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Filinvest Group Celebrates 70 Years with Partners, Purpose, and Shared Generosity

October 20, 2025
by Filinvest Development Corporation
Executives and top leaders of the Filinvest Group raise a toast during the Partners‘ event. In the photo: FDC Chairman Jonathan T. Gotianun (6th from right), Vice Chairperson Josephine Gotianun Yap and Ambassador Joseph Yap, President and CEO Rhoda A. Huang (center), and FDC COO Ysmael Baysa (3rd from left) with presidents and senior leaders of Filinvest companies.

The Filinvest Group recently gathered for a special celebration with its valued partners on September 17 to honor 70 years of enabling dreams together. The event called The Dream Continues, led by the Gotianun family and the conglomerate’s senior executives, was attended by business partners from the various companies within the group.

As a diverse conglomerate spanning real estate, banking, power, hospitality, sugar, and infrastructure, the Filinvest Group continues to uphold its commitment to nation-building and inclusive growth. More than a night of appreciation, the event became a meaningful celebration as the group extended support to a foundation that helps feed those in need. 

Filinvest executives welcomed distinguished guests: (upper left) FDC Vice Chairperson Josephine Gotianun Yap with JK Tourism Development General Manager Jinhee Kim Romeral; (upper right) SEC Chairman Francis Lim and Philippine National Bank (PNB) President Edwin Bautista; (bottom left) FDC Chairman Jonathan Gotianun with JG Summit Holdings President Lance Gokongwei; and (bottom right) JCB Philippines Business Development Manager Yasutaka Nomura and JCB Philippines Country Head Wataru Tamura with FDC Chief Operating Officer Ysmael V. Baysa.

10,000 meals were donated through Loaves x Fish, a charity kitchen that provides free hot meals for the poor, abandoned, marginalized and forgotten. Since opening its doors in 2024, the kitchen has served over 325,000 meals with the support of its donors, its more than 1,700 volunteers and in partnership with 30 parishes and NGOs. 

“I hope this gathering allows us to pause for a while and enjoy the company of friends, while reminding us of what matters most – relationships that are strengthened by trust and that help more Filipinos achieve their dreams,” said Jonathan Gotianun, Chairman of FDC and EastWest Bank. 

“As we look ahead, we share a common love for our country and a commitment to making a difference. Filinvest is dedicated to doing its part, and we hope everyone will continue to do their share in helping our nation grow and thrive,” he added. 

The evening celebrated the spirit of collaboration through a creative partnership with industrial designer Selena Placino, known for her thoughtful art pieces. Guests received Sandigan, a set of wooden bookends symbolizing the strength of partnerships. The piece also pays tribute to Filinvest founders Andrew and Mercedes Gotianun, with the words “visionary” and “tireless implementer” inscribed on each bookend. 

Filinvest Partner’s Night brought together bank leaders. In the left photo are FILREIT Fund Managers, Inc.(FFMI) Board of Director William Valtos Jr. with PNB President Edwin Bautista and China Bank Capital Corp. President Ryan Tapia. In the right photo are EastWest EVP and Head of Branch Banking Group Ivy Uy with NEO CEO Ramon Rufino.

The toast was led by Josephine Gotianun Yap and Francis C. Gotianun. “As we look back at the past 70 years, may we be guided by our history of vision, resilience, and partnerships. May the dreams and legacy of our parents and founders, Andrew and Mercedes, continue to push us to enable more dreams together.. And here’s to the future, the next 70 years of innovation, transformation, and hope.”  

At the Filinvest Partner’s Night: In the left photo are (from L-R) Genpact VP for Facilities, Engineering and Security Arnold Pagcaliwagan; Filinvest REIT Corp. (FILRT) President and CEO Maricel Brion-Lirio; Filinvest Cyberparks Inc. (FCI) Assistant Vice President, Office Leasing Head Jan W. Estrella; FCI Senior Leasing Manager Rona Gamera and Genpact Finance Manager Mon Pedracio. In the right photo are (from L-R) COL Financial Group Founder Edward Lee, FDC President and CEO Rhoda A. Huang, COL Financial Group Vice President April Lee Tan, and FDC VP Corporate Communications Head Suzette Naval.

The partners’ event reflected a legacy built not only on business achievements but also on lives touched. From pioneering developments that shaped skylines to financing dreams through EastWest Bank, and initiatives that uplift communities, the Group reaffirmed its commitment to making growth meaningful for all. 

Filinvest Partner’s Night was graced by different partners and executives: In the upper photo (from L-R) are Filinvest Alabang Inc. (FAI), SVP for Residential and Estates Daphne Sanchez and FAI President and CEO Catherine Ilagan with Royal Pineda+ Architecture and Design, Arch. Royal Pineda, Arch. Onet Coronel and Roslu von Kauffman. In the bottom photo (from L-R) are Metro Clark Realty Corp. President Macario Rufino, Jollibee Foods Corp. Chief Real Estate and Design Officer William Tan Untiong, and Robinsons Retail Inc. Chairman Robina Gokongwei-Pe.

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