Jose Go also known as Joseph Gotianuy was born of Chinese parents on December 5, 1914 in Cebu City. His father was Don Manuel Gotianuy, who was the son of Don Pedro Lee Gotiaoco and Disy Go. Don Pedro is said to be the father of Doña Modesta Singson Gaisano and Don Sergio Suico Osmeña.
Joseph studied at the Cebu Chinese School, and after finishing the third grade he had a Mrs. Shelton for tutor. Later he enrolled in the De La Salle College in Manila, where he finished his intermediate course. In 1929, Joseph left for Hong Kong and enrolled for three years in De La Salle College of that city. Then he proceeded to the United States and continued his studies in Armstrong College in California, in the University of California.
Joseph, returned to the Philippines in August 1940. He married Gim F. Lock, an American-born citizen of Chinese parents. Joseph grew up learning how to speak and write English and Cebuano.
Joseph worked as an insurance agent and inspector of the Visayan Surety Company (it holds office at the Don Pedro Gotiaoco Building, the first building in Cebu City with an elevator and airconditioning unit, it is now converted as Chinese Sugbo Museum situated along M.C. Briones Street fronting the Cebu City Hall) from which occupation he averages an annual income of P2,500 pesos.
Joseph Gotianuy applied for naturalization before the Court of First Instance of Cebu. However, the presiding judge, Higinio B. Macadaeg denied his petition. The trial court gave importance to the proofs presented by its oppositor. Joseph's application for naturalization was opposed by the "Anti-Chinese League of the Philippines," which was represented by Don Vicente Yap Sotto and Mr. Felipe Fernandez.
Political detainees, Pedro Gerona and Pedro Labra testified before the trial court that during the war (November 1943) alleged that Joseph Gotianuy sold to the Japanese Army one Fairbanks-Morse motor and two truck tires. Pedro Labra also said that Mr. Gotianuy donated to the Japanese Navy P50,000 in case and some scrap iron.
Joseph Gotianuy denied the allegations of the oppositors swearing that in August 1942 he evacuated to the barrio of Tupsan, Mambajao, Camiguin and stayed until September 1944. Joseph appealed the decision of the Court of First Instance denying his petition for naturalization.
Joseph was assisted by famous Cebuano lawyers at that time, Don Mariano Jesus Cuenco (who served as governor of Cebu, congressman and Senate president) and Regino Hermosisima. They went to the Supreme Court and challenged the decision of Judge Macadaeg. Don Mariano Jesus Cuenco became a lawyer on July 14, 1913 while Regino G. Hermosisima became a lawyer on August 22, 1946 and Judge Macadaeg was admitted to the Bar on November 6, 1922.
The Supreme Court on August 30, 1949 through Justice Ozaeta reversed the decision of the Court of First Instance and Joseph Gotianuy's petition for naturalization was granted. The Supreme Court said that the Anti Chinese League of the Philippines was not a proper party to oppose the application of Gotianuy. The testimony of the witnesses was also of doubtful credibility. The membership of Gotianuy with the Chinese Association of Cebu City should not also be a sufficient ground to reject his naturalization.
Later in life, Joseph Gotianuy became general manager of Royal Lines Inc., his father Don Manuel founded the Cebu Shipyard and Metal Works and became president of the Cebu Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Don Manuel became the leader of the family's business empire when Don Pedro Gotiaoco died in 1921. A street in Cebu City, near the Redemptorist Church starting at the corner of General Maxilom Avenue is named after "Don Manuel Gotianuy."