(Part 1)
Sustaining a family business is not easy, but some families do so with grace and style.
On April 14, the Ateneo de Manila University’s Family Business Development Center (AFBDC), in partnership with Union Bank, recognized 10 business families, all AFBDC clients, in the first Philippine Family Business Awards. These families do not only excel in their enterprises, but also manifest positive traits and practices in their service to their families, communities and the nation.
Diverse businesses
The Alingog family of the Ropali Group of Companies spans several industries: agri-machinery, motorcycle distribution, banking, real estate. They aim to provide quality products and services, and widen their reach to all. Their companies include Ada Manufacturing Corp., Ropali Corp., Motorali Corp., LA Trade Corp., Agribusiness Rural Bank, the Farmers Savings and Loan Bank Inc.
The Buhain-Fontelera family of the Rex Group believes, “Tayong lahat, kapit-bisig para sa bata, para sa bayan. (Let’s link arms for the children, for the nation).” Rex aims to be in every Filipino home, providing access and opportunities for children to achieve their dreams with quality educational materials.
In 1950, Rex started publishing legal education textbooks, and it has since established its brand in the tertiary and basic education markets, expanding to other educational resources and programs, such as e-learning, assessment and professional development programs.
The David family of the House of David Group started the business in the 1960s, when patriarch Ladislao Sibal David, with the support of spouse Illuminada, opened the family pawnshop and jewelry store at the Guagua Public Market in Pampanga.
The House of David Group is now composed of seven subsidiaries in banking, real estate, stock brokerage, and education, including the House of David Investment and Management Corp., House of David Realty and Development Corp., Mary the Queen College Pampanga, Inc. The Bank of Florida is one of the top 10 rural banks in the country, with 17 branches in Central Luzon. The conglomerate gives scholarships and builds classrooms. In the future, they intend to offer personalized banking services for micro, small and medium enterprises.
Electricity, glass, hygiene
The King family of the Asia Glass Group exhibits the traits of a typical Chinese-Filipino business, where all the members hold key positions and make major decisions together. Asia Glass aims to be the preferred glass and aluminum provider with the largest network in the country, offering economical building options for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes and with access available whenever and wherever needed.
The business is founded on professional excellence and continuous learning, relying on each member’s unique strengths and supporting each family member in pursuing personal goals. The family promotes honest business practices and fair treatment of employees, suppliers and customers. They aim to enter other fields of enterprise.
The Mercado family of Tarlac Electric, Inc. aims to provide electricity efficiently to the community, bound by integrity, commitment, humility and stewardship. The company serves as an electric distribution utility in the city of Tarlac, and is one of the eight electric distribution utilities in Luzon that remain privately owned.
The Sio family of Sanitary Care Products Asia, Inc. believes that Filipinos should have access to quality products. Proudly Filipino, the company has continuously innovated its brands to meet the different needs of the local market while continuing to provide excellent hygiene products.
Renato and Presca Sio had a simple goal when they founded the company: to employ and help fellow Filipinos, starting with 12 individuals. Today, the company employs over 2,000 individuals, all paid responsibly and competitively.
(More next week)