Untold Stories about John Gokongwei

The Ticket By Antonio Go Chairman, Equitable-PCI Bank

We were in Sydney for the Olympics and were on our way to a boxing match. John had an extra ticket given to him free by another entity. As we arrived outside the venue, he did not want to go inside with the extra ticket. So, he found someone to buy the ticket from him. In effect, he made money on something he acquired for nothing, and someone who wanted to see an Olympic event got to do so. Both parties were happy.

This shows John’s ability to seize the moment, ensure an opportunity is not missed, and keep the customer happy.

* * * The Newspaper and The Overcoat By Uy Ching Shiong Childhood friend

Most people have to buy the newspaper they read. But when John was younger, he would get the newspaper from the newspaper boy every morning and then return it an hour later. He would pay five cents which was half the cover price.

While visiting Elizabeth who was then studying in the US, John needed an overcoat. Instead of buying a new one, he picked up one from his used-clothing store. He wore it to visit Bia and his future mother-in-law. He did not know that he was wearing a lady’s overcoat.

The Bidding By Henry Sy SM founder

In business, John and I are tough competitors. I remember when the Ortigas property, where Robinsons Galleria now stands, was up for sale. He and I bid for it. His bid was P1,900 per square meter while my bid was P2,000. I was happy because I thought I won. Then John said he would also take care of paying the five percent agent’s commission, or another P100 per square meter, in effect offering the same amount I did. I insisted, of course, that I won that bid because the agent’s commission was not part of the terms of bidding. John said he would go to court. Paco Ortigas was naturally apprehensive about the prospect of a court case. Considering he was selling a property for the first time in a long time, he did not want even the slightest hint of negative publicity. He also felt that the legal process would take 10 years. So he instead decided to throw in another property for sale and proposed that a toss of a coin would determine who would get the property. That way, everyone comes out a winner. So Mr. Ortigas tossed the coin and that’s how I ended up with the SM Megamall site.

After this deal, John and I would be at cocktails, and people would be wondering if we were still talking. Of course we were. On a personal level, John and I are friends. I remember on his 65th birthday, we toasted him. As he raised his glass, I saw his eyes with a thoughtful, faraway look. I whispered: "John, I know what you are thinking. Three things. One, everyone knows your age. Two, you are wondering who your future in-laws will be. (To this, his daughter Robina said, ‘That’s true.’) And three, you are wondering how you will spend the rest of your time."

Now, regarding his possible retirement, I think it is difficult to give up something one enjoys doing. Just the same, I’ll only believe it when it really happens.

The Haircut By Jess Sassiloc Bodyguard since 1992

The million-dollar man Mr. John was known to many for being the busiest businesssman in the country. At his age I think he is the most aggressive in the country. Because of his hectic schedule, he forgets to visit the barbershop most of the time. He asked one time, if I’m going to compare him with personalities, whose personalities best fitted his character? I said Albert Einstein. He was very happy when I said that because Albert was known for his genius. But I think Mr. John misunderstood me. I was never referring to Albert’s genius but I’m referring to his hair.

One day when he was still at PCI after office hour Mr. John finally decided to go to the barber. We go to the nearest barbershop he knew at Atrium. We go around and around, he keeps on looking for the place. Finally he saw it but the place is closed already because it’s 8:30 p.m. Luckily, we saw one downstairs. It was called Head Zone barbershop. Thank you, I said quietly to myself, finally Mr. John’s hair will have the edge of scissors. The last time we visited the barber was already six months ago, to be exact. When we entered the shop, Mr. John said, "Meron barber?" "Yes, Sir," a woman replied. After 30 minutes and the artistic moves of a gay barber, the art is finally done. Mr. John is a new man again. After that, it’s payment time. Mr. John approaches the cashier and brings out his wallet from his purse. He asked, "How much?" The woman replied, "P120 Sir." When he opened his wallet, he looks for money, unfortunately he could not find anything. The only things inside were a bunch of credit cards and a bunch of scratch papers. "Do you accept card?" Mr. John asked the cashier. "No Sir, we are only accepting cash." When I heard that my heart begins to pump like the drums of the symphony orchestra that I’m always hearing from the car stereo of Mr. John because I have only P20 in my wallet, which was enough for my daily transportation to go home. Mr. John asked me, "Do you have money, Jess?" I said, "Sir, I don’t have. Wait lang, Sir ha? I will look for my co-bodyguards, I will try to raise money." It took five minutes to locate my first co-bodyguard. I asked him, "Meron ka bang pera?" He replied, "Meron!" I asked him, "Magkano?" "P50!" "Oh my," I said, "akin na." He replied, "Bakit?" I answered, "Basta akin na." And then I asked, "Where is our driver?" He answered, "Nasa parking." I ran to the parking to look for our driver. When I found him I immediately asked, "How much money do you have in your wallet?" He said, "P100." "Good," I said, "give me." "Why?" he asked. I said, "Just give, I tell you later." And then I ran back to the barbershop to pay our dues. When I arrive Mr. John is staring at me. He asked me, "Where did you get the money?" I said, "We chip in. Sir." And Mr. John unleashed his big laugh.

The Golf Games By Gabriel Singson Former Central Bank governor

John and I used to play golf at Wack-Wack regularly on Sunday afternoons. Everytime he hits the ball right, he makes a loud roar, shouting: "See, see that Gabby...what a good shot?" His roar was so loud that it frightened the golfers putting on the green ahead of us, normally over 300 yards away. It was not often, though, that he made a good shot; otherwise, I was afraid we might get ejected from the golf course.

After golf, we always had a snack in the clubhouse, ordering our favorite pansit lomi, costing at that time P30. We used to order only one bowl and split the lomi equally. I told myself that when the Governor of the Central Bank and the top businessman in our country share a P30 pansit lomi, then this country can be a tiger economy, if only for its austerity.

After two years, John stopped playing golf, saying that it was too hot in the afternoon. So I suggested we play in the morning, but he said that he cannot wake up early. But I was convinced that the real reason for his giving up golf is that he realized he cannot be the top golfer in the country. As we all know, John is highly competitive, and he always wants to be the best in all his endeavors, whether in business or sports.

Wack-Wack golf course is now quiet on Sunday afternoons.

The Airline Incident By Jess Sassiloc

How many men stand behind their countrymen? Mr. John is one of them. This happened on our way to Davao for the annual PCIB managers’ conference. PAL that time was known for being "plane always late" because of technical and labor problem. After waiting for an hour in a market-type waiting area Mr. John humbly stood from his seat when it was time to board. His Cebu Pacific Air just debuted but was not yet servicing Davao. We reached the aircraft only to find out that we would be delayed again for an hour due to a technical problem. Everybody was angry. A poor stewardess was the shock absorber of this crisis. The story begins when one white passenger insulted the stewardess next to Mr. John’s seat. Mr. John interfered and said that if you don’t like the country you are free to leave. Since Mr. John was in a first class, the stewardess came rushing to me. She said, "Hoy yung boss mo nakikipag-away doon." After a moment, the white guy kept quiet. This action gained Mr. John the admiration of the staff. I asked myself why did he fight for that girl since PAL was a competitor. Why did he waste his time and energy since we were also victims of PAL’s delay and there was a clear possibility for him to sway others to his airline? I never understood this until I got to know him more deeply.