Dodong Gullas passes on at 87

Jose “Dodong” R. Gullas, 87. | Photo from the Facebook page of UVFDG

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Jose “Dodong” Gullas, the former administrator of the University of the Visayas (UV) and the chairman of local daily, The Freeman Cebu, has passed away on February 25, 2021. He was 87.

The Freeman released a statement that Gullas has died at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at a hospital in Cebu City but has not revealed the reason for his death.

His nephew, Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas, is one of the first to express mourning over his death in a Facebook post.

“You will be forever missed, Uncle,” said the mayor.

Dodong Gullas was known for his leadership of UV and The Freeman. In various testament over the years, Gullas has been known as an active administrator for these companies. He is also a true-blooded sportsman and organizer having founded the Gullas Cup, the oldest junior tennis tournament outside of Manila.

Freeman employees told CDN Digital that he has always been a kind boss, generous and thoughtful to his employees.

“Basta Pasko, naa gyud na siya gifts sa empleyado nga gikan sa iyang personal money,” said a reporter from the local daily.

In separate pieces, columnist Lawyer Josephus Jimenez said that Gullas is “a symbol of hard work, perseverance, persistence, and bullheadedness. He has the passion to make things happen. And yet he’s also the model of humility, respect gentleness, and compassion.”

“Sir Dodong is a son of a well-to-do and prominent family. But like his brother, Sir Eddie, he remains humble and unassuming. He talks softly but decides and acts firmly. One trait that I admire in him is his love for the small people,” said Jimenez in his column, Dr. Jose R. “Dodong” Gullas: Sterling model of letting go and moving on, published on February 21, 2021.

As of the time of writing, information on his wake or internment is yet to be released by the Gullas family. /rcg