The Borromeo Family Website

Borromeo: Part of Cebu, the Philippines and Beyond

60,361 people from all over the world have read this article since we went online in 2006 - thank you very much for your interest and for your visits!

Borromeo Bros. Estate, Inc. (BBEI – Holding Company incorporated on February 8, 1933): incorporated from the Estate of Don José Maria Borromeo y Galan (1847-1930) and Doña Margarita Sy Reynes de Borromeo (1853-1931). My maternal great grandfather Don José Maria (“Tatay Pepe”) manufactured horse-drawn “Tartanilla” carts from 1879 onward.  Here is a nice Cebu-based website page on the history of the “Tartanilla” (from Cebu and the Visayas region) and on the “Calesa” (from Manila and the Luzon region): http://cebuwebsite.tripod.com/tartanillas.html.  The similar “Karatela” and “Calesa” horse-drawn carts were manufactured primarily on Luzon, which is home to the bulk of the Philippine population.  They differ from the “Tartanilla” carts at the point of passenger entrance.  The “Karatela” and “Calesa” carts were manufactured by the Barredo family near Manila, a Spanish family which married into the Borromeo clan in 1937.

Origin of the Word “Tartanilla”

“Tartanilla” is merely the Spanish translation of the Italian “Tartanella,” which refers to a small type of sailing fishing vessel used on both coasts of the Adriatic Sea.  These boats range anywhere from a low of 10 tons up to a high of 100 tons full load displacement, and are propelled by a combination of both sails and oars.  The average-sized vessels are called “Tartana,” and are from 40 to 70 tons.  The larger ones are called “Tartanone,” and go from 70 up to 100 tons.  The smallest ones are called “Tartanella,” and are from 10 to 40 tons in size, with one mast and 16 oars.  The “Tartana” have 2 masts and 18 oars, while the larger “Tartanone” are built with 3 masts and 20 oars.  On the Dalmatian (Croatian) coast, these vessels are called “Brazzera.”  The first Italian not under the Spanish flag settled in the Philippines in the 17th century - his name was Gemelli Careri.  When Ferdinand Magellan landed on Mactan Island in Cebu in 1521, there were Spaniards, Portuguese, Italians, Germans and one Malay among his crew members.

The Family Farm in San Isidro, Leyte

He and my great grandmother Doña Margarita (“Nanay Titay”) also had a salt-trading business located at the Cebu City Wharf, the profits from which purchased the large farm in San Isidro, Leyte (now known as “Margarita Agro-Industrial Corporation”). The group has been a “conglomerate” (more than one corporate entity in separate fields of business) since 1971. The largest single shareholding entity in the group is the Salud Borromeo Memorial Foundation, Inc. (operations in San Isidro, Leyte Island and HQ in Cebu City). The parents of Tatay Pepe (Don Maximo Borromeo y Feliz and Doña Hermenegilda Galan de Borromeo) had an estate located in Banawa, Cebu. This estate came into the family in 1844 and was only sold in 1990. My mother was named after Doña Hermenegilda (“Nanay Binda”).

Hier kann man über die Geschichte der Geschäftsgruppe Borromeo in den Philippinen lesen. Seit Karl Kapitän Aro (“Carlos Capitan Aro”) Borromeo im Jahre 1744 in Cavite auf Luzon ankam, gibt es mehr als 800 Famlienmitglieder. Er war Regierungsbeamter. Die Hauptfirma der Geschäftsgruppe Borromeo wurde am 8. Februar 1933 in Cebu gegründet, aber das Geschäft ist wesentlich älter. Heute besteht die Firma aus mehreren Geschäften, wie zum Beispiel Immobilien (Entwicklung, Verkauf und Vermietung für Geschäfte und auch Privatleute), Landwirtschaft (auf Cebu, Leyte und Mindanao), PKW und Motorradhändler (für Ford, BMW, Isuzu, Honda, Kawasaki und Chunlan) sowie Finanzwesen. Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch!

A Family of Old Parian, Cebu City

The parents of Don Maximo and Doña Hermenegilda were Don Carlos Borromeo y Felis and Doña Maria Angela Tupas de Borromeo, who are the ancestors of the two large lines of the modern Cebuano Borromeo family (“mga tambok” and “mga daut” or “mga niwang”). Don Carlos and Doña Maria lived in Parian, along with so many other of Cebu’s City’s leading families. They owned property in various parts of Cebu including Parian, Barili, Naga, Guadalupe and Banawa.

