New forces in PH business

We at the Ateneo de Manila University Family Business Development Center have spearheaded conventions featuring established leaders, such as Erramon Aboitiz, Jaime Zobel de Ayala, John Gokongwei Jr., among others.

Now we turn to the next generation. Join us on Sept. 18, 2019, Wednesday, as the next generation share their experiences at our family business conference in Edsa Shangri-la Hotel, Mandaluyong.

Christopher Po of Century Pacific Group ascended last year to executive chair, with CEO responsibilities now shouldered by older brother Teodoro, to focus on diversification and growth.

Their father Ricardo’s foresight, augmented by the children’s teamwork, has made Century Group the leading canned foods business in the country today.

Christopher will discuss how the family is updating the brand beyond what the founder envisioned half a century ago.

Kevin Tan, who last year became CEO of conglomerate Alliance Global Group Inc., is the eldest son of tycoon Andrew Tan, best known for Megaworld.

Kevin will discuss the challenges and opportunities the family is facing amid the company’s goal to grow into one of the largest enterprises in the Philippines.

Siblings Isabelle and Joseph Yap Jr. are special project officers at East West Banking Corp. and third-generation heirs of Andrew and Mercedes Gotianun, who founded real estate empire Filinvest Development Corp.

Their mother Josephine currently heads the family business.  Their father Joseph has since retired and is now Philippine ambassador to Singapore.

Isabelle, who also holds the position of assistant vice president, and Joseph Jr. will discuss how they work together, as successors of the family legacy, to make the business grow.

Jose Paolo Delgado, managing director of Delgado Brothers Group, is a fourth-generation leader. Founder Jose Maria started in the hotel business, which went into logistics, brokerage and real estate under remarkable successors.

Paolo, who has expertise in the new economy, will discuss how technology such as digitization and automation will help propel their family business in the years to come.

Venjosef Sio, president of Sanitary Care Products Asia, Inc., will discuss how his parents Renato and Babie overcame obstacles with grit and God’s grace, to build what is now one of the country’s most respected hygiene solutions companies.

Bernie Liu, founder, chair and CEO of clothing conglomerate Golden ABC Inc., which includes Penshoppe in its portfolio, will discuss how the values he learned from parents Lim and Norma have spurred him to grow his business from a single outlet in the mid-1980s to more than 300 stores and various brands today.

Victor Paterno, president and CEO of Philippine Seven Corp., which holds the local franchise of 7-Eleven, descends from exalted pedigree.  His ancestor Pedro is a key figure in Philippine history, while his father Vicente was a former senator.

Victor will share hard-won insights on how he overcame the myriad trials and tribulations he, the family and the business faced.

Don Buhain of the Rex Group of Companies, Klaire King of Asia Glass Group, EJ Vergel de Dios of Big E Food Corp. and Raki Urbina of Laguna Group will share experiences on successfully navigating succession.

Peter Johnson, director of the Institute of Family Business at the University of the Pacific at Stockton, California, will discuss how the younger generation in Napa Valley and Sonoma are empowered to manage family businesses.

For registration details, visit fambiz.ateneo.edu. Call 945-7232 or 0917-885-0064.  E-mail [email protected].