Gokongwei lands prestigious award for business excellence

MANILA, Philippines — Tycoon Lance Gokongwei, president and CEO of conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc., has been recognized for his leadership and immense contributions to the Southeast Asian business landscape.

Gokongwei has been named as the recipient of the prestigious EY-Bank of Singapore Asean Entrepreneurial Excellence award, solidifying his place as one of the region’s most influential leaders.

The award recognizes business leaders who inspire excellence across industries and is given to successful Southeast Asian entrepreneurs who drive not only economic growth but also create positive societal change for the region, values which Gokongwei exemplifies.

“I want to make a positive and lasting difference in everything I can do and pay it forward,” Gokongwei said.

Gokongwei ensures that profitability is balanced with a commitment to creating value for stakeholders, employees and the communities that his companies serve.

His focus on innovation, inclusive growth and sustainability has also helped position JG Summit as a key driver of economic progress across Southeast Asia.

JG Summit has successfully expanded its presence throughout ASEAN through its subsidiaries Universal Robina Corp. (URC) and Cebu Pacific.

URC has been providing products that cater to the diverse needs of consumers across the region, establishing operations in major markets including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Cebu Pacific, on its end, contributes to regional connectivity by driving tourism, trade and mobility with flights spanning Southeast Asia.

Gokongwei’s commitment to innovation is likewise seen in his digital initiatives such as GoTyme, a digital banking venture launched in collaboration with Singapore’s Tyme Group.

GoTyme highlights Gokongwei’s vision of financial inclusion through digitalization, providing millions of Filipinos with seamless access to banking services that were previously unavailable to them.

His leadership in JG Summit has likewise played a vital role in advancing the goals of the ASEAN Economic Community, which seeks a more interconnected and competitive Southeast Asia.

With the region continuing to experience rapid development, the JG Summit Group said that Gokongwei’s leadership shows a powerful example of how commercial success can go hand in hand with social responsibility.

“His enduring legacy of paying it forward ensures that his influence will resonate far beyond the boardroom, inspiring others to make a lasting impact on their own communities,” it said.

Gokongwei will receive the EY-Bank of Singapore Asean Entrepreneurial Excellence award today in Singapore.