Filipino Tech Pioneer Diosdado 'Dado' Banatao Passes Away at 79
He believed deeply in Filipino talent, according to former Finance secretary Cesar Purisima, who confirmed his passing in a heartfelt tribute.
Published on Dec 26, 2025
Today, we mourn the passing of Diosdado "Dado" Banatao, a brilliant engineer, visionary tech entrepreneur, and a true pride of the Philippines. From humble beginnings in the Cagayan Valley, where he once walked barefoot to school, Dado’s journey to Silicon Valley became one of the most inspiring Filipino success stories on the global stage.
Dado helped shape the modern personal computer. He was behind groundbreaking semiconductor innovations, including the first 10-Mbit Ethernet CMOS chip, the system logic chipsets for the IBM PC-XT and PC-AT, the first graphics accelerator chip, and the pioneering local bus architecture, technologies that became foundational to today’s computing industry. He co-founded influential Silicon Valley companies such as Mostron, Chips & Technologies, and S3 Graphics, and later established Tallwood Venture Capital, continuing to support innovation at the highest levels.
Yet beyond his remarkable achievements in technology, Dado’s greatest legacy was his faith in people. Together with his wife Maria, he was the heart and soul of the #PhilDevFoundation and the Dado Banatao Educational Foundation, championing education, access, and opportunity for Filipino students and future innovators. He provided scholarships, supported #STEM education, and built a modern computer center in his childhood school so future generations could dream bigger than he once did. He and Maria funded CITRIS and the Banatao Institute at the University of California Berkeley, a research center focused on creating IT solutions that generate societal and economic benefits for everyone.
He believed deeply in Filipino talent and often emphasized that talent was never the problem; what mattered was opportunity and access to world-class technology education. Through PhilDev, he worked tirelessly to open doors for young Filipinos, empowering them to dream bigger and compete globally.
Dado once said, “My story could be your story,” a simple but powerful reminder that perseverance, education, and opportunity can change lives. He also believed that innovation drives progress, creating industries, jobs, and hope for future generations. He lived these beliefs not just in words, but through action.
It was truly an honor for Corrie and I to call Dado a friend. We are deeply grateful to have had the chance to see him for dinner on his last trip to Manila last October, time shared that we will always cherish.
Our deepest condolences to Maria, their family, and all those whose lives were touched by Dado’s vision, generosity, and unwavering belief in Filipino excellence. Rest in peace, Dado. Your legacy will live on in the countless lives you inspired.
Diosdado "Dado" Banatao was born on May 23, 1946, in Iguig, Cagayan.
The author originally posted this piece on his Facebook account. We are republishing here with his kind permission. Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.
Cesar V. Purisima served as finance secretary of the Philippines from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2016 under President Benigno Aquino III, and from February 15, 2005 to July 15, 2005 under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was also a former chairman and managing partner of SGV & Co.