Born from JG Summit’s commitment to social responsibility, the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) was set up in 1992 to help uplift the socio-economic condition of Filipinos through the funding of educational projects.

The first of these was the Technical Training Center for skilled graduates in various engineering fields. A significant endowment by the foundation to the Ateneo de Manila University then led to the John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM), a regional powerhouse in the field of management education. It has also aggressively donated facilities and scholarships, and supported educational programs to help train our next generation of business and government leaders in schools such as Immaculate Concepcion Academy, Xavier School, De La Salle University, the University of Asia and the Pacific and the University of San Carlos. The foundation even donated its prime lot in Ortigas for the EDSA Shrine. In 2007, GBF granted 34 young Filipinos, the first batch of GBF China Scholars, with full year-long scholarship to the prestigious Beijing Language and Culture University, in Beijing China. These scholars study Mandarin and Chinese culture in the hopes of strengthening the Philippines’ global competitiveness by application of knowledge in their home country.

Through the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation’s continuing commitment to education, JG Summit intends to fulfill its responsibility to the country – and lead Filipinos to an even better life ahead.

Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Technical Training Center

The GBF Technical Training Center (GBF TTC) is a P100 million facility in Rosario, Pasig City, a “finishing school for graduates” in various technical and engineering fields.

The center offers the following:

• Technical Courses: GBF offers scholarship programs for engineering graduates, with focus on technology
• Continuing Technical Professional Education: GBF offers programs for JG Summit incumbents, with focus on upgrading technical knowledge and skills
• Retail & Service Academy: started in 2003, courses that address the needs of the retail and service businesses

The Children’s Library

The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation has empowered many educationally-disadvantaged children through The Children’s Library (TCL), the first public library funded by a private organization. This program, which is a joint project with Robinsons Malls, makes available books, multi-media equipment, and educational activities in various public libraries in Metro Manila.

In 2000, TCL opened its doors to the Filipino youth. Aside from its facilities in Robinsons Novaliches and Robinsons Imus, this interactive learning and entertainment venue has expanded its reach to accommodate more public school children with its TCL Corners in both San Juan Public Library and the Pasig Public Library. In all these venues, TCL regularly holds educational and entertaining activities such as storytelling sessions, puppet shows, film showing and workshops.

JG Summit and The Children’s Library are continuously working towards a future where multi-media resource centers are available to every child, and where communities contribute to the total development of the Filipino youth.

Gokongwei Brothers Foundation China Scholars

The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) China scholarship was established to develop a pool of young professionals who will spearhead efforts to strengthen the global competitiveness of the Philippines through learnings from the Chinese language and culture.

For the first batch of scholars, the scholarship committee awarded 34 college graduates and young professionals the rare opportunity to fly to Beijing, China for a one-year full scholarship program at the prestigious Beijing Language and Culture University.

Chosen based on academic standing, leadership ability, cross-cultural experience, career goals, and emotional maturity, the scholars were formally presented to the program’s proponent and GBF Chairman of the Board, John Gokongwei, Jr. during a send-off dinner. The initial set of scholars are: Mick Martin Aguirre, Maria Carolina Casas, James Jasper Chua, Justin Dela Cruz, Antonio Adrian Habana, Catherine Jao, Pam Marie Ko, Cecille Joyce Lao, Michael Gil Manalastas, Angela Cecilia Nibungco, Jose Mikhail Yap V and Jan Clarizz Salindong from Ateneo de Manila; Tito Aldecoa III and Alice Mae Mamhot of Siliman University; Joseph Niño Augusto from University of San Carlos; Chiden Balmes, Janryll Fernandez, and Donna Therese Mangilit from UP Diliman; Jenner Chan and Jeannie Laurene Chua Kao of Ateneo - Davao; Melvin Jabar, Katherine Rose Chua and Vincent Villamor from DLSU-Manila; Mara Cordial, Leizl Villapando and Christian Adam Espiritu, graduates of UP-Los Baños; Atty. Maruel Daguinod, Southwestern University; Forage Marie Domingo of UE-Manila; FEU’s Jan Vincent Galas; Katrina Gamboa from Ateneo de Zamboanga; Khaled Magumpara, Mindanao State University; Paolo San Gabriel from UST; and Central Philippine University’s Marvin Segura. Appointed batch leader is Atty. Lesley Jeanne Cordero, who finished her bachelor’s degree from University of San Carlos and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Ateneo de Manila University.

The scholars were presented to the members of the scholarship committee composed of: former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Gabriel Singson; Elizabeth Yu Gokongwei, member of the GBF Board of Trustees; Bobby de Ocampo, past president of AIM; Antonio Go, Equitable Foundation Chairman; newspaper columnist Wilson Lee Flores; Joan Cotio, past president of Chiang Kai Shek College; and Fr. Johnny Go, Xavier School director.

JG-ILED

The John Gokongwei Institute for Leadership and Enterprise Development (JG-ILED) was developed in 2005 to: (1) further strengthen the commitment to continued learning, organizational growth and career development; (2) enable leaders to develop strategies for competitiveness of the company; and (3) help in the development of JG Summit employees.

Currently, JG-ILED is in the process of developing different training programs that will cut across the different employees of the conglomerate. These programs will be geared towards building business success, developing leadership and strengthening functional capabilities. As JG-ILED is being evolved, it is positioned to become the platform for systematic and sustained development programs that maximize internal resources across JG Summit and create a one leadership brand among its employees.

Speeches of John Gokongwei, Jr.

» 10/24/2008:
John Gokongwei's Speech at the Columbia Business School Pan-Asian Reunion

» 11/21/2007:
John Gokongwei's Speech at the 20th Ad Congress

» 03/27/2004:
Commencement Address: Ateneo

» 01/29/2004:
University of San Carlos

» 03/01/2002:
Launch of the Ateneo de Manila University John Gokongwei School of Management