The Association of Young Filipino-Chinese Entrepreneurs (Anvil Business Club) had the extremely rare privilege of having had not just one, but the entire Gotianun family, as its guests-of-honor
and speakers during the Club's 10th monthly Business Exchange Forum for
the year at the family-owned The Palms Country Club in Muntinlupa City.
The standing-room only gathering saw almost 300 people –
arguably the biggest attendance-to-date for the year – enjoying an
exquisite three-course plated dinner meal, courtesy of the Gotianuns;
while listening to the exciting plans and programs laid out by Ms.
Josephine Gotianun-Yap, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Filinvest Development Corp. and the family's flagship business,
Filinvest Land Inc. She is joined by her brother, Mr. Jonathan Gotianun,
Chairman of the East-West Banking Corporation. The two high-achieving
siblings were backed by an entire contingent of their conglomerate's key
officers who represented industries ranging from real estate
development, hotel-and-resorts management, sugar manufacturing and
banking.
But the highlight of the evening was no less than the
esteemed presence of the family patriarch, the country's affable real
estate Taipan himself, Mr. Andrew Gotianun Sr., who regaled the audience
with his personal reflections on life and how to succeed in business.
The normally low-key octogenarian tycoon, who usually declines speaking
engagements, obliged the Anvil Business Club's invitation, as he dished
advice after invaluable advice on a wide range of topics, from "how to
grow a business," to "what to look for in a perfect mate" – often
peppering it with witty one-liners and self-deprecating humor. Some of the biggest names in real estate and construction industry, such as the inimitable Architect Albert S. Yu and Megawide Construction Corporation's Engr. Michael Ching Cosiquien, lent much gravitas to this very rare occasion. The event also saw another milestone for the Anvil Business Club, as it inducted an unprecedented number of new members – Fifty-Five (55) in all – to the organization's growing roster of members. It was the biggest mass induction of members done in any one session... a clear manifestation of the Club's increasing prominence among the business circles.
A very successful author once said, “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” This wise dictum cannot be more gloriously manifested than the kind of lives exemplified by the Gotianun family. Despite being born under the tutelage of one of the country’s most successful real estate leaders in the industry, the second-generation leaders were reared under an atmosphere of exacting frugality, simplicity, faith, hard work and discipline.
As the evening's theme, “Forging New Paths in Real Estate and Banking” aptly suggests, the Gotianun siblings have not only made their parents extremely proud of what they have done; but made all of us in the Chinese-Filipino community beam with pride as well. Who could not be – when they aptly epitomize the kind of entrepreneurs we long to be: leaders who find success through constant curiosity and having the courage to pursue new things beyond their comfort zones. Running a business built on a foundation of unimpeachable integrity, impeccable work ethics and an eye for fairness. And most of all, an enterprise which created a lasting legacy of generosity.
Kudos to Anvil's Vice-President for Programs Alvin Teng and Programs Chairman Jeanne Kao for your Yeoman efforts in ensuring the great success of this evening's event! It was beyond expectations!
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