Mercedes Gotianun Obituary, Death – The 94-year-old Chair Emerita of the Filinvest Group of Companies, Mrs. Mercedes T. Gotianun, is sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. She died away on December 11, 2022, surrounded by those she loved. The late Andrew Gotianun, Sr., who founded Filinvest Development Corporation, was married to Mercedes, also known as “Chita.” As his relentless implementer, she was viewed as the ideal partner for the visionary leader. She was renowned for being well-organized, focused, and vivacious and was much praised for her work ethic. She showed extraordinary perseverance to achieve her goals. Together, Andrew and Chita produced a successful conglomerate that is today known as Filinvest Development Corporation.
Currently, some of the largest companies in the nation are interested in Davao and North Cotabato Sugar Central, East West Bank for universal banking, and Filinvest Land and Filinvest Alabang for land development. Among other new businesses, there are hotels under the Crimson and Quest brands, power production under Filinvest Utilities, and infrastructure at the Clark International Airport. She was a motivated worker even when she was a young student. She received her diploma from the College of the Holy Spirit as valedictorian from both elementary and high school. She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a BS Pharmacy degree and kept her status as a University Scholar throughout her four years of college. She belonged to the sorority Sigma Delta Phi as well.
She co-founded and ran Family Bank and Trust Co. in the 1970s and 1980s, the forerunner to BPI Family Savings Bank. She was a respected business leader who would be recognized as the first female president of a Philippine Universal Bank. She was recognized for her contributions as a female business leader in the Philippines by GoNegosyo’s Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs Awards in 2017 as a Legacy Awardee. Additionally, she was given the Mariang Maya award by Sigma Delta Phi, which is given to outstanding and successful sorority members. Being the oldest of eight children, Mercedes was frequently referred to as the family’s fiercest defender, displaying her maternal nature even in her early years. Eduardo, Zenaida, Blesilda and Domingo, Victor and Nenita, Benjamin and Elizabeth, and Celia are her surviving siblings.