The Borromeo Group of Companies Today

The modern Borromeo business group (the Borromeo Bros. Estate, Inc.) of the Philippines is based in Cebu City, although certain family members have businesses independent thereof. Retail brands represented by the extended family include Honda Motorcycles, Kawasaki, Chunlan, Ford Motor, BMW, Isuzu, Caltex (ChevronTexaco), Shell Oil, Sumitomo-Sime Darby Rubber and GNC. Real estate interests include shopping centers in Cebu, a charity clinic on Leyte, residential rentals in Cebu, landscape architecture in the Southern Visayas, offices in Cebu, resort hotels in Cebu and Mactan, parking garages and agribusiness. Other lines of business include employment services, home healthcare, construction (commercial and residential), transportation and even a dance studio. Most activity is in Cebu, but some business extends throughout the Philippines and even abroad.  The “active” companies in the list below (not including those since liquidated) employ more than 17,900 individuals.

The “Borromean Rings”

The modern Borromeo Group of the Philippines uses the 3 “Borromean Rings” in its official corporate logo.  This famous logo goes back to the Borromeo family of Milan, Italy – a surname in use since 1416.  The Borromeo family of Milan, Italy traces its origin to the Vitaliani family of Padua, Italy – a surname in use since A.D. 66.

Important Notice of Disclaimer:

The following past historical and present business entities are entirely professional entities which have no financial relationship to any extended family members not specifically mentioned herein. Those mentioned apart from the BBEI are thus not controlled by the BBEI. Most BBEI shareholders do not partake in the day-to-day management or operations of the BBEI, and the BBEI is likewise not responsible for their private financial activities. The “official” Internet website of the “Borromeo Group of Companies” may be accessed at: www.borromeo.ph/

Subsidiaries and Retail Outlets:

1.) Honda Motor World, Inc. (26 retail branches located thoughout the Republic of the Philippines).

2.) Motor Ace Philippines, Inc. (Kawasaki Motorcycles from Japan and Chunlan Motorcycles from Mainland China).

3.) Honda Motorworld Lending Investment, Inc. (33 financing offices located throughout the Philippines).

4.) Visayas Auto Ventures, Inc. (owns Auto Zoomzoom, Inc. – a Mazda dealership in Cebu City).

5.) Margarita Agro-Industrial Corporation (currently inactive).

6.) McBros Devleopment Corporation

7.) Tolar Development Corporation

8.) Dearborn Motors Company, Inc.

9.) Ford Alabang; website: www.fordalabang.com (founded in December 2003)

10.) Ford Cavite; website: www.fordcavite.com (founded July 2004)

11.) Ford Laguna (in San Pablo City); website: www.fordlaguna.com (founded in July 2004)

12.) Ford Batangas; website: www.fordbatangas.com (founded in December 2006)

13.) Dearborn Motors Company (Cebu), Inc.

14.) Ford Cebu; website: www.fordcebu.com/

15.) Ford Bacolod (Island of Negros); website: www.fordbacolod.com

16.) Ford Iloilo (Island of Panay); website: www.fordiloilo.com (founded in June 2002)

17.) Ford Cagayan de Oro (Island of Mindanao); website: www.fordcagayan.com

18.) Performance Auto Motor Group, Inc.

19.) Performance Auto BMW (Cebu City); website: www.performanceauto.com.bmw.ph/

20.) Makati Finance Corporation: www.makatifinance.com.ph/

21.) Centro Maximo Borromeo Office Complex (Cebu): headquarters of the Borromeo Bros. Estate, Inc (named after Dr. Maximo Borromeo y Reynes, who lived from 1887-1948).  Built upon the site of the former residence of José Maria Borromeo y Galan (1847-1930) and Margarita Sy Reynes de Borromeo (1853-1931).

22.) Judge Andrés Borromeo Commercial Center (Andrés Borromeo Street, Cebu City): home to the second Philippine monument in honor of the late “Fighting Judge” of Surigao, who lived from 1880-1923.

23.) Borromeo Arcade Shopping Mall (Cebu City)

24.) Cebu Talisay Rest House (former property of Dr. Maximo Borromeo y Reynes)

25.) Cebu Borromeo Elementary School (in Talisay, Cebu Province)

26.) Salud Borromeo Foundation and Memorial Charity Clinic, Inc. (San Isidro, Leyte Island).  One Board seat held by the Vito Borromeo Estate, Inc.

