This road to success has a name

It was a fitting tribute to the legacy of Big John, the Gokongwei Group founder whose riches-to-rags-to-riches story continues to be told in every Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) mall, condominium, hotel; in every Cebu Pacific flight; in every Universal Robina Corp. product; in every Robinsons Retail Holdings shopping mall, grocery, department store and so much more.

On Aug. 5, RLC officially renamed Bridgetown Avenue as John Gokongwei Jr. Boulevard, creating a permanent tribute to the taipan just days before what would have been his 100th birthday on Aug. 11.

At the unveiling ceremony, John’s only son, Lance, president and CEO of JG Summit Holdings, said, “This avenue is more than a physical tribute or a name on a sign. It is a living reminder of the path my father paved for all of us. It represents the foundation upon which the entire Gokongwei Group stands, and the benchmark of integrity and purpose that continues to guide our journey forward.”

Many people know John Gokongwei as a bold entrepreneur, a visionary who built businesses from the ground up.

But Lance said that to his family, and to those who worked closely alongside him, John Gokongwei was first and foremost a teacher.

“My father lived his life by a set of very simple, non-negotiable principles: relentless hard work, absolute integrity, prudence in managing what we are blessed with and an unwavering belief in the potential of the Filipino. He didn’t just teach us these values in words; he demonstrated them every single day in the way he lived, the way he treated people and the way he made decisions,” Lance recalled.

“He showed us that true vision isn’t just about dreaming big – it’s about having the grit and discipline to turn those dreams into reality for the service of others,” Lance added.

Surviving, adapting, thriving

Perhaps John Gokongwei’s biggest success is evident in the fact that his empire, now under the leadership of Lance, has outlived him and, more importantly, had the courage to adapt to the changing times.

JG Summit, for instance, made the bold move to exit the petrochemical business, as the times called for, even if it meant saying goodbye to Big John’s dream of building a modern manufacturing industry in the country.

“By naming the road in his honor, RLC celebrates a century of his vision while recognizing the hard work, resilience, discipline, prudence and long-term thinking that shaped his life and the businesses he built,” RLC said.

Riches to rags to riches

John Gokongwei Jr. was 13 years old when his father died.

As the eldest child, he began helping support the family and learned at an early age to meet hardship with resourcefulness.

From his challenging circumstances and humble beginnings, he slowly built businesses that expanded opportunities for Filipinos, disrupting the market.

Budget carrier

One very concrete example was the introduction of budget carrier Cebu Pacific.

As a side story, let me share with you that during a recent dinner hosted by Sabin Aboitiz, we talked about Aboitiz Shipping Company and the iconic SuperFerry, a major inter-island passenger and cargo ferry brand in the Philippines.

We recalled those times in the late 1980s when Filipinos would travel days and nights to get to the provinces. That was how it used to be back in the day, before the era of budget carriers.

These ferries were a big help to Filipinos, of course, and at the time, were the choice for many because traveling by plane was very expensive – more than double, if not triple, the price.

The SuperFerry made it possible for people to go home to the islands, but it took a while, 24 hours or more.

The Aboitiz Group eventually exited the shipping business for various reasons.

Eventually, John Gokongwei introduced Cebu Pacific, whose maiden flight from Manila to Cebu took place on March 8, 1996.

It was no doubt a game changer, and the rest is history.

Suddenly, people could travel home to the provinces in just an hour or two, instead of spending days and nights in the middle of the deep blue sea.

A road that carries the vision forward

And that was how John Gokongwei was. He built businesses around the needs of Filipinos.

At Bridgetowne estate, RLC said that same people-first philosophy is reflected in a road designed to make daily movement easier.

John Gokongwei Jr. Boulevard is at the center of Bridgetowne, playing a role in bringing John’s vision to life.

Along the road is a 200-meter bridge that provides a direct route between the Quezon City and Pasig sides of Bridgetowne, connecting the two cities.

Bridgetowne can be reached through C-5 Road, Ortigas Avenue and Amang Rodriguez Avenue.

The boulevard’s practical purpose makes it especially meaningful as a tribute to John Gokongwei.

RLC said that with the renaming, his name becomes part of a place shaped by the same belief that guided his life’s work: growth is most meaningful when it improves lives and strengthens communities.

John Gokongwei’s journey is a reminder that one can not only survive but thrive in our consistently challenging country.

And now, his road to success has a name – his very own.

Lance said: “May this boulevard serve as an enduring symbol of his spirit – a reminder that with vision, discipline and a heart for our nation, there are no limits to what we can build together.”

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