Update Notice (Nov 2025): This article was refreshed with improved formatting, ASK Framework integration, a speakable intro, and an FAQ section.
Success has many definitions, but understanding it becomes clearer when we learn directly from Filipino entrepreneurs who built their success from the ground up.
These quotes remind us that success is rarely accidental—it’s shaped by mindset, discipline, and the courage to move despite uncertainty. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a corporate adulting professional, these insights offer practical wisdom you can apply today.
JACKLYN LUTANCO-CHUA • Success 101
“Real entrepreneurs know success doesn’t just happen to them; they make it happen. It’s about taking control of their future—otherwise, they won’t have much of one.”
RAFFY DAVID • Pilipinas Teleserv
“Success is always there at the horizon. To get there, know how to chart the surest path, and follow it—no matter what happens along the way.”
HENRY SY • SM Investments Corp.
“There is no such thing as overnight success or easy money. If you fail, do not be discouraged; try again. When you do well, do not change your ways. Success is not just good luck: it is a combination of hard work, good credit standing, opportunity, readiness, and timing. Success will not last if you do not take care of it.”
LUCIO TAN • Fortune Tobacco Corp.
“The more bitter the lesson, the greater the future success.”
JOHN GOKONGWEI JR. • Robinsons Department Stores
“Success is not about connections, shortcuts, or chamba—the three Cs of bad business. Believe me: success is achieved through hard work, frugality, integrity, responsiveness to change, and most of all, boldness of dream. These were never just slogans for me. I lived by them.”
GEORGE LORENZANA • Office Warehouse Inc.
“Be careful with your overhead. The success of a company depends on keeping your costs down.”
💡 The ASK Takeaway
These success principles align powerfully with our ASK Framework — Align • Strengthen • Kickstart:
- Align personal values with long-term purpose and responsible entrepreneurship.
- Strengthen your decision-making by learning from real-world entrepreneurial wisdom.
- Kickstart action by applying practical principles—discipline, frugality, courage, and clarity of direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are considered top Filipino entrepreneurs?
Some of the most influential Filipino entrepreneurs include Henry Sy, John Gokongwei Jr., Tony Tan Caktiong, Socorro Ramos, and Injap Sia. They built businesses that shaped Philippine retail, food, and service industries.
What is the most recurring theme in their success stories?
Discipline, frugality, grit, lifelong learning, and the courage to start small. Most began with limited resources but made consistent, values-driven decisions.
How can employees apply these success lessons?
You don’t need a business to practice entrepreneurial thinking. Applying initiative, resourcefulness, problem-solving, and cost-consciousness can significantly elevate your career.
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