27.) Isuzu Visayas Corporation

Other Firms owned by extended Borromeo family members

28.) Astron-Gestus / Cebu Maxi Management Corporation (Rodriguez-Borromeo Family)

29.) Astron-Gestus, Inc. (Caltex Gorordo Avenue Cebu; Rodriguez-Borromeo Family)

30.) Astron-Gestus #2 (Caltex Cebu; Rodriguez-Borromeo Family)

31.) Sumitomo-Sime Darby / Yokohama Tire Warehouse (Cebu City; Rodriguez-Borromeo Family)

32.) SBA Landscape Architecture, Inc. (Cebu City; Borromeo-Atega Family)

33.) Borromeo-Atega Realty Ventures, Inc. (Cebu City; Borromeo-Atega Family)

34.) Arborville Apartments – Judge Andrés Borromeo Compound (Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City; Borromeo-Atega Family)

35.) Colonia Polanco Office & Apartment Tower (Mexico City, Mexico; Rallos de Borromeo Family)

36.) DCC Staffing Services, Inc. (medical staffing – Los Angeles and Palm Springs, California, USA; Borromeo-Cruz Family); website: www.dccstaffing.com

37.) Ancestral Home Healthcare, Inc. (home healthcare; Los Angeles and Palm Springs, California, USA; Borromeo-Cruz Family); http://ancestralhomehealth.com

38.) Borromeo Technology Holdings, Inc. (computer software for office buildings and parking garages – Manila, Philippines; Prieto-Borromeo Family)

39.) Smartpark Systems Solutions, Inc. (Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines; Prieto-Borromeo Family); website: www.smartpark.net.ph/

40.) Crown Fruit Corporation (pineapple plantation and steel plant near Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines; Borromeo-Mercado-Ocampo-Soriano Family)

41.) AMS Farming Corporation (banana plantation near Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines; Borromeo-Mercado-Ocampo-Soriano Family); website: www.ams.com.ph.  Larger than either of the combined “Borromeo Group of Companies.”

42.) AMSIA Management Corporation (Shell Oil – 4 services stations in San Carlos, California, USA; Borromeo-Mercado-Ocampo-Soriano Family)

43.) AMJR Holdings, Inc. (banana plantation near Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines; Borromeo-Mercado-Ocampo-Soriano Family): holding company with 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres) of agricultural plantations.

44.) Soriano Fruits Corporation (banana exports; Borromeo-Mercado-Ocampo-Soriano Family)

45.) DTI-Overland Transport Corporation (trucking company near Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines; Borromeo-Mercado-Ocampo-Soriano Family)

46.) Cabadbaran Fruits Corporation (production & export of Señorita Bananas, Papayas & Cavendish Bananas in Agusan del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines; Borromeo-Mercado-Ocampo-Soriano Family)

47.) JOS Trading Corporation (global sales of bananas and papayas; Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines; Borromeo-Mercado-Ocampo-Soriano Family)

48.) Redwood Logistics Corporation (global sales of bananas and papayas; Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines; Borromeo-Mercado-Ocampo-Soriano Family)

49.) Vito Borromeo Estate, Inc. (real estate holdings in Cebu, includes many living heirs of the Borromeo y Feliz Family going back to 1820). Has a seat on the Board of Directors of the Salud Borromeo Foundation, which in turn is the largest shareholder in the BBEI.

50.) Julie Borromeo Dance Studio and School (Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines; Barredo-Borromeo Family)

51.) Rose Borromeo Spanish Dance Company (Singapore; Barredo-Borromeo Family); Website: http://www.roseborromeospanishdancecompany.com/index.html

52.) GNC Franchise (Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines – 41 Stores throughout the Philippines; Barredo-Borromeo Family) and OSIM Philippines (franchises for luxury massage chairs).  OSIM International is based in Singapore.  GNC and OSIM Philippines also use the name “Borromeo Group of Companies.”

53.) Cebu Citylights Gardens Condominiums (Cebu City, Philippines; joint venture with firm from Singapore; Borromeo-Gallego Family)

54.) Cebu Mabolo Condominiums (Cebu City, Philippines; Taylor-Borromeo Family)

55.) Cebu Grand Hotel (Neri-Borromeo Family); website: www.cebugrandhotel.com

56.) Cebu Montebello Villa Hotel (Neri-Borromeo Family); website: www.montebellovillahotel.com

57.) Cebu Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel (Mactan Island in Cebu, Philippines; Neri-Borromeo Family); website: www.costabellaresort-cebu.com/

58.) Maxi Agricultural Corporation (sugarcane plantation in Bacolod, Negros Isalnd, Philippines; Rodriguez-Borromeo Family).

