John Gokongwei Jr. is the founder of JG Summit. According to Forbes, he leads “one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines with interests in air transportation, banking, food, hotels, power, chemicals, real estate, and telecommunications.” The Gokongwei family also deals in the Philippines second-largest multi-format retailer, Robinson Retail Holdings, as well as Universal Robina Corporation, the largest food and beverage companies in the Philippines.
In 2014, Mr.Gokongwei was honored at the annual Luminary Awards Gala and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award. The award celebrates the successful his career of hard work, financial prudence, and his ability to grow over time in response to constant change. Mr.Gokongwei’s successfully built one of the region’s colossal business powers. Coming from a background of poverty, he remains one of Asia’s most successful self-made business billionaires.