John Gokongwei is an entrepreneur who owns one of the top corporations in the Philippines. His is an inspiring story. Here are some excerpts:

…”I was no more than a student then, at San Carlos University in Cebu, when my father died suddenly. It left me, the eldest, the responsibility of taking care of my mother and five siblings. That was tough for someone who was 13. Creditors had just seized our home and business and I had no experience with earning a living.”

…”My day began at 5 in the morning. I would load my bicycle with soap, thread, and candles, and then bike to neighboring towns to sell my goods. On market days, I would rent a stall, lay out the goods from the bike, and make about 20 pesos a day, enough for me to survive and to buy even more goods for next time.”

…”But I chose to live my life unafraid even during times when I WAS afraid. I discovered that opportunities don’t find you. You find your opportunities.“

…”Call it trite – but, believe me, success CAN BE ACHIEVED through hard work, frugality, integrity, responsiveness to change – and most of all boldness to dream. These have never been just easy slogans for me. I have lived by them. I hope that many of you in this room will some day choose to be entrepreneurs. Choose to be an entrepreneur because then YOU create value.”

Inspiring isn’t it? You can read the rest of his speech here.