John L. Gokongwei, Jr. honored in PRA's Legends, Lives & Legacies
Image from pg. 50-51 in Legends, Lives and Legacies, the PRA 40th Anniversary Coffee Table book
JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. Founder and Chairman Emeritus John L. Gokongwei, Jr. was featured as one of the icons of Philippine retail by the Philippine Retail Association in Legends, Lives & Legacies, a coffee table book launched in celebration of the organization’s 40th anniversary. The launch was held last February 27, 2018 at Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
From L-R: Carla Tolentino, Digital Marketing Communications Manager, Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC); Hope Gokongwei Tang , Director, Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. (RRHI); Eunice Gonzales, Director - Marketing Communications, RLC; Faith Gokongwei-Lim, Director, RRHI; Robina-Gokongwei Pe, President and COO, RRHI; Celina Chua, General Manager, Toys “R” Us (TRU); Ma. Mercedes Taleon – Vice President- Lease, RLC; Rosabel Tejam, AVP- Brand Marketing, TRU; Jennica Dereje, Asst. Marketing Manager, TRU; and Irving Wu, Regional Operations Manager, RLC; during the Legends, Lives & Legacies book launch.
The book features the achievements of private sector pioneers and leaders who contributed significantly to the growth of the country’s retail industry. Mr. Gokongwei was named “Champion of Retail Entrepreneurship" in 2009 by the PRA.
Celina Chua, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Faith Gokongwei-Lim and Hope Gokongwei-Tang at the PRA book launch. Robina, Hope, and Faith are daughters of John Gokongwei, Jr. and Celina is his niece.
With snippets taken from the founder’s past speeches, Legends, Lives & Legacies briefly narrates his background and origins in business. From being paternally orphaned in Cebu, to the challenges he faced in his youth, to his corporate success, John Gokongwei’s legacy is defined by the timeless values of grit, wit, and hard work, as well his indomitable spirit as an entrepreneur.