Republika ng Pilipinas

Lungsod ng Batangas
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NAME: Nueva Mary Joy Contact No. (043) 402 – 1450

Section: BTLED 2-1

OUTPUT # 1 – COMPETENCIES OF ENTREPRENEURS Score:

Henry Sy: The Mall Mogul

Henry Sy, often referred to as the “Father of Philippine Retail,” is the founder of SM
Group, a conglomerate known for its chain of supermalls. Sy was born in Xiamen, China,
in 1924 and migrated to the Philippines at a young age. His journey began modestly; after
World War II, he started selling surplus American shoes in Manila.

Common Traits: Sy’s resilience, vision, and hard work were pivotal in his success.
Despite early failures, including a store destroyed during the war, he persisted and
gradually expanded his business. His ability to see opportunities in the burgeoning retail
sector and his commitment to providing quality products at affordable prices set him
apart.

How He Started: Sy’s business journey began with a small shoe store, “ShoeMart,” in
1958. His keen business acumen and focus on customer satisfaction helped ShoeMart
grow, eventually evolving into the SM Group, which includes malls, retail stores,
banking, and real estate.

Tony Tan Caktiong: The Fast Food Tycoon

Tony Tan Caktiong is the founder of Jollibee Foods Corporation, a multinational

company known for its fast-food chain, Jollibee. Born to a poor Chinese immigrant
family in Davao City, Tan Caktiong’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. His family ran
a restaurant, which laid the foundation for his future business endeavors.

Common Traits: Like Sy, Tan Caktiong demonstrated resilience, innovation, and a
strong customer focus. His willingness to adapt to market demands and his passion for
quality and service were crucial to his success.

How He Started: Tan Caktiong’s journey began in 1975 with an ice cream parlor.
Realizing that customers also wanted hot meals, he diversified the menu to include
burgers and other fast food items. This pivot led to the birth of Jollibee, which rapidly
grew into a leading fast-food brand in the Philippines and beyond.

Socorro Ramos: The Bookstore Pioneer

Socorro Ramos, co-founder of National Book Store, has a story that exemplifies
determination and adaptability. Born in 1923, Ramos started her career in retail at a
young age. Along with her husband, she founded National Book Store in 1942.

Common Traits: Ramos’ perseverance, adaptability, and customer-centric approach

were key to her success. Her ability to overcome challenges, such as the destruction of
their store during World War II and navigating various business obstacles, showcases her
resilience and dedication.

How She Started: National Book Store started as a small stall in Escolta, Manila, selling
school supplies and books. Despite the hardships of war and economic instability,
 Republika ng Pilipinas
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Ramos’ commitment to providingNo.
Contact (043) 402 educational
affordable – 1450 materials helped the store grow
into the largest bookstore chain in the Philippines

Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in the economic development of any country, and the
Philippines is no exception. Among the many successful entrepreneurs in the nation, Henry Sy,
Tony Tan Caktiong, and Socorro Ramos stand out due to their incredible journeys and
substantial contributions to the business landscape. This essay explores the common traits they
share, highlights the entrepreneur I admire most, and discusses the qualities essential for success
in entrepreneurship. Examining the lives of Henry Sy, Tony Tan Caktiong, and Socorro Ramos
reveals several shared traits that have significantly contributed to their success. First and
foremost, resilience is a key trait among these entrepreneurs. Each of them faced numerous
challenges but demonstrated remarkable resilience. Henry Sy dealt with the destruction of his
store during World War II, yet he persisted and rebuilt. Tony Tan Caktiong started with an ice
cream parlor and pivoted his business model in response to market demands, creating the fast-
food giant Jollibee. Socorro Ramos rebuilt her bookstore multiple times amidst wartime
destruction and economic challenges.
Another common characteristic is vision. These entrepreneurs had a clear vision for their
businesses. Henry Sy saw the potential in the retail sector and expanded his shoe store into the
conglomerate SM Group. Tony Tan Caktiong envisioned a global fast-food brand rooted in
Filipino culture, leading to the international success of Jollibee. Socorro Ramos aimed to make
educational materials accessible and affordable, growing National Book Store into the largest
bookstore chain in the Philippines. Adaptability was another trait that all three entrepreneurs
exhibited. Sy diversified his business interests into malls, retail, banking, and real estate. Tan
Caktiong expanded Jollibee’s menu to include more hot meals, catering to local tastes. Ramos
adapted her product offerings to meet the evolving needs of her customers. Finally, their
journeys were characterized by relentless hard work and dedication. This commitment allowed
them to grow their small ventures into large-scale enterprises. Their ability to persevere and
maintain dedication to their goals is a testament to their success.
Among these inspiring figures, I admire Tony Tan Caktiong the most. His journey from
operating a modest ice cream parlor to founding a multinational fast-food chain, Jollibee, is
incredibly inspiring. Tan Caktiong’s story is a testament to the power of innovation and
adaptability. His ability to identify and capitalize on market opportunities, coupled with his focus
on maintaining the cultural relevance of Jollibee, has created a beloved global brand. This blend
of innovation, strategic thinking, and cultural pride makes Tony Tan Caktiong a standout
entrepreneur. The stories of Henry Sy, Tony Tan Caktiong, and Socorro Ramos offer valuable
lessons in resilience, vision, customer focus, adaptability, and hard work. Their journeys from
humble beginnings to leading large enterprises demonstrate that success in entrepreneurship
requires a blend of these essential traits. Among them, Tony Tan Caktiong’s innovative spirit and
global success with Jollibee stand out as particularly admirable. Aspiring entrepreneurs can draw
inspiration from these trailblazers and embody their qualities to navigate the challenges and
opportunities in the entrepreneurial world.