Rose’s four of a kind

Notes on the beat

(A “Robina’s Fantastic 4” sequel)

Every blockbuster deserves a sequel. So does Robina’s Fantastic 4.

This time, it is Rosemarie “Rose” Bosch-Ong’s turn to name her “four of a kind” – business leaders whom she looks up to in the dynamic and ever-evolving Philippine retail industry.

Rose, who serves as senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of home improvement and finishing construction supply retailer Wilcon Depot Inc., one of the 36 Philippine companies that made it to the Asia-Pacific’s Best Companies of 2026 list by TIME, is an industry veteran who started out in the business as a purchasing manager.

She was able to make a name for herself, becoming a rose among the thorns as a woman succeeding in a male-dominated construction and home improvement sector.

A University of the East graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Ong has been named by no less than tycoon Robina Gokongwei-Pe as among the four women retailers in the country whom she admires.

So it is just but fitting that Rose starts her list with Robina, daughter of the late retail tycoon John Gokongwei Jr. and the current chairman of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.

“Of course Robina Gokongwei,” Ong shared in an interview with The STAR. “She has proven herself, not just because she is the daughter of the owner. I really admire her always being true to herself.”

Rose described Robina as “very people-oriented,” while also stressing her humility as a commendable trait.

Second on her list, and not far behind, is Tessie Sy-Coson, current vice chairperson of conglomerate SM Investments Corp. and chairperson of banking giant BDO Unibank.

Ong kept it short and sweet when it came to the daughter of the late taipan Henry Sy Sr., saying: “She’s a strong woman-leader.”

Of course, Rose will not leave her boss, Wilcon founder and chairman emeritus William Belo, out of the list—not that she is forced or required to do so.

“He is very service- and product-oriented,” she said, referring to Belo, a University of Sto. Tomas graduate who was recognized as an Outstanding Thomasian Engineer and was awarded as one of the People of the Year by People Asia and Patriarch of Home Building Retail by the Philippine Retailers Association.

Last but not the least for Rose is the late Zenaida Tantoco, a leader and visionary in the country’s high-end luxury retail industry who served  as chairman and CEO of the country’s leading specialty retailer SSI Group Inc. and chairman of Rustan Commercial Corp. and Rustan Marketing Corp.

“Nedy is the epitome of high fashion retail. She really introduced the luxury brands to the country,” Rose said.

Having previously served as president of the Philippine Retailers Association, Rose maintains her rosy outlook for the retail industry despite headwinds.

“We are always positive on our outlook for the industry. We’re always looking at the positive side of things,” she said.

Her optimism is reflected in Wilcon’s continuing expansion plans this year, with the company looking to add as much as eight stores in its network to support demand for major home improvement and finishing construction supplies in more parts of the country.