Mercedes T. Gotianun, the wife of the late taipan Andrew Gotianun and Chairperson Emerita of the Filinvest Group of Companies, has passed away on Dec. 11, 2022 at the age of 94.
In a statement, the conglomerate said it deeply mourns the loss of Mrs. Gotianun who passed away on surrounded by her loved ones.
Mercedes or “Chita” was regarded as the perfect complement to the visionary leader Andrew as his tireless implementor.
Widely admired for her work ethic, she was known to be organized, determined, and energetic. She persevered to accomplish her goals extraordinarily.
Andrew and Chita’s harmonious synergy created a fruitful conglomerate now known as Filinvest Development Corporation.
Now, among the country’s major conglomerates with interest in Filinvest Land and Filinvest Alabang for land development, East West Bank for universal banking and Davao and North Cotabato Sugar Central.
Hotels under the Crimson and Quest brands and power generation under Filinvest Utilities and infrastructure in the Clark International Airport among other new ventures.
Even as a young student, Chita was a hardworking achiever. She graduated Valedictorian in both elementary and high school from the College of the Holy Spirit.
She maintained her status as a University Scholar through four years of college and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS Pharmacy degree from the University of the Philippines. She was also a member of the Sigma Delta Phi sorority.
She was an admired business leader who will be remembered as the first woman President of a Philippine Universal Bank, having co-founded and led Family Bank and Trust Co. in the 70s and 80s, the precursor to BPI Family Savings Bank.
Mrs. Gotianun was honored as a Legacy Awardee by GoNegosyo’s Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs Awards in 2017 for her achievements as a woman leader in the Philippine business arena.
She also received the Mariang Maya award from Sigma Delta Phi, an award given to distinguished and accomplished members of the sorority.
Mercedes was the eldest among eight siblings, often described as a fierce protector of the family showing her maternal side even during the early years of her life.
She is survived by her siblings, Eduardo, Zenaida, Blesilda and Domingo, Victor and Nenita, Benjamin and Elizabeth, and Celia. The family of Mercedes includes her children, Bibot+ and Marivic, Jonathan and Cristina, Josephine and Joseph, and Michael, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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The article was originally published in Manila Bulletin and written by James A. Loyola.
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