Go Lam Drive, Cebu City

The access road leading from Juan Luna (formerly San Jose dela Montana and now Pope John Paul II Avenue), Mabolo, Cebu City to the International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Plant and office is known as Go Lam Drive.

The road is named after Don Go Lam founder of the IPI located at its present site in Mabolo, Cebu City. Go Lam was the President of the Association for the Boycotting of Japanese Products, he was likewise the Founder of Asia Drug, Inc. and Go Lam and Company.

The Cebu City Council on Feb. 18, 1991 on motion of Councilor Arnulfo R. Ravina seconded by Councilor Manuel L. Concepcion enacted City Ordinance No. 1390 naming a road in honor of Don Go Lam.

Don Go Lam was born in Xiamen, China, and when he came to the Philippines, he was adopted by Don Manuel Gotianuy, the father of Atty. Augusto W. Go. Thus the family name GO and the first name LAM. He married Maria Sy and had the following children: George Wong, David Wong, George Castillo, Dr. Sergio Castillo, Pio Castillo, Sixto Castillo and daughter Fe.

The precursor of IPI was the Botika Asia with a laboratory located at Echavez St., Cebu City. The first product was the formulation called "Efficascent Oil". The company started with a loan from the DBP in the amount of P70,000.

The second product was the "Omega Pain Killer" and followed by many other products after the successes of its earlier herbal ointments. The children of Don Go Lam, to perpetuate the goodness of their father, established several foundations. The first was established on Mar. 1, 1989 the "Bread for the Philippines Foundations". Then on Apr. 22, 1993 the Don Go Lam Foundation was incorporated and existed up to 2006 and later changed to its present name, IPI Foundation in Apr. 24, 2006.

It is important to let it be known that the purpose of the business established by Don Go Lam, expanded by his heirs, was for "Goodness to Humanity" and profit was just incidental.

The purposes of the foundation are:

-To provide livelihood programs to the indigent

-To extend healthcare programs to the depressed communities

-To provide scholarships to poor but deserving students who desire to pursue college education

-To provide care programs for the disabled, the aged, the orphans and the inmates, and

-To help in the recovery of calamity stricken areas

Don Go Lam died on Dec. 19, 1956 but his memory of invaluable service toward the growth and progress of Cebu City will forever remembered with a street named after him.