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John Gokongwei Biography

Business magnate

John Gokongwei, born on August 11, 1926, is an outstanding business magnate. He is known for his diversified business empire in the Philippines and other parts of Asia, spanning industries such as aviation, finance, real estate, and retail.

Believe Hard I Believe Hard Work Luck Rely Good Luck Feng Shui

Author:John Gokongwei

“Do what is right... do it with honesty and vigor. Be creative - thats important. Dont follow what other people are doing.”

People Important Creative Honesty Be Creative Vigor

Author:John Gokongwei

“It was during my first trip to America in 1953 - thats when I learned to visit museums. I was then 26 years old. When I travel, the first thing I do is to visit museums. When I go to New York City, I usually go to Broadway to see the shows.”

Years Firsts Shows America Cities New York Museums New York City Broadway

Author:John Gokongwei

“Choose to be entrepreneur because then YOU create value. Choose to be an entrepreneur because the products, services, and jobs you create then become the lifeblood of our nation. But most of all, choose to be an entrepreneur because then you desire a life of adventure, endless challenge, and the opportunity to be your BEST SELF.”

Self Jobs Desire Values Opportunity Nations Challenges Adventure Products Entrepreneur Endless Best Self Be Your Best

Author:John Gokongwei

“As a boy in school, I already had the drive to be No. 1. If I achieve my goals, OK, but if not, I always ask why and try to rectify myself.”

Ifs Trying School Asks Goal Boys Achieve Rectify

Author:John Gokongwei

“Success is not necessarily about connections, or cutting corners, or chamba - the three Cs of bad business. Call it trite, but believe me: success can be achieved through hard work, frugality, integrity, responsiveness to change, and most of all, boldness to dream.”

“I only take vitamin B complex. Before World War II, I used to take ionized yeast, because in the pre-war era we never heard about vitamins.”

World War Used Heard Complexes Eras War Of The Worlds World War Ii World War I Vitamins Yeast

Author:John Gokongwei

“Sun Cellular is the biggest investment in my business career.”

Careers Sun Investment Cellular

Author:John Gokongwei

“I dont usually make political comments, because I am a businessman, not a politician.”

Political Politician Comment Businessman

Author:John Gokongwei

“Success doesn't happen overnight. It's the small successes achieved day by day that build a company. So, don't be impatient or focused on immediate financial rewards.”

Happens Company Rewards Financial Focused Impatient Small Successes

Author:John Gokongwei

“Whether it's difficult or not, there will be a few people who are outstanding, who will rise above the rest.”

People Difficult Rise Above Outstanding

Author:John Gokongwei

“You've got to be frugal. If you want to make one peso and you spent two, you'll never make it. You must be very stupid if you don't know what you should save on.”

Ifs Knows Want Should Two Stupid Frugal Very Stupid

Author:John Gokongwei

“You have to love your work. You have to save money instead of spending all of it. Look for areas you can compete in. Work damn hard. Most importantly, you have to love it.”

Looks Hard Love You Areas Spending Damn Saving Money Love Your Work

Author:John Gokongwei

“But everyone has a chance. Every big guy started off small.”

Bigs Guy Chance Big Guys

Author:John Gokongwei

“I chose to live my life unafraid even during times when I WAS afraid. I discovered that opportunities don't find you; you find your opportunities.”

Opportunity Living My Life Unafraid

Author:John Gokongwei

“Everything involves a risk. No risk, no reward.”

Risk Rewards

Author:John Gokongwei

“Managers will work for a salary. Entrepreneurs create new businesses. Many people have capital, but instead of making money for business they build houses for rent. It's easy money to collect rental.”

People House Easy Entrepreneur Managers Making Money Salary New Business Easy Money

Author:John Gokongwei

“If you sell to the rich, you will become poor. If you sell to the poor, you can become rich. It is easier to get one peso from a million poor people than to get one million from one rich person.”

People Ifs Persons Poor Millions Rich Easier Sells Poor People Become Rich Rich Person

Author:John Gokongwei

About the Author

Born: August 11, 1926
Known for: Business magnate
Quotes: 18

Books & Sources

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