It is no secret that our country had been momentarily crippled in the wake of a calamity that swept our shores with tumultuous force. It is in this very moment that I see a need for each of us to have something to remind us of the resilience that flows in our veins.

With every disaster that strikes, every blow from internal conflicts and the mess of politics that troubles our nation, the stalwart Filipino remains ever hopeful, striving for greatness, making the most of what he has with each day that comes.

In light of this, I am here to present a retelling of one of the most important chapters of Lopez history—our foray in the sugar industry, one that eventually led to us to conquer the fields of business and politics. Underestimated, the third comic arc of the “Eugenio at Heart” series will take you into the historic bidding that showed how remarkable my father was as he proved his mettle not just in business but also in caring for the welfare of his constituents.

Without giving too much away, this chapter in our history is all about the power of integrity, especially in dealing with the arrogance of certain opposing forces. Underestimated delves into the early start of the sugar empire led by the once humble sugar miller advocate, my father Eñing Lopez. It was from here that my father grew into the wise and inspiring man everyone knows him to be today.

So without further ado, I invite you to marvel at the artistry and the underlying lessons in each of the pages that you will be receiving. The story should inspire us to stand up and show our strength in meeting the challenges in our daily lives. I wish upon each of you the strength to demonstrate the same spirit of determination as you build your careers within the Lopez Group.

OSCAR M. LOPEZ