Top 100 Cebuano Personalities - Frank Gaisano

CEBU, Philippines — Frank S. Gaisano is one of the second-generation Gaisanos recognized as one of the frontrunners in the country’s retail industry.

Gaisano, who now sits as the Chairman and CEO of the Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI), is working closely with siblings Margaret, Jack, and Edward.

Before his appointment as CEO, he served as the company's Director from 2003 to 2011, and has been a vital figure in leading the aggressive growth of MRSGI.

Gaisano is completely hands-on with MRSGI’s financial development, aptly describing his approach to retailing as ‘fundamental.’

A Civil Engineer by profession, Gaisano has also completed several courses at the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Gaisano’s close to four decades of retailing experience backed by the company’s heritage and history, has equipped him with substantial knowledge in all aspects of retail. With him taking the leadership reins in the company is what’s giving them a fair advantage over other retail chains.

He is concurrently the chairman of the boards of AB Capital and Investment, Pacific Mall Corporation, and Vicsal Investment, Inc.  He also holds director posts for Vicsal Development Corporation, Taft Property, Filipino Fund, Inc., Taft Punta Engaño Property, Inc., and Direct Model Holdings, Inc. 

The Gaisanos started their retailing business in 1949 when Doña Modesta Gaisano, together with her five sons, established the White Gold Department Store in Cebu City, a high-end shop at that time selling mostly luxury products and believed to be the first department store and supermarket business in Cebu.

The White Gold lasted for 30 years and became the largest of its kind since its inception in 1949.

When the Gaisano matriarch died in 1981, the five sons agreed to divide the estate so they can pursue their respective business interests.

Using a property in Colon Street in Cebu City as his share in the estate, the second youngest son, Victor Gaisano -- with his wife Sally -- decided to build his own department store, known then as Metro Gaisano, which officially opened in 1982.

Instead of selling imported products similar to his family business, the late Victor, known to be a seasoned retailer and one of the revered members of the Gaisano family, focused on positioning his department store to the mass market by selling locally manufactured products.

Today, MRSGI has over 50 multi-format retail stores located in key cities in Visayas, Luzon and Metro Manila.

About 35 years after Victor founded the Metro Group, the second-generation Gaisano children are now taking charge the homegrown family business.

Frank Gaisano and his siblings all played a vital role in the growth of MRSGI, which entered a big corporate milestone in November 2015 when it debuted at the Philippine Stock Exchange as a publicly traded company.