Howard Dee

Howard Q. Dee (November 23, 1930 – August 21, 2024) was a Filipino businessman, philanthropist, and diplomat.

Early life and education Dee was born on November 23, 1930, to a middle-class Chinese Filipino family who owned a lumberyard and was raised in Tondo, Manila. His paternal ancestor Dy Phi-Phay first immigrated from China to Manila in the late 18th century and he was the nephew of Dee C. Chuan that founded Chinabank. Howard Dee’s father was Dee Hong Lue, a lumber tycoon and younger brother of Dee C. Chuan. Another uncle was Dee K. Chiong, former Chairman of Chinabank and grandfather of Miss Universe finalist Michelle Dee. He graduated from San Beda High School in 1946 and received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Philippine College of Commerce and Business Administration, now the University of the East, in 1951. He also took up a master of arts in economics from the same university but left in 1953 to join the pharmaceutical firm Unilab.

Career Dee served as vice president and general manager of Unilab from 1953 to 1965, when he became president. He oversaw the company's rise to become the leading pharmaceutical firm in the Philippines.

Dee was also involved in efforts to end political conflict in the Philippines, having led the National Peace Conference from 1990 to 1992 and the government's peace panel in negotiations with the CPP-NPA-NDF during the presidency of Fidel Ramos from 1993 to 1994. He also served in Ramos's Social Reform Council from 1993 to 1995

Philanthropy Dee was a founding trustee of Philippine Business for Social Progress in 1970. He also established the Assisi Development Foundation in 1975.

Personal life and death Dee was married to Betty Marie and had four children. He was buried at Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig.

Awards Order of St. Sylvester, 1985 San Vicente Liem dela Paz Award, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 2006 Ramon V. del Rosario Nation Building and Siklab Awards, 2024

Publications God’s Greatest Gift to Mankind (1981) Mankind’s Final Destiny (1992) Living the Beatitudes with St. Joseph (2004)