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Big John: The Life Story of John Gokongwei Jr.
Big John Gokongwei and his family run many businesses. They include brands such as Chippy, C2, Maxx, Cloud 9, Payless instant noodles, Great Tast coffee, Cebu Pacific, Robinson's Department stores and malls, and YES! magazine.
But Big John didn't always have money. Many years ago he was little John with no money at all.
This is the story of how a young boy learned the value of dreaming big, working hard, and never giving up.
But Big John didn't always have money. Many years ago he was little John with no money at all.
This is the story of how a young boy learned the value of dreaming big, working hard, and never giving up.
22 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
29 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
Yvette Fernandez
11 books16 followersYvette Fernandez is the editor-in-chief of Town & Country magazine. She lived for many years in New York but is happy to be home with her family and her Peter in Manila.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 28, 2012
This is the life story of John Gokongwei, Jr. the third richest entrepreneur in the Philippines. Since this is in comics format, a children's book actually, the intent is to inspire common people not only to get rich by being entrepreneurs but also how to turn misfortunes to opportunities and eventually to success.
John Gokongwei, Jr. was born to a rich businessman Chinese father. However, when that father died, he left many loans so John's mother has to sell all their properties and brought back three of John's younger siblings back to China. Then she, John and the one next to him, worked by doing a buy-and-sell business. This was during World War II. Their business prospered since people did not have anywhere to buy their goods. So, after the war, they started manufacturing starch that became the basic staple for their food and cosmetics companies. The rest is history. John Gokongwei and his family now owns a lot of big companies: chemicals, food, airline, mall chain, mobile service provider and even an entertainment showbiz magazine. The Gokongwei family even has also donated buildings and money to big universities here in the country and part of the proceeds of this book will go to a charitable institution.
I read this 22-page comics while standing on queue inside the bank. It took me less than 5 minutes to finish this. Then, I brought this home and my 17-y/o daughter read it and liked it. I hope this will also inspire my wife to finally start her own business. She has been dreaming of having one since more than a year. In fact, she will be attending a franchising seminar today while I am on my way to the book club's face-to-face discussion tonight for Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day.
John Gokongwei, Jr. was born to a rich businessman Chinese father. However, when that father died, he left many loans so John's mother has to sell all their properties and brought back three of John's younger siblings back to China. Then she, John and the one next to him, worked by doing a buy-and-sell business. This was during World War II. Their business prospered since people did not have anywhere to buy their goods. So, after the war, they started manufacturing starch that became the basic staple for their food and cosmetics companies. The rest is history. John Gokongwei and his family now owns a lot of big companies: chemicals, food, airline, mall chain, mobile service provider and even an entertainment showbiz magazine. The Gokongwei family even has also donated buildings and money to big universities here in the country and part of the proceeds of this book will go to a charitable institution.
I read this 22-page comics while standing on queue inside the bank. It took me less than 5 minutes to finish this. Then, I brought this home and my 17-y/o daughter read it and liked it. I hope this will also inspire my wife to finally start her own business. She has been dreaming of having one since more than a year. In fact, she will be attending a franchising seminar today while I am on my way to the book club's face-to-face discussion tonight for Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day.
August 21, 2015
I am glad that I have found such a simple biography which is supposed to be for children. Somehow I can read little information on how John Gokongwei Jr. succeeded in life . I still can’t afford to buy his officially thick biography; its price can break both of my pockets.
John Gokongwei Jr. is the owner of Robinsons Malls , one of the largest shopping malls and retail operators in the Philippines. He is called the Big John because he owns many kinds of businesses. He is the owner of Cebu Pacific Airlines, Yes! Magazine, the popular Filipino snacks such as Chippy, Cloud 9, Curls, and even of the beverages like C2 Tea and Great Taste Coffee. In fact, he is always included on the list of richest men in the world by Forbes Magazine , ranking behind Henry Sy, Lucio Tan, Enrique Razon, and Andrew Tan, another influential business tycoons in the Philippines .
Despite that it is not a thick children book, it somehow tells some important timelines for how he began as a poor child and persevered in getting along in life. Originally, he was not born as poor as a church mouse . He grew up in a big house with a fountain and a personal nanny as described in the story . It just so happened that his father had kicked the bucket and eventually lost his business. To pay the big debt his father had owed, his mother had to sell the house along with the fountain. To help his mother, at young age, he was an entrepreneur for different kinds of products which he could sell from Cebu, where he grew up, to Manila. And most importantly, the book tells how Gokongwei Jr. showed determination and willingness to work and save money, an attitude which his brothers and sister adapted. In the end, his siblings and he all worked together until they had reached the acme of their prosperity. Therefore, this book was written to teach children how to be diligent in order to become rich. ^^
John Gokongwei Jr. is now 89 years old. He has now 42 Robinsons Malls branches nationwide. He is now immortal, notably for the urban legend that one of his malls is said to have a twin anthropomorphic serpent brought up on the ground floor of a branch somewhere in Manila. The twin is said to be fed with a beautiful woman. Until now this legend has been a mystery. Pooh-bah!