59.) Cebu Parkland, Inc. (parking garage in Cebu City, Philippines; Rodriguez-Borromeo Family).

60.) Cebu Holdings, Inc. (real estate holdings in Cebu, Philippines and New South Wales, Australia; Rodriguez-Borromeo Family).

61.) Sugar Technology International (specializes in design technology for the global sugar industry – based in Cebu City; Borromeo-Milne Family).  Website: www.groupsti.com.

Companies formerly owned by members of the extended Borromeo Family

62.) Fabar, Inc. (Austin-Rover, Studebaker-Packard and Toyota of the Philippines): 1945-1984 (first auto assembler in the Philippines; no longer in business).  Founded by the late Fausto Barredo.

63.) Rockgas Inter-Island Gas Service, Inc. (first Philippine Natural Gas Company): 1946-1980 (100% purchased by Philippine national government).

64.) McBros Foods Corporation (McDonald’s of Cebu City): 1992-1998 (sold and became McBros Development Corporation in 1998).

65.) Honda Cars Cebu, Inc. (Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro): 1992-1998 (remaining 45% interest purchased by Ayala Corporation).

66.) Atisa Atkins, S.A. de C.V. (engineering firm in Mexico City, Mexico; $800 million steel plant in Venezuela); Rallos de Borromeo Family (1964-2001); sold to Mexican firm in 2001.

67.) Alltech Contractors (power plant construction throughout the Philippines and the Middle East, in alliance with the Mitsubishi Group of Japan).  Founded in 1939 and sold in 2004.  Up to 3,400 employees prior to sale.  Larger than either of the combined “Borromeo Group of Companies.”

Board of Directors of the Borromeo Bros. Estate, Inc.

1.) Maximo Francisco José La’O Borromeo, General Manager. President and CEO of Astron-Gestus, Inc., Cebu Maxi Management Corporation, Cebu Parkland, Inc. and Maxy Agricultural Corporation.

2.) Dr. Rodolfo Borromeo Uy Herrera, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer.

3.) Carmen Borromeo Mercado, Treasurer.

4.) Dorothea Socorro Natividad Borromeo Atega, President and CEO of SBA Landscape Architecture, Inc.

5.) Maria Soledad Borromeo Putong, Director.

6.) Milagros Borromeo Uy Herrera Cañares, Director.

7.) Bernadette Marie Borromeo Gallego, Assistant Treasurer.

8.) Cecilia Marielle Musni Borromeo Capistrano, Director.  Interior designer by profession.

9.) Dennis Benedict Borromeo Mercado, Director.

Borromeo Family Council (in addition to the Board of Directors, but with no official business function)

10.) Vicente Francisco José Borromeo Atega (Cargo Manager, Philippine Airlines Mactan-Cebu International Airport).

11.) Maria Christina Paula Borromeo Atega Tan Ugang (employed by SBA Landscape Architecture).

12.) Joseph Aldous Kenneth Borromeo Querouz Delano (employed by nonprofit organization).

13.) Faye Pauleen Borromeo Querouz (Manager, McDonald’s Restaurant Cebu City).

14.) José Daniel B. Rodriguez Borromeo

15.) Maximo “Chippy” Francisco José Rodriguez Borromeo (Manager, Honda Motorworld, Inc. and Honda Motorworld Lending Investment, Inc.).

16.) André Rodriguez Borromeo (General Manager, Astron-Gestus, Inc.)

17.) José Borromeo Diego

18.) John Borromeo Diego (employed by Honda Philippines)

19.) Irene Monica Borromeo Mercado Pabatao

20.) Christina Borromeo Gaston (Organizer, Borromeo Family Grand Reunion).

21.) Maria Cecilia Borromeo Putong Hermann

22.) Susana Marie Borromeo Milne (Main Author, Borromeo Family Cookbook).

23.) Donald Borromeo Herrera C. Cañares

24.) Emmanuel Borromeo Herrera C. Cañares

25.) Stephen Borromeo Herrera C. Cañares

26.) Margarita Herbosa Borromeo Herrera

27.) Roberto “Robbie” Herbosa Borromeo Herrera

Corporate Officers

28.) Attorney Cornelio C. “Sonny” Mercado, Corporate Secretary.

29.) Teresita R. Baronda, Chief Operating Officer.

