10 Famous Successful Filipino Entrepreneurs

1. SOCORRO C. RAMOS
National Book Store, Inc.
 
Ms. Socorro C. Ramos started working as a salesgirl when she was 18 yrs. old in Goodwill Bookstore
in Escolta. She was good in selling, that’s why she became in charge of the store. When she was
married to Jose Ramos, they put up The National Book Store. Her vision was to extend the National
bookstore not only here in Luzon but also to Visayas and Mindanao for cheaper access to books and
school supplies. Before, the National Book Store was a general merchandise store. Until later on, it was
selling books, greeting cards, and school supplies. Today, more than 70 National Book Store can be
found nationwide.

2. TONY TAN CAKTIONG

Jollibee Foods Corporation
 
Jollibee was formerly selling Magnolia Ice Cream, then it was recognized as selling chicken and
burger. Tony Tan Caktiong, the president and CEO of Jollibee, was a name to remember, not only here
in the Philippines but also in other parts of the country, like in US, Hongkong, China, Indonesia, and
Japan.  He had received several awards in the business and the likes. The success of Jollibee according
to Mr. Caktiong is sharing to people what they had achieved.  Jollibee had been known to be a happy
and hardworking insect. It is the favorite place to dine in of many Filipinos especially the kids.
 
3. Lucio Tan
Philippine Airlines
 
Lucio Tan’s story was from rags to riches tale. Before working in the tobacco industry, his business
was a scrap. His dream was to become a scientist but his fortune was bound to become an entrepreneur.
His hard work made him successful and became famous.  Now, he owns Asia Brewery, Tanduay,
Fortune Tobacco, Philippine Airlines, Allied Bank, and many more to mention.
 
4. ATTY. FELIPE L. GOZON
GMA Network, Inc.

Atty. Felipe L. Gozon is the chairman, president, and CEO of GMA Network. He was credited for the
success of GMA Network in radio and TV broadcasting, filmmaking, and music recording. He was
Master Entrepreneur in 2004. Because of the leadership of Atty. Gozon, he made GMA as one of the
top networks in the country today. Currently, GMA had via-satellite broadcasting in Asia and in other
parts of the world. 

 
5. Henry Sy
ShoeMart

Henry Sy was born on December 25, 1923, in Xiamen China. In his early twenties, he used to sell
American shoes. Then after three years, he was able to have his first shoe mart store. SM group of
companies was one of the biggest companies in our country and the man behind it was Henry Sy. His
self-discipline, perseverance, and hard work made him what he is today. In almost every part of the
country (as well as in Asia), there is SM mall.According to Henry Sy Sr., success will not last if you do
not care of it. That’s the secret of their success.
 
6. Jaime Zobel de Ayala
Ayala Corporation
 
Jaime Zobel de Ayala was before president and chairman of Ayala Corporation. He was considered as
one of the richest persons tied with Henry Sy in 2007. He had received many awards and the latest was
Entrepreneur of the Year 2012. His strategy for being successful in this business was getting partners
with those who are in need in the community. He believes that gaining profits was not really the
concern of every businessman, but to help the poor people.
 
7. Alfredo Yao
Zest-O Corporation
 
Alfredo Yao came from a poor family and became rich due to hard work and determination. He didn’t
finish his education at Mapua Institute of Technology.  He experienced to work in the printing press
and then ventured to this business for 20 years. Then, he shifted to a juice manufacturing business.
Zest-O became hit to mothers because of its being convenient to be placed in every lunch box of the
children. Today, Zest-O was one of the leading juice manufacturers in the country, in China, New
Zealand, Singapore, and many others.
 
8. Mariano Que
Mercury Drugstore

Mariano Que first worked in a drugstore. When he was given the opportunity, he invested his 100
pesos in the sulfathiazole tablets. He sold his products to the people by making use of the wooden
pushcart. After saving a lot of money, he was able to built Mercury. It was made known to the people
as selling safe medicines and opened for 24/7. Mercury, like any other leading drug stores, had many
stores nationwide.That was because of the innovations he made in his products.
 
 9. Cecilio K. Pedro
Lamoiyan Corporation

Cecilio K. Pedro finished his business management degree in Ateneo de Manila University. He
founded the Lamoyan Corp. which produces toothpastes like “Hapee” and “Kutitap.” This made
toothpaste affordable to the masses. He survived in the industry because of being tough and innovative
to fight for the multinational companies. His company had received an award, “Most Outstanding
Program for Equal Employment Opportunity,” giving importance to those who have difficulty in
hearing to work in his company.
 
10. Corazon D. Ong
CDO Foodsphere, Inc.

Corazon D. Ong is the founder of CDO Foods. It was a hobby of Ms. Ong to make processed meats
products such as corned beef, hotdog, meatloaf and hamburger patties. She was a dietician by
profession. So she understood what the preferences of most Filipinos are. Today, CDO Foodsphere,
Inc. was recognized as the leading supplier of meat toppings. Why?? Because nowadays we have many
working mothers and it is convenient on their part to have foods which can be cooked easily.
 
The top famous entrepreneurs really worked hard to attain success in their business. They had faced
different challenges but they didn’t stop until they achieved their goals. Their characteristics as an
entrepreneur paved a long way in the business world. Now, can we do it, too? Definitely, yes. We
should only have the will and the determination to really work hard. We can also be destined in the
business industry, keeping our sights focused on how to achieve our goals and at the same time we
should also beguided by our values in life.