Profile of Taipan Andrew L. Gotianun, Sr.

The visionary who built a multi-billion business empire.

Andrew L. GotianunANDREW L. GOTIANUN SR. spent his teenage years salvaging ships in the Visayas to supplement the family income during and after the Second World War. After the untimely demise of his father, Gotianun found himself head of his family at the tender age of 20. It was a responsibility he took seriously.

The volatile nature of the shipping business, however, soon prompted Gotianun and his young wife, Mercedes, to explore other opportunities in Manila in the mid-50s. Armed with some borrowed money and a strong determination to succeed, the Gotianuns first ventured into second-hand car financing. Encouraged by their early success, the husband and wife team established Filinvest Credit Corporation, and later Family Bank and Trust Company (FBTC). Under Gotianun's stewardship, FBTC became one of the biggest financial institutions in the country in the 70s.

In the late 1980s, Gotianun made a strategic decision to concentrate on real estate. It proved to be a wise move as it gave Filinvest a headstart over the other real estate companies that eventually came into play. This company developed a landmark as the real estate industry was starting its meteoric rise. Today, Filinvest is among the leaders in the Philippine real estate industry.

Following the liberalization of the Philippine banking industry, Gotianun made a comeback in banking in 1994 through East West Banking Corporation. His diversified businesses today include power generation, construction and information technology. The Filinvest Group is now a multi-billion conglomerate.