Filipino-Chinese entrepreneurs: Taking business to next level

MANILA, Philippines - “The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.” This Confucian adage is just but one of the wisdom that compels and inspires the young men and women of The Association of Young Filipino Chinese Entrepreneurs (AYFCE) to be the future catalysts in business and social progress in the country.

Exactly 21 years ago, 17 young entrepreneurs and professions founded the Anvil Executive Club to boost the economy and at the same time mentor like-minded Filipino-Chinese, who, like them want to reach out to those in need, and at the same time foster progress. Eventually, as the club evolves, it change its name to AYFCE.

Today, those founders and conveners who started the club are now leaders of various industry, creating and pioneering business domains, opening opportunities not only to their beneficiaries but to future movers and shakers of Philippine economy.

And to celebrate its milestones and  21st anniversary and at the same time foster entrepreneurial endeavors among Filipinos, AYFCE held a summit titled “Game Change: Taking Your Business to the Next Level.” The event brought together successful businessmen such as David Lim, president of Solidgroup (Myphone); Edward Lee, chairman and founder of COL Financial (former Citisec Online); Cecilio Pedro, founder of Lamoiyan Corp. makers of Hapee Toothpaste; Martin Lorenzo, chairman and chief-executive-officer, Pancake House Inc.; Johnlu Koa, founder and chief-executive-officer of French Baker and Chatime; and RJ David, co-founder and managing director of Sulit.com.ph.

The event, which was held last Nov. 8 at the Shangrila Hotel hopes to inspire second and third generation entrepreneurs and even those who are already established in their own rights who want to make a change in the society.

“We want them to be game changers like our past leaders,” says Hubert Henry Chua, the current vice president of AYFCE.

It started out in 1991 as the Anvil Executive Club, founded by 17 young entrepreneurs and professionals of the Filipino Chinese community led by founding chairman Elena Tanyu Coyiuto.

The goals of the organization were to promote entrepreneurial courage, professional excellence, traditional Confucian values and civic consciousness.

“The club exists so that older members the ones that are already accomplished can mentors young and budding businessmen like me and eventually produce the future movers and shakers in Philippine business,” says Chua.

The AYFCE is one of the dynamic business organizations in the Philippines, promoting free enterprise ideals and social development in the Philippines, socio-civic and cultural projects, and the propagation of traditional Confucian moral values. 

The group also seeks to help project a positive image of the Filipino-Chinese business community as a catalyst of Philippine socio-economic progress, through many projects such as economic and management seminars, donations to typhoon and other calamities, free medical missions to urban poor communities in Metro Manila, etc.  

As time and history manifest, the Filipino-Chinese community has been a staunch supporter of economic growth and social reforms in the country.  â€œThe vision of the founders is that Anvil, which is not AYFCE will be the breeding and training ground for young entrepreneurs and professional for social progress, nation building and other useful functions in our society,” Chua explains.

Through the years, the club has already produced countless successful young business leaders, entrepreneurs and excellent individuals who can be considered as game changers in their own rights.

To name a few, George Siy, Jovenson Ong (the current president of AYFCE), Mike Tan, Wilson Lee  Flores are just some of the members who have tremendously succeeded in their chosen fields.