Ryna Paula L.

Iballa Industrial Marketing System (INEN3163)

BSIE 4-1 Engr. Joseph Vincent E. David

Analysis and Reaction Paper: “The Chinese-Filipino Businessman and their Preference of

Dealing with Other Chinese-Filipino Businessmen.”

During the 1970s, Chinese-Filipinos experienced a fundamental shift in their standing in

the Philippine society (Abinales and Amoroso, 2017). Ferdinand Marcos who was the president

at that time, sees the Chinese community’s value as political allies, thus, naturalization laws

were liberalized. Lucio Tan was one of the Chinese-Filipinos who became a Marcos associate

even before 1972. Lucio Tan is said to have provided large contributions to Marcos and his New

Society Movement, and cut the president into a large equity stake in his firms (Abinales and

Amoroso, 2017). By 1980, extensive support from the palace in gaining tax, customs, financing,

and regulatory favors, Lucio Tan’s Fortune Tobacco Co. had become the largest maker of

cigarettes in the country. No one can’t deny Lucio Tan’s talent for business. He has played with

the big boys and has become one in the process.

Even after the Marcos Regime, the Chinese-Filipino community’s economic presence

continued to be highly visible, with Chinese-Filipino families holding a substantial or controlling

interest in four large private banks, the textile industry, food and real estate, manufacturing.

“The Chinese” became full members of the Philippine nation in 1990s, wherein they now invoke

their citizenship in expressing political preferences and promoting interests. Chinese-Filipino

families were prominent in the society pages of newspapers, and their literature and other

cultural works were eulogized in literary and artistic article (Abinales and Amoroso, 2017).
 Henry Sy is a tycoon as all we know. He was once a small entrepreneur who sells shoes

in Quiapo, Manila. By 1972, the small shoe store became SM Quiapo, SM's first stand-alone

department store. Now, he owns every “SM Malls” you can find anywhere in the city. He is also

in the industries such as retail, real estate, banking and finance. He was ranked as one of the

wealthiest people in the world according Forbes Magazine. Henry Sy is a legend for me. He is

really the living proof of the quotation, “From Rags to Riches”. He is determined to reach his

goals and through hard works and perseverance he became who he is today.

If the Philippines were to ever proclaim a national brand, it would most likely be

Jollibee. But Jollibee is established by a Chinese-Filipino Businessman, Tony Tan Caktiong. It all

started as an Ice cream store in Cubao and Quiapo. Until he decided to serve hamburgers, fried

chicken, and spaghetti as people began to tell him that they don’t want to eat ice cream all the

time. It was then that they decided to rebrand and change their name to “Jollibee” as it

represents them as a company, and the people that they cater to – hardworking and happy.

Even though McDonalds has entered the market, the Philippines is the only country where

McDonald’s comes second because Jollibee is the leading in Quick-Service Restaurant.

Based on my observations and research, Chinese-Filipino businessmen are an expertise

in the field of business. They know what and how to act around people especially to those who

they can be benefited. They are well-aware on things or other factors that can affect their

business. They are very business-minded people which can have a good and bad side. But

overall, in terms of business, Chinese-Filipinos are very influential and play a big part in our

economy.