LUCIO TANBefore working in the tobacco industry, Lucio Tans first business was a scrap. His dream was to become a scientist but his fortune was bound to become an entrepreneur. His hard work made him successful and popular in the business industry. Now, he owns Asia Brewery, Tanduay, Fortune Tobacco, Philippine Airlines, Allied Bank, and many more to mention. 1

HENRY SY, SR.From having a modest shoe store in Quiapo, Manila, to becoming the owner of the Philippines biggest chain of shopping malls was the most common account we can associate to Henry Sy. He finished his Associate in Arts in Commercial Studies at the Far Eastern University, in Manila. Today, he was recognized by Forbes as the wealthiest man in the Philippines.2 SM Foundation, Inc. is the largest retail and shopping mall operator in the country. His company operates three of the ten largest shopping malls in the world. Henry Sys business acumen is so sound that professors in college and graduate programs in the Philippines frequently use his business model to teach students and budding entrepreneur the fundamentals of business.3 His self-discipline, perseverance, and hard work made him what he is today.

ALFREDO YAO

SENATOR MANUEL VILLARPopularly called as Manny, rose to fame as an entrepreneur- slowly but surely- he started from being a shrimp vendor in Divisoria, to being a supplier of gravel and sand to a housing contractor, to being a big named home developer. He finished his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree at the University of the Philippines, in Diliman, Quezon City. He expanded his business by building houses and subdivisions all over the country. Today, he is holding the third highest position in the Philippine government and is considered as the richest senator of the land.5 Villar is one of the worlds self-made billionaires, his uncommon zest, bold vision and high aspirations has made himself Southeast Asias biggest home builder.

SOCORRO RAMOSPoverty and the lack of Education did not hamper Mrs. Socorro Ramos to achieve the success of her business. She started working as a salesgirl when she was 18 years old. At first, her dream was to become a doctor but it was set aside when she met her husband, Jose Ramos. Together, they put up the National Bookstore which is considered as the largest chain of bookstores in the country. Their vision was to expand the bookstore from Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao for cheaper and easy access to books and school supplies. It was then realized because of her passion in selling, hard work and determination. Today, more than 70 National Bookstores can be found nationwide.

Successful entrepreneurs in the Philippines are a dime a dozen. But, those people mentioned above are some of the entrepreneurs whose business success started from rags to riches. Their hard work, perseverance and determination served as their ultimate key to pursue their visions amidst the challenges they had encountered in life. According to Henry Sy, If you fall, do not be discouraged; try again. When you do well, do not change your ways. Simplicity and humility are the two essential values evident among them. What they had achieved today did not change who they are. Their love and passion to their work allowed them to be socially aware to the needs and wants of the people. Lastly, all of them have their own creativity and resourcefulness in terms of finding new strategies in the field of market. In short, they believCitations:

1. 10-famous-successful-filipino-entrepreneurs, http://ourhappyschool.com/education/10-famous-successful-filipino-entrepreneurs (September 6, 2013)2. Crisologo, Evangelista and Farin, Some of the Outstanding Filipino Entrepreneurs in the New Millenium, Technology and Livelihood Education I (p. 316), THE LIBRARY Publishing House, INC. 20083. Lori Boyd, 5 Successful Entrepreneurs in the Philippines, http://www.mademan.com/mm/5-successful-entrepreneur-philippines.html#ixzz35YJaWef9 (September 15, 2010)4. 10-famous-successful-filipino-entrepreneurs, http://ourhappyschool.com/education/10-famous-successful-filipino-entrepreneurs (September 6, 2013)5. Crisologo, Evangelista and Farin, Some of the Outstanding Filipino Entrepreneurs in the New Millenium, Technology and Livelihood Education I (p. 315), THE LIBRARY Publishing House, INC. 2008

"Whenever I want something I really work hard to get it. Theres no such thing as suwerte. -Socorro Ramos