Top 100 Cebuano Personalities - Don Sulpicio Go

CEBU, Philippines — With the archipelagic makeup of the Philippines, one of the most promising industries in the country would be shipping.

However, not many businessmen were so keen on venturing into shipping considering the risk that it entails.

But business leader Sulpicio Go Guioc So took on the challenge and got into the maritime transportation business in 1953 as managing partner of the Carlos A. Gothong Lines, Inc.

He molded the small trading company into a multi-million peso shipping firm.

In 1973, Sulpicio created his own shipping company with his sons and formed Sulpicio Lines, Inc.

Sulpicio Lines started a fleet of 12 vessels with an aggregate tonnage of 12,033.17. The fleet then increased with a gross tonnage of 88,209.62.

When he was making the rounds of Leyte, Samar, and Cebu, he learned of the difficulties met by towns in economic isolation and out of reach of the ships. So when he had his own fleet, he made sure that his ships would ply the tertiary and developmental routes, while other companies were serving the affluent routes.

According to his children, it was Sulpicio’s way of giving back to the country. He wanted to share what he earned to the “economic growth of the underdeveloped and out-of-the-way areas.”

Sulpicio connected the isolated towns to the big cities, which contributed largely to the national economy.

One of Don Sulpicio Go’s secrets in achieving success was that he was a people person. He is quite skilled in interacting with people. He traveled to many places to trade his goods. An outgoing merchant who is best remembered for his philanthropy.

Don Sulpicio Go Guioc So passed away on March 21, 1992 at age 87. —  JOB (FREEMAN)