It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Attorney Andres G. Gatmaitan, age 78, on Wednesday, July 25, 2018.
He was born June 30, 1940 to Manuel Gatmaitan and Esperanza Gatmaytan and raised in Paombong, Bulacan. He married fellow accomplished lawyer, outstanding UP alumna, and devoted mother to eight children, Attorney Asuncion Yatco on February 22, 1960.
A renowned lawyer, Attorney Gatmaitan was most recently Senior Counsel at Sycip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan, the largest law firm in the Philippines, a firm which he also led for 18 years as Managing Partner and Chairman of the Executive Committee, guiding it as it received national, regional, and international recognition during his tenure. He was concurrently chairman for a number of international law networks, on the boards of national and multinational companies and foundations, and President of the Yale Club of the Philippines, among many other leadership positions he held during his long career. A cum laude graduate of UP, former editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian, and valedictorian of his UP College of Law Class of 1961, he began to practice law in New York, working as a foreign associate for the Wall Street law firms Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts and Cahill, Gordon, Reindel & Ohl, right after earning his Master of Laws and Doctor of Laws degrees from Yale Law School.
Upon the invitation of the late Supreme Court Justice Florentino P. Feliciano, he returned to the Philippines to join the Sycip Law firm, where he rose to partner at the early age of 30. Along the course of his career, he pursued his many passions with similar success, as a competitive chess player and major promoter of the sport in the country, a dedicated environmentalist, and a mentor to many aspiring legal professionals at home and abroad. Best and most of all, he served and will continue to serve as an inspiration to all of his children, with his quiet leadership, with his thoughtful patience, and with the deepest care and compassion he has given to each of us, and to many others, which he will always be remembered by.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Asuncion; his children James (Yvette), Jonathan (Gina), Geraldine, Gwendolyn (Ray), John (Mimi), Peter (Karisia), Joshua (Patricia), and Jerome (Margie); brother Bienvenido, sisters Celia and Jeanette, predeceased by sisters Ding and Esther; grandchildren Jacob, Joachim, Jared, Andy, Ryan, Spencer, Marco, and Ian; many cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Family and friends are invited to the memorial service to be held this Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the Sanctuario de San Jose in Greenhills, San Juan beginning at 12 noon. There will also be a mass at 7pm.
Rest In Peace, Dad. We will carry you in our hearts always. (Joshua Yatco Gatmaitan)