John Gokongwei's Speech at the Ateneo on Entrepreneurship

John Gokongwei's Speech at the Ateneo on Entrepreneurship

I am John Gokongwei, Jr. I am not an Atenean but I feel at home with you. Today, at least. Sixty-two years ago, I could not have dreamt of appearing before the Jesuits and their students to tell the story of MY life. I was no more than a student then, at San Carlos University in Cebu, when my father died suddenly. It left me, the eldest, the responsibility of taking care of my mother and five siblings. That was tough for someone who was 13. Creditors had just seized our home and business and I had no experience with earning a living.

But here I am - not all on account of my good looks or charming personality but because I somehow survived. And when I look back, I know now that I did so because I recognized CHANGE when I saw it. Continued...

For those who asked, here's a Photo of John Gokongwei (with James Go)

And for those who prefer solo shots, here are even more photos of John Gokongwei, Jr.
[ First posted on 07/19/2002 by Manuel Viloria ]