The Philippines, characterised by its familial ties and a strong sense of community, is home to several family-led brands and establishments–some have even become cornerstones of the nation’s economic and cultural landscapes. With many coming from humble beginnings and others from accidental (or providential) success, these companies have grown, with each generation adding its touch to preserving tradition while ushering in innovation.
For instance, the Sy family’s SM Malls have expanded into a vast business empire, from retail to real estate. The same goes for Rustans, which, from its original spot at the Tantoco’s home in Manila, has become the country’s foremost purveyor of luxury retail.
In the food and beverage industry, the iconic Max’s, Aristocrat and Milky Way groups remain some of the industry’s long-standing family-run restaurants, with the new generations taking the lead and continuing their respective families’ legacies.
Behind the big names are new leaders who have kept traditions alive, passing down skills and business acumen from the elders to the youth. These family-operated enterprises are more than just businesses; they’re legacies. Their continued success speaks volumes about the Filipino values of hard work, perseverance and, above all, the importance of family in building and sustaining the nation’s rich commercial heritage.
The Material World
Perpetuating the legacy of Benny and Glecy Tantoco, the rest of the family strives to continue “serving the finest”
Back in 1952, inside the comfort of their San Marcelino home in Old Manila, the late husband and wife Bienvenido “Benny” Tantoco, Sr and Gliceria “Glecy” Rustia-Tantoco showed their friends a collection of unique products from their frequent travels abroad. Glecy’s taste in curation often attracted many visitors to their place, eventually prompting the couple to finally put up their first store.
Years later, this business evolved into what is now known as the Rustan Group of Companies (RGOC), one of the