Largest Philippine Business Groups by Family Ownership (ranked in order of asset size):

Hier ist eine Liste der größten Geschäftsgruppen in den Philippinen. Die größten Unternehmen in Asien sind eigentlich Gruppen von Firmen (“Geschäftsgruppen”), die alten, gut bekannten und wohlhabenden Familien gehören. Die Bevölkerungsreichten Länder in Asien sind China, Indien, Indonesien, Pakistan, Bangladesch und die Philippinen. Die größte Geschäftsgruppe der Philippinen gehört der Familie Zobel de Ayala, die aus Hamburg in Norddeutschland und dem Baskenland in Spanien stammen. Viele andere wichtige Geschäftsgruppen in den Philippinen gehören chinesischen Familien wie Sy, Tan, Typoco-Guzman, Cojuangco, Ty, Gokongwei, Tan-Caktiong, Tan-Yu und Gotianun. Die meisten Chinesen in den Philippinen stammen aus Canton und Fukien in China.

1.) Zobel de Ayala (Ayala Corporation, Bank of the Philipppine Islands, Ayala Land, Manila Water Company, Globe Telecom, Integrated Microelectronics, Azalea Technology, Honda Cars Makati, Isuzu Automotive, Ayala International – Manila): ethnic German from Hamburg and Basque-Spanish (Creole Español): US $49 Billion in total assets and 189,000 employees.

2.) Sy (Shoemart Investments Corporation, Banco de Oro Universal Bank, China Banking Corporation, Equitable PCI Bank, 12% of San Miguel Corporation – Manila): ethnic Chinese (Insik).

3.) Tan (Philippine Airlines, Asia Brewery, Fortune Tobacco, Tanduay Holdings, Philippine National Bank, Allied Bank – Manila): ethnic Chinese (Insik).

4.) Typoco-Guzman (Telephone call centers owned by “Business Beanstalk Philippines”, Bicol Mining Corporation – Manila): ethnic Chinese-Filipino (Insik Mestizo).

5.) Cojuangco (control of San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, San Miguel Beermen Basketball, Barangay Ginebra Basketball, Purefoods Chunkee Giants Basketball, Gooree Studfarm of NSW Australia – Tarlac): ethnic Chinese (Insik).

6.) Ty (Metropolitan Bank and Trust Group, Philippine Savings Bank, Power Generation – Manila): ethnic Chinese (Insik).

7.) Gokongwei (JG Summit Corporation, Cebu Pacific Airlines, Digitel Telecommunication, Sun Cellular, UIC of Singapore, Singapore Land, Universal Robina Corporation, Robinsons Land, Robinsons Malls, Petrochemicals – Cebu): ethnic Chinese (Insik).

8.) Tan-Caktiong (Jollibee Foods – Manila): ethnic Chinese (Insik).

9.) Tan-Yu (Asia Internationale Real Estate): ethnic Chinese (Insik): US $7 billion in total group assets.

10.) Gotianun (East West Bank, Filinvest Group, BancNet – Manila): ethnic Chinese (Insik).

11.) Villar (Carmella & Palmera Homes, Crown Asia – Manila): ethnic Filipino (Pinoy).

12.) Aboitiz (Aboitiz & Company, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Union Bank of the Philippines, City Savings Bank, Davao Light & Power Company, Cotabato Light & Power Company, Visayan Electric Company, San Fernando Electric Light & Power Company, Subic Enerzone Corporation, Philippine HydroPower Corporation, Luzon Hydro Corporation, Western Mindanao Power Corporation, Southern Philippines Power Corporation, Pilmico Foods Corporation, Fil-Am Foods, Aboitiz Transport System Corporation, Aboitiz Jebsen Bulk Transport Corporation, AboitizLand, Aboitiz Construction Group – Cebu): ethnic Basque-Spanish (Creole Español): 20,000 employees.

13.) Lopez (ABN-CBS Broadcasting Corporation, Benpres Holdings, Beyond Cable Holdings, Bayantel Communications, Maynilad Water Services, First Gen Corporation, Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Manila North Tollways Corporation, Rockwell Land Corporation, First Philippine Industrial Park, First Balfour, Philippine Electric Corporation, First Electro Dynamics Corporation, First Sumiden Circuits, Securities Transfer Services, The Medical City – Iloilo.

14.) Soriano (San Miguel Corporation, A. Soriano Corporation, Anscor Condolidated Corporation, Anscor Insurance Brokers, Anscor Land, Anscor Property Holdings, Anscor Mining & Industrial Corporation, Island Aviation, Minuet Realty Corporation, Pamalican Island Holdings, Phelps Dodge Philippines, Sutton Place Holdings, Toledo Mining & Industrial Corporation – Mandaluyong).