Raising leaders
John Gokongwei and his dreams live on through the many lives he has touched along the way
John Gokongwei Jr. is known to many as Mr. John or Big John. He was also one of the biggest inspirations of my dad Dioceldo Sy. Gokongwei led by example myriad principles that Dad applied in his own life: From dreaming boldly, to working for it, to living frugally, to giving back, and passing on these traits to future generations. News of Mr. John’s passing earlier this week saddened Dad immensely and brought back so many memories of his fond experiences with him.
MEETING MR. JOHN
A few years before Dad met Mr. John Gokongwei, he had been providing stainless steel mixing balls for nail polish to one of Gokongwei’s other businesses, Chic
Centre, the company behind Bobbie Cosmetics. Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. was already present at the time but because it was still so small, Dad offered products beyond the brand to increase his income. Thus, when Dad was introduced to Gokongwei through Mr. Ignacio Gotao in 1987 to possibly supply then up-and-coming Robinsons Department Store for Robinsons Galleria, he quickly jumped at the opportunity.
Dad traveled with Mrs. Elizabeth
Gokongwei, whom he refers to as Mrs. John, on a buying trip to Taiwan where they placed their orders. The merchandise involved anything and everything that a modern department store would carry: clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories. All was well except that Dad did not have enough capital to fund the transaction. This paved the way for him to get a chance for a face-to-face meeting with Mr. John, since Mrs. John suggested that Dad approach her husband for help. She made the call for the meeting to happen.
Entering Mr. John’s office at the Ramada Midtown Hotel, then 28year-old Dad was asked to sit on the side while Mr. John finished up his work. Dad recalled watching him, in corporate attire but barefoot, seated behind his executive desk stacked with a mountain-load of documents. Mr. John would call his secretary in to follow up on the status of projects or pending payments, validating each of them before he signed the cheques in front of him. Dad saw how Mr. John felt so at home at work and completely aware about everything that was going on in his businesses.
Finally, Mr. John attended to Dad and asked him where he banked and how much he needed. Dad was short in cash to finance the project. He made attempts to loan from a bank but to no avail. Mr. John’s secretary consequently called the office of that specific bank’s president to guarantee Dad’s loan. Immediately, after getting off the phone, the cash was ready for pick up the next day.
LESSON ON CREDIBILITY
When Dad visited his bank to withdraw the money, he told his branch manager that for months their management had denied his loans, which were even significantly smaller in value. His banker responded, “Hindi ka naman si Mr. John Gokongwei, [si] Dioceldo Sy ka lang.” This stuck to Dad because it showed the importance of credibility and integrity. Furthermore, in Dad’s many conversations with Mr. John, the latter would frequently say, “Your biggest asset is your reputation of credibility. You can lose money, but do not lose your credibility.”
Over the years, Dad’s relationship with Mr. John continued to grow. He even got Mr. and Mrs. John as his godparents when he married in 1989. Dad was a frequent visitor at Mr. John’s home during that time, always absorbing Mr. John’s wisdom and applying it in his business. Among the many lessons was the need to always innovate and invest in learning, regardless of what format. Hence, Mr. John did not only send his children to the most esteemed universities in the Philippines and abroad, but also contributed greatly to the field of education such as the Ateneo JG School of Management.
Mr. John hoped that his role in building the future job force would produce management leaders with an entrepreneurial spirit. He said these would be great people to hire or be around, because it was important for him to be surrounded by people he could learn from. He was frugal, but generous in giving back. Mr. John was often quoted for his statement about all big fish starting small, which is why he enjoyed creating opportunities for the underserved.
PARENTING SUCCESS
Mr. John was even more admirable to Dad now that he has six grown children of his own (our ages ranging from teens to adults). Among Mr.
John’s children, Dad works closest with Robina Gokongwei-Pe because of her leadership in JG Summit’s retailing arm. Ever Bilena has placements at both Robinsons Department Store and Robinsons Supermarket. Exactly like her father, Robina is extremely frugal. She is never seen with luxury brands or cars, and lives a reasonable lifestyle. She is careful with her money and works harder than anyone else.
Dad shares a story from the mid 2000s when Robina was admitted to Cardinal Santos due to an emergency, but still called him in to proceed with their schedule business review. Because they needed to hit their quotas, Dad visited her along with the Ever Bilena sales team and Robinson’s merchandising team to deliver their reports by her hospital bed.
Dad adds that Mr. John’s work ethic and grounded nature are reflected in all the Gokongwei brood. My dad remembers the day he first met Lance Gokongwei and told him he had big shoes to fill. Lance was already an accomplished businessman with a prestigious educational background, but had humbly responded, “I am just a pinky in comparison to my dad.”
Dad describes the Gokongwei family as traditional and conservative that in spite of the many generational and societal changes, the virtue of hard work and perseverance remain prevalent in their family culture. The Gokongwei children have zero entitlement and take full ownership over the businesses under their respective wings.
“There will never be another business tycoon like Mr. John. Where else do you see a single entrepreneur with business leadership in the most diverse industries—from retail and air transportation to banking, food, power, telecom, property, and petrochemicals! Plus being able to raise six responsible children who have grown into successful business figures in their own right. I am so sad to see Mr. John go, but I know I am blessed to have been personally touched by his life, especially during the early years when I was just trying to make a livelihood from my business. He taught me to dream boldly, live simply, and bless others. I’m still working like a dog at 61, and I hope my children see me and follow suit when they are all grown up, just like all the Gokongweis, who are inspirational results of Mr. John’s life, living by his example.”
This is my dad Dioceldo Sy’s tribute to Mr. John Gokongwei as he mourns with those who love him, but celebrate his well-lived life as he joins our Creator in heaven.
Denice Sy Munez is the sales and marketing director for a cosmetics company. She is the wife of Jacob, and mom of Jake Dean, and two corgis and two dachshunds (Pancake, Buttermilk, Walnut, and Waffle). You can follow her family on Instagram @denicesy, @ jakedeanmunez, @pancakecorg, and read her blog at denicesy.com.
Dad describes the Gokongwei family as traditional and conservative that in spite of the many generational and societal changes, the virtue of hard work and perseverance remain prevalent in their family culture.