The Borromeo Family Website

Borromeo: Part of Cebu, the Philippines and Beyond

This page has had 27,844 cumulative visits to date.  Included in “The Borromeo Family of Cebu” by Marc E. Nonnenkamp (ISBN 978-1460908082 now available on www.amazon.com through CreateSpace for $17.99 paperback and $9.99 as an Amazon Kindle e-book).  This book is on the Amazon “Bestsellers” list in the USA (top 3 percent of retail products), and is also available through Barnes & Noble in paperback and NOOKbook editions.  I have had the opportunity to personally autograph and dedicate 46 copies of the book, which enjoys 738 reviews on the Internet and has been read by 364,344 people in either paperback form, as an e-book or on this site.

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 the Western (Italian-speaking) coast 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.  Borromeo Bros. Estate, Inc. real estate development now has a page on www.facebook.com.

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).  The school now has a page on www.facebook.com.

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 (not part of the Borromeo Bros. Estate, Inc. “Group of Companies”):

28.) Astron-Gestus / Cebu Maxi Management Corporation

29.) Astron-Gestus, Inc.

30.) Astron-Gestus #2

31.) Sumitomo-Sime Darby / Yokohama Tire Warehouse

32.) SBA Landscape Architecture, Inc.

33.) Borromeo-Atega Realty Ventures, Inc.

34.) Arborville Apartments – Judge Andrés Borromeo Compound

35.) Colonia Polanco Office & Apartment Tower

36.) DCC Staffing Services, Inc. (medical staffing – Los Angeles and Palm Springs, California, USA – 7 employees); website: www.dccstaffing.com

37.) Ancestral Home Healthcare, Inc. (home healthcare; Los Angeles and Palm Springs, California, USA – 50 employees); http://ancestralhomehealth.com

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

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

40.) Crown Fruit Corporation (pineapple plantation and steel plant near Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines)

41.) AMS Farming Corporation (banana plantation near Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines); website: www.ams.com.ph.  This entity is larger than either of the combined “Borromeo Group of Companies.”

42.) AMSIA Management Corporation (Shell Oil – four services stations in San Carlos, California, USA)

43.) AMJR Holdings, Inc. (banana plantation near Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines): holding company with 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres) of agricultural plantations.

44.) Soriano Fruits Corporation (banana exports)

45.) DTI-Overland Transport Corporation (trucking company near Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines)

46.) Cabadbaran Fruits Corporation (production & export of Señorita Bananas, Papayas & Cavendish Bananas in Agusan del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines)

47.) JOS Trading Corporation (global sales of bananas and papayas; Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines)

48.) Redwood Logistics Corporation (global sales of bananas and papayas; Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines)

49.) Vito Borromeo Estate, Inc. (real estate holdings in Cebu)

50.) Julie Borromeo Dance Studio and School (Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines)

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

52.) GNC Franchise (Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines – 41 Stores throughout the Philippines) 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)

54.) Cebu Mabolo Condominiums (Cebu City, Philippines)

55.) Cebu Grand Hotel; website: www.cebugrandhotel.com

56.) Cebu Montebello Villa Hotel; website: www.montebellovillahotel.com

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

58.) Maxi Agricultural Corporation (sugarcane plantation in Bacolod, Negros Isalnd, Philippines).

59.) Cebu Parkland, Inc. (parking garage in Cebu City, Philippines).

60.) Cebu Holdings, Inc. (real estate holdings in Cebu, Philippines and New South Wales, Australia).

61.) Sugar Technology International (specializes in design technology for the global sugar industry – based in Cebu City).  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).  This was 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

65.) Honda Cars Cebu, Inc. (Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro): 1992-1998

66.) Atisa Atkins, S.A. de C.V. (engineering firm in Mexico City, Mexico and steel plant in Venezuela from 1964-2001)

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.  Alltech had as many as 3,400 employees prior to sale.  It was larger than either of the combined “Borromeo Group of Companies.”

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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 and Industrial Corporation – Mandaluyong).