John Gokongwei Jr. is the owner of Robinsons Malls , one of the largest shopping malls and retail operators in the Philippines. He is called the Big John because he owns many kinds of businesses. He is the owner of Cebu Pacific Airlines, Yes! Magazine, the popular Filipino snacks such as Chippy, Cloud 9, Curls, and even of the beverages like C2 Tea and Great Taste Coffee. In fact, he is always included on the list of richest men in the world by Forbes Magazine , ranking behind Henry Sy, Lucio Tan, Enrique Razon, and Andrew Tan, another influential business tycoons in the Philippines .
Despite that it is not a thick children book, it somehow tells some important timelines for how he began as a poor child and persevered in getting along in life. Originally, he was not born as poor as a church mouse . He grew up in a big house with a fountain and a personal nanny as described in the story . It just so happened that his father had kicked the bucket and eventually lost his business. To pay the big debt his father had owed, his mother had to sell the house along with the fountain. To help his mother, at young age, he was an entrepreneur for different kinds of products which he could sell from Cebu, where he grew up, to Manila. And most importantly, the book tells how Gokongwei Jr. showed determination and willingness to work and save money, an attitude which his brothers and sister adapted. In the end, his siblings and he all worked together until they had reached the acme of their prosperity. Therefore, this book was written to teach children how to be diligent in order to become rich. ^^
John Gokongwei Jr. is now 89 years old. He has now 42 Robinsons Malls branches nationwide. He is now immortal, notably for the urban legend that one of his malls is said to have a twin anthropomorphic serpent brought up on the ground floor of a branch somewhere in Manila. The twin is said to be fed with a beautiful woman. Until now this legend has been a mystery. Pooh-bah!
November 13, 2020
I read it twice within a day and I still have the same admiration when I first knew Big John's story years ago. From the words selected up to his life story, you will feel his humility and passion in what he does. This is a book I will read to children and I am sure they will love this humbling story.
November 10, 2020
A very simple children story that echoes the very values of our company. Sir John's story is super inspiring.
December 11, 2012
The book is another addition to the collection of biographic story books for children in the Philippines. John Gokongwei Jr. is a good story for inspiring kids to dream big, persevere, and bounce back after failures. Though, its inordinate length is a big weakness, especially the wall of text in the second spread of the book.
In particular, I liked the mini-lessons inserted throughout the story for enterprising kids, especially the questions they should answer with “Yes!” before starting a business. These lessons teach young readers about decision-making skills.
As for the illustrations by Abi Goy, I loved them. The characters are cleanly and elegantly illustrated, which were a contrast to the rough texture and complex designs in the background. The effect was very appealing to the eyes.
I couldn’t help chuckling over a page that seemed to be an advertisement of products managed by the Gokongwei family. Even the blurb was used to advertise, which is clever, but made it more ad than blurb.
I like how the “I” or John Gokongwei Jr.’s viewpoint is used to narrate the story. It feels intimate, like an old wise man revealing his life lessons to the reader. The last page of the story where he tells readers that what mattered most in his life was not his business but his family was particularly touching. Yvette Fernandez did a great job in creating this sense of intimacy.
(www.xizuqsnook.blog.com)
In particular, I liked the mini-lessons inserted throughout the story for enterprising kids, especially the questions they should answer with “Yes!” before starting a business. These lessons teach young readers about decision-making skills.
As for the illustrations by Abi Goy, I loved them. The characters are cleanly and elegantly illustrated, which were a contrast to the rough texture and complex designs in the background. The effect was very appealing to the eyes.
I couldn’t help chuckling over a page that seemed to be an advertisement of products managed by the Gokongwei family. Even the blurb was used to advertise, which is clever, but made it more ad than blurb.
I like how the “I” or John Gokongwei Jr.’s viewpoint is used to narrate the story. It feels intimate, like an old wise man revealing his life lessons to the reader. The last page of the story where he tells readers that what mattered most in his life was not his business but his family was particularly touching. Yvette Fernandez did a great job in creating this sense of intimacy.
(www.xizuqsnook.blog.com)
December 20, 2012
Prior to this children-theme book, I have read another biography of John Gokongwei. I'm really fascinated by his humble beginning. Poverty didn't prevent him to achieve his dreams instead it's his driving force to excel more in his business. Very inspiring and teaching the readers, young and old, so many good values. Don't stop believing in yourself! Highly recommended!
July 30, 2013
My review at GMA News Online
July 23, 2015
It a good book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews