Socorro Ramos’ favorite book, Dr. Vicki Belo’s top success tip, and other business leaders’ picks
The late revolutionary leader Mao Zedong once proclaimed, “Women hold up half the sky.” What about women’s leadership role in businesses in the Philippines?
The micro-, small- and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) constitute a majority of all Philippine businesses, while the narrative of diligence, hands-on commitment, resourcefulness, and perseverance is often shaped by inspiring women.
A study in 2022 said 54% of Philippine MSMEs are headed by women. Statistics from 2021 also show that around 88% of entrepreneurs engaged in the Philippine retail or wholesale industry in the MSME sector were women. Wow!
In the realm of big business, there are not a few women business leaders, too, like these remarkable women who stand as paragons of Philippine business success:
Teresita “Tessie” Sy Coson. A wise leader at the helm of BDO Unibank, Inc., SM Group and SM Foundation, she is not only a business luminary but she helped her late father and SM conglomerate founder Henry Sy, Sr. to build up their businesses.
Tessie’s enlightened analyses are respected and admired across diverse sectors. Recently, just ahead of the momentous 70th anniversary celebration of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. from March 8 to 10 at her family’s SMX and where foreign investor delegations from different continents are invited, FFCCCII top officers led by president Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro paid a call on Tessie to dialogue with her.
Mercedes Gotamco Tan-Gotianun and Josephine “Joji” Gotianun Yap. The late Mercedes, co-founder of Filinvest Group and East West Bank, was a remarkably astute businesswoman. Her daughter, Josephine Gotianun Yap, continues the legacy.
Once, at a dinner reception, I told Mercedes she’s lucky to have daughter as bright as her; she chuckled and said: “No, Joji is more pleasant than me.”
Helen Yuchengco Dee. She is the indefatigable and capable leader of the Yuchengco Group, RCBC, and Malayan Insurance. Unknown to many, Helen is a remarkable fourth-generation-wealth individual, but with an unwavering drive akin to a self-made entrepreneur.
Helen’s paternal great-grandfather, the 19th century Chinese immigrant Yu Tiaoqui, became a rich lumber and rice trader with a lumberyard at Calle Gandara (now Sabino Padilla Street), Manila. This business was back-to-back and bordered only by an estero (rivulet) to the lumberyard on Calle Arranque (later renamed in early 20th century as Teodora Alonzo Street) of my paternal great-great-grandfather, the 19th century pioneer lumber entrepreneur and philanthropist Dy Han Kia.
Socorro Cancio Ramos and Xandra Ramos Padilla. The legendary self-made tycoon founder of National Bookstore Socorro and her successor granddaughter Xandra have nurtured the leading bookstore chain and also Anvil Publishing.
Once, at a dinner reception, I casually asked the matriarch what her No. 1 favorite book was and why. Socorro laughed quietly and candidly replied: “My father died when I was a child, so I had to stop formal schooling and I actually do not read many books. But my favorite book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey. Why? Because it is the all-time bestselling book in our National Bookstore!”
Senator Cynthia Aguilar Villar. A legislator and former banker, Senator Cynthia Aguilar Villar is the not-so-secret weapon behind the success of Vista Land founder Manny Villar. Her influence extends beyond legislation, contributing to the raising of humble and disciplined children Paolo, Mark and Camille, none of whom became spoiled.
Dr. Vicki Belo and Cristalle Belo-Pitt. Dr. Belo, a renowned beauty entrepreneur and marketing whiz, has not only built a beauty empire but also raised an entrepreneurial and articulate successor in her daughter, Belo Group managing director Cristalle Belo-Pitt. They co-founded Belo Essentials skincare line, further showcasing their prowess in the business realm.
As one of the speakers at the recent Shangri-La Plaza Mall’s Thanksgiving Night reception, Cristalle said of her mom: “My mom is a psychology graduate. Even though she didn’t take marketing, she knew marketing well, because she understood people. Since the very beginning, she knew what marketing was all about. The secret sauce to staying relevant is quite simple: Always go back to your ‘why.’ (For Dr. Vicki) It was about making the Philippines the most beautiful country in the world, one person at a time.”
Even the late JG Summit Holdings,Inc. founder John Gokongwei, Jr. had a high regard for Dr. Vicki, telling me that she is a descendant of the very rich Cebu self-made Chinese immigrant tycoon Nicasio Chiong Veloso.
These women are not just outstanding business leaders; they are architects of legacies, contributors to Philippine economic progress, and inspirations for future generations. Their diverse stories exemplify resilience, intellect and unwavering commitment to excellence.