The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) is paying tribute to 12 icons of the local retail industry through a coffee table book. ‘Legends, Lives, and Legacies’ gives honor to the significant contribution of these businessmen to the growth of Philippine retailing through the years. All 12 are part of the elite list of the PRA President’s Awards.
“These icons’ invaluable contribution to the Philippine retail industry truly deserves PRA’s highest recognition,” PRA President Paul A. Santos (who is also the president of Picture City) said. The coffee table book was launched on February 27 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City. The event was spearheaded by PRA Vice Chairman and PRA President’s Award proponent Mars Chua and Vice Chairman Jorge Mendiola.
‘Legends, Lives, and Legacies’ briefly narrates the icons’ success stories and recognizes their relentless dedication and invaluable contributions to the retail industry. PRA emphasizes that the lives and stories in the publication serve as an inspiration and underline the value of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. The coffee table book is also part of the association’s 41st year celebration.
The 12 outstanding icons who are honored in the book are: SM Investment Corporation’s Henry Sy (Father of Philippine Retailing); Ayala Group’s Fernando Zobel de Ayala (Pillar of Philippine Retail Development); Araneta Group’s Jorge Araneta (Pioneer of Philippine Retail Entertainment); Blims Lifestyle Group and Philippine Franchise Association’s Samie Lim (Pioneering Pillar of Franchising); National Bookstore’s Socorro Ramos (Matriarch of Philippine Retailing); Robinsons’ John Gokongwei Jr (Champion of Retail Entrepreneurship); Rustan’s and Shopwise’s Bienvenido Tantoco Sr (Father of Luxury Retailing), Mercury Drug’s Mariano Que (Father of Health and Wellness Retailing); SM and BDO’s Teresita Sy-Coson (Philippine Retailing’s Woman Visionary Leader); Megaworld’s Andrew Tan (Pillar of Mixed-Use Developments); Puregold’s Lucio Co (Patron of Micro-retail Entrepreneurship); and Wilcon Depot’s William Belo (Patriarch of Home Building Retail).
PRA honors 12 icons of Philippine retailing during coffee table book launch. Present during the event were (from left): Araneta Group management consultant Rowell Recinto for Jorge Araneta; Ayala Malls general manager Mariana Zobel de Ayala-Aboitiz for Fernando Zobel de Ayala; Philippine Franchise Association chairman emeritus and BLIMS Lifestyle Group chairman Samie Lim; SM Investments Corp. vice chairman Tessie Sy-Coson; National Bookstore Inc. founder Socorro Ramos; Wilcon Depot Inc. founder and chairman William Belo; SM Investments Corporation chairman Jose Sio for Henry Sy; Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. President, COO & Executive Director Robina Gokongwei-Pe for John Gokongwei Jr.; Mercury Drug president and general manager Vivian Que-Azcona for Mariano Que; Puregold founder and chairman Lucio Co; Megaworld vice president Christine San Joaquin for Andrew Tan; and Rustan’s administraton manager Paolo Tantoco for Amb. Bienvenido Tantoco, Sr.