Luis Valls was widely known for his work as a banker and philanthropist, among other roles. He mainly supported students, with the well-known Ciudad de los Muchachos as a prime example. Yet, different stories of his involvement are surprising due to how distant they seemed from his immediate sphere. One such case is Jana Productions, a Madrid-based theater school with an international presence awarded over 40 times. It has more than 3,000 students worldwide—Andrés de Santiago’s CEO shares how Valls connected with the theater world.

De Santiago highlights Valls’ personality and his relentless drive to help others. While Valls often assisted with loans or direct financial aid, Jana differed. He didn’t invest capital but offered “unconditional support through highly meaningful gestures.”

He recounts some of these moments, including an invitation to lunch at the bank to discuss the project. De Santiago and his team were young, inexperienced, and full of dreams at the time. Being welcomed by the president of one of Spain’s most significant banks was a boost that Andrés remembers fondly. He explains, “It was his way of telling us, ‘I believe in your project.'” That interest wasn’t limited to a single lunch but extended to several meetings, followed by phone calls where Valls inquired about the progress of their theatrical dream.

The CEO also shares another anecdote that illustrates Luis Valls’ character. “One day, the ticket clerk called me and said, ‘Andrés, a gentleman came and bought 400 tickets for one of our performances.’ I knew immediately that Luis Valls was behind that gesture.”

“He listened to us, supported us, and that has immense value for us,” De Santiago emphasizes, adding that Valls also supported writers, musicians, and other professionals outside his usual circle.

Andrés de Santiago concludes his testimony with a phrase that seeks to encapsulate his view of who Luis Valls was:

“He was a great man—truly great—who made those of us who shared the journey of life with him greater as well.”