Go, Get, and Give!

Widely acknowledged as one of the most successful if not the most successful businessman in Bataan, Consul Eduardo Lazarte de Guzman or fondly Don Eddie to many, had a humble, challenging yet inspiring beginning.

The third in a brood of nine of parents Isaac and Catalina, Don Eddie who just turned 82 last May 5 was born in Barangay Calaguiman in Samal. Despite knowing him since childhood, it was only during this interview that this writer had a glimpse of his rare sense of humor which started when he asked, “I don’t look, 82, do I? Di ba mukha lang akong 81?”

An alumnus of Calaguiman Elementary School, he recounted that during his grade school days he had to skip classes and even miss examinations because he had to help his father who was a fishpond caretaker. His amiable face lit up when he said, “despite missing classes, I still graduated with honors”. However, he had to stop schooling for five years for the same reason – to help in the family livelihood. “Nun kasing sabihin ko sa magulang ko na me matrikula sa Arellano (now Bataan National High School) na 75 pesos, sabi nila, hindi natin kayang bayaran yan. Ang mga magulang nun, mas priority nila ang kabuhayan kaysa sa edukasyon. Kaya nun, sa umaga, pag