Dado-isms: Lessons in Legacy, Service, and Courage
It's hard to believe a year has passed since my mother's death. The weight of my grief hasn't lessened; in fact, I find that the saying "time heals" is untrue — it hasn't become any easier. Instead, I am slowly learning how to navigate life without her, even as the experience of loss seems to become more frequent as time goes on.
In moments where I feel lost, I seek guidance and wisdom from my angels and ancestors. As difficult as it was to pull myself together for yet another phenomenal person's passing, I remembered the time my community— friends and family — rallied around me, offering vital support during a deeply challenging personal moment. I felt a strong desire to offer that same light.
I was honored to be given the opportunity to join in on the Celebration of Life for Dado Banatao.
Dado Banatao — A beloved figure, engineer, entrepreneur, mentor, husband, father, grandfather, and a proud Filipino.
A pioneer in Silicon Valley, Dado was central to the early semiconductor and personal computing industries, even designing the world's first single-chip PC chipset. As a successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist, he was generous with his time and instrumental in taking many start-ups public.
Dado was a dedicated philanthropist, committed to giving back by fostering innovation, expanding educational access, and ensuring technology benefited society through the Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev).
PhilDev is an organization dedicated to strengthening the Philippine innovation ecosystem through academic scholarships, entrepreneurship programs, and by building connections across academic, industry, and government sectors.
Dado was also a key backer of CITRIS and the Banatao Institute, a multidisciplinary research center within the University of California system.
Given my background as a UC Berkeley alum and a Filipino-American working in Silicon Valley's tech industry, I had the privilege of meeting Dado and hearing him speak on multiple occasions at my alma mater and tech events around the Bay Area.
I was able to witness Dado speak on a panel with his eldest son, Rey Banatao.
This photo captures us at a 2018 event hosted at Google, alongside some of the top Filipino talent within the Silicon Valley tech industry.
During Dado’s celebration of life, his family and friends shared beautiful tributes in his honor.
I compiled some of the wisdom they shared aka "Dado-isms":
1. Do the problems located at the back of the book.
Dedication and persistence are more important than being the smartest. There will always be someone with higher grades or more success. Dado's success stems from his strong work ethic and persistent refusal to surrender in the face of setbacks.
2. Don’t be afraid to call people out on their bullshit.
Develop the ability to detect falsehoods. By listening and paying close attention, you will easily identify those who lack knowledge or competence.
3. Success isn’t measured by comparing yourself to others.
True success comes from defining your own standards, not from comparing yourself to others.
4. Stop talking and start acting!
Move beyond discussion to action; build something or create a product. The hardest part is getting started. You won’t know until you try. Allow yourself to fail fast so that you can adjust accordingly.
5. Work and care about something bigger than yourself.
In any career you pursue, consider your potential contribution to that chosen industry and, ultimately, to society as a whole.
6. Help others do the same.
Elevate your community by helping others and fostering growth as you advance. Lift as you climb! There’s enough room for all of us. We are stronger and better together!
7. Take a risk.
A successful undertaking requires a strong foundation. This foundation includes a robust support system and having the right people in your corner.
8. Life is too short to work with assholes.
No explanation needed. Period.
9. Enjoy as much as society gives you, then give back more.
Make the most of what you receive from society. Be open, receive abundantly, then contribute even more in return.
One of Dado's greatest joys was witnessing the growth and sustainability of his communities. He devoted his life to making the world a better place, and though he has passed, his legacy endures. Dado left us with many valuable lessons and quotes. A great way to honor his memory is to put those quotes into practice. In his memory, please consider volunteering or donating to PhilDev. We must honor Dado's memory by continuing to move forward and lifting others up as we strive for “success.”