Gokongwei Scholars’ Conversations - CEBU Leg

Eight of the 34 Gokongwei Scholars reunited in Cebu last August 7 and 8 for the University of San Carlos and Southwestern University leg of their Project Hope Warrior Caravan. During this affair, the group had the privilege of meeting Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia, Atty. Augusto W. Go and Dr. Edward Gaisano. They were joined by Cebuano National Youth Commissioner Mike Acebedo Lopez who facilitated all three encounters with Cebu’s distinguished leaders. Each interaction served as a continuation of the “Conversations” lecture series that the Scholars began in Beijing, where they invited some of the most successful Filipinos based in China like CNN Beijing Bureau Chief Jaime FlorCruz and Communications Director of the China World Shangri-La Hotel Dianne Fermin-Roeder to share their knowledge and insights with them.

At the Capitol with Governor Gwen Garcia

The Scholars visited Gov. Garcia at the Capitol last August 7. For most of the scholars, it was their first time to meet the governor. After a two-hour interaction with the governor, some of the scholars who were not from Cebu joked about relocating to the province for good because of the projects being implemented by the provincial government.

Atty. Augusto Go and the Go Family Heritage

The scholars also met with Atty. Augusto Go that day. Atty. Go is the 2008 Cebu Business Month Entrepreneur of the Year and is a cousin of John Gokongwei Jr.

He charmed the scholars with his grandfatherly attitude and his stories about Pedro Gotiaoco and the families whose lineage can be traced back to him: the Gokongweis, the Gaisanos, the Gotianuys, the Gotianuns, and, according to popular speculation, the Osmeñas. Throughout the conversation, Atty. Go would pepper his stories with tips on how to be successful in life based on other people’s stories and his own experience. According to Atty. Go, his own formula for success includes frugality, hard work, and a little bit of luck.

Dr. Edward Gaisano and the CCCI

On August 8, the scholars met with Dr. Edward Gaisano, President of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mrs. Teresa C. Pono, Executive Director of CCCI, for a very stimulating discussion of Cebu and its economy, Filipinos doing business with the rest of the world, the role language has played in the Philippines’ development, and some of the scholars’ more memorable experiences from China. For the Scholars, one of the most important lessons they took learned from the event was on the importance of asking questions and always keeping a macro or holistic perspective in mind when trying to understand any issue, question, point or event.