CEBUANO tycoon Edmund Sy Gaisano Sr. was recently selected as one of the Entrepreneurship Excellence Awardees for 2015 in the Philippines.
The Entrepreneurship Excellence Award is a recognition given by BizNewsAsia to “the best and brightest entrepreneurs, CEOS and leaders for their vision and management excellence, as well as their outstanding contribution that improved the life and lifestyle of the Filipinos.”
Eddie, as fondly called by his friends, is the only Cebuano recipient.
He was cited for his excellent vision, leadership and managerial skills in transforming his retailing business into one of the largest mall chains in the Visayas and Mindanao that is now called the Gaisano Capital Group.
Eddie is a pioneer entrepreneur from the Philippine south.
He began early in business. Without relying on the clan, he started his own construction firm to raise his family. After that, he opened his first supermarket.
From that modest beginning came their first branch located at the corner of Leon Kilat and Colon Sts., which is now known as Gaisano Capital South Branch. Eddie also went into the hotel and warehousing business.
Years of hard work and perseverance has been the major key factors in the company’s phenomenal growth. Currently, the Gaisano Capital Group has around 35 malls and numerous warehouses in the Visayas and Mindanao.
He has diversified into high-rise and high-end projects. He is currently developing the 16-hectare Gaisano Iloilo City Center (GICC), a township in the center of Iloilo. Once completed, GICC will generate 10,000 jobs for the Ilonggos.
BizNews Asia is the largest and most influential weekly business and news magazine founded in 2001 by Tony Lopez, one of the most senior, multi-awarded and experienced Asian journals with a circulation of 350,0000 readers.
Aside from Gaisano, the other awardees of The Entrepreneurship Excellence Award are Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel Corp.; Teresita Sy-Coson, chair of BDO Unibank and vice chair of SM Investment Corp.; Andrew Tan, chair and CEO of Alliance Global, Inc.; Felipe L. Gozon of GMA Network; former senator Manuel B. Villar, chair of Vista Land; Edgar “Injap” Sia, chair and CEO of Double Dragon Properties; Amable R. Aguiluz VP of AMA Group of Companies and Zenaida Tantoco, chair and CEO of Store Specialists Inc. (Rustan’s).
The awarding ceremony was held during the 14th anniversary celebration of BizNewsAsia last Nov. 25 at the EDSA Shangri-la garden ballroom.
The award and recognition not only gives honor and glory to Eddie and his family, but also brings pride to all Cebuanos. His story is an inspiration to budding entrepreneurs and inspires many to believe that greatness can be achieved by determination and hardwork.
He attributes his success to his wife Judy and children Henry II, Valerie, Eda and Edmund Jr., who are all managing his businesses. A successful man with simple pleasures, those closest to Eddie would attest that his deepest contentment stems from spending time with his grandchildren.
According to Eddie, he would not be where he is today without the support of his lifelong friends. (PR)