Teodoro, and Andres Soriano, all leading businessmen of the time.
Right around this period, in his twenties, he was chosen as Young Businessman of the Year and Young Industrialist of the Year by the Business Writers Association. He was also dean of two graduate schools – Lyceum of the Philippines and FEATI.
Chair of the National Economic Council and a failed Senate bid
Gaining the attention of President Diosdado Macapagal after he openly criticized the former’s decontrol foreign exchange policy, Larry was appointed Chair of the National Economic Council (NEC), where among his responsibilities was “approving all proposals of American firms for US guarantees against political risk in the Philippines.”
He also ran for a Senate seat alongside Ninoy Aquino on the same ticket but was unsuccessful in his bid.
Accidental journalist, book author, and talk show host
“I was never really a newspaperman or a journalist,” Larry said in a 2000 interview. “I am going to write but I'll do it at the end of my career. That is when I will have accumulated enough money so I will be independent.”
Once the subject of libel suits filed by Jaime Zobel de Ayala and the Tieng brothers, his columns appeared in the Free Press, Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Isyu, and Philippine Post. He later turned to Facebook to share his views and ideas.
As a book author, Larry once remarked, "Well, I was always good at writing. I'm just one of those fortunate individuals where the right side of my brain is just as good as the left side of my brain." His published works include the "Make My Day" series, “Behold the Radiance,” and “Philippine History and the Destiny of the Filipino People.”
In the 1990s, sporting a necktie and suspenders, he was host of “Make My Day", a talk show on RPN 9.
Federalism and the Concerned Citizens Council on National Affairs
Upon the assumption of the Presidency of Rodrigo Duterte in 2016, the Concerned Citizens Council on National Affairs (CCCNA), where he served as spokesperson, advocated for a Federalist System, presenting to the President their draft of a Federalist Constitution. The group also pushed for amendments in economic provisions to encourage foreign investments while seeking an anti-dynasty provision.
Marrying Cecilia
On Aug. 23, 1949, Larry married the love of his life, Cecilia Corneila Roensch Lichauco, who tragically died of a heart attack in 1993 while they were on vacation in Paris.
An avid amateur radio enthusiast and member of the Philippine Amateur Radio Association, “Sir Laki" as he was called by staff, is survived by three sons and three daughters – Hilarion Renato III, Alfredo Tomas, Daniel Guillermo, Elvira Concepcion, Cecilia Regina, and Rosario Anna.
“I will miss being able to have intelligent discussions with Papa on everything and anything,” Jacinto-Henares, further said.
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