John L. Gokongwei Jr. is known for his entrepreneurial genius and philanthropic acts. He made his mark in the business world as the founder and chairman emeritus of JG Summit Holdings, Inc, (JGSHI), one of the leading multibusiness groups in the Philippines.
From his humble beginnings as a peanut vendor in Cebu, he grew his business until he became one of the country’s few billionaires. Through the years, however, he has supported education efforts through donations to various universities and scholarship grants.
On August 29, 2007, a book that immortalizes Gokongwei’s entrepreneurial efforts, successes, wisdom and secrets was unveiled at the Escaler Hall of the Ateneo Loyola Heights campus.
The book, titled “The Path of Entrepreneurship,” was written by Dr. Marites A. Khanser, “corporate historian” and assistant professor in the Department of Leadership and Strategy of the John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM), and published by the Ateneo de Manila University-Loyola Schools.
According to Dr. Khanser, the book took two years to make and is a collaborative work between herself and her subject, Gokongwei. She said her interview sessions with Gokongwei had been “fun” because her interviewee possessed “charm” and was a “good conversationalist.” The most important discovery of Khanser during the making of the book, however, was the God-given strength she did not know she had, a strength which enabled her to finish the book.
During the launch, Dr. Germelino M. Bautista, professor in the Economics Department, spoke about how he admired Khanser’s work, her “competencies, passion and drive” as well as her “artistic eye and literary heart.”
- John L. Gokongwei Jr.
JGSOM Dean Rodolfo P. Ang, meanwhile, recounted how JGSOM’s launch in 2002 was “more than a financial transaction” but a partnership between the Ateneo and the JGSHI to “raise the bar of education in the country.” The night’s book launch, however, raised the partnership to a higher level. As a “textbook for everyone,” the book delves into the mind of Gokongwei “to provide inspiration for young people,” Ang said.
Gov. Gabriel C. Singson, first governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, deemed it “a pleasure and a privilege” to write the foreword of the book for his “close and loyal friend” of over 20 years. He said he hopes for the book to “inspire future entrepreneurs of this country.” The book, he said, is also a part of the legacy of education where people, the youth especially, are taught how to lead. Dr. Ma. Assunta C. Cuyegkeng, VP for the Loyola Schools, and Dr. Antonette P. Angeles, academic vice president of the Ateneo also offered grateful messages to the people who worked on the book project.
Gokongwei responded by acknowledging that although entrepreneurship is not an easy path to take. He encouraged all, especially the youth, to dream, to conquer their fears and to rely on themselves. He ended his speech in jest when he said “I didn’t write the book but at least I participated in it.”
Fr. Bienvenido F. Nebres, SJ, Ateneo president, capped the book launch by recognizing Gokongwei’s power to inspire. He quoted alumna and marketing wiz Roslyn Chua (BS Management 2006), marketing analyst for DHL Asia Pacific in Singapore, in a newspaper article as saying: “In the Philippines he (Gokongwei) is my idol. Like him, I want to help my fellow Filipinos by providing them with jobs.”
By Michelle Camille Correa
Acknowledgment: Anna Galvez, JGSOM
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