The changing landscapes of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - Founded in 1936 by my father Dr. Jimmy Go Puan Seng, The Philippines Yearbook of The Fookien Times has evolved into more than just a coffee table book. To many of us, it reads like the business men and women’s “Vogue” magazine because every page is interesting, not just the editorial pages but the pages of Ads as well. If I may quote my friend Gigi Montinola, president of BPI bank, he commented many years ago that anyone who wishes to know who the top companies, banks and brands are in this country need only check out the advertisers in The Philippines Yearbook.

At the launch of our 2013 edition at the grand ballroom of the Marriott Hotel, 12 major awards were handed out to companies who have totalled 40-65 years of advertising support to the only publication of its kind in this country. These awards were both meaningful and historic because the companies who have reached this pinnacle have not only supported the Yearbook for decades and decades, but have proven themselves to be outstanding, each in their field of endeavor, and worthy of our praises and emulation. As President Noynoy Aquino said in his message in this year’s Yearbook: “The Fookien Times Philippines Yearbook has provided a broad perspective of nationhood by publishing an annual summary of our significant achievements as a people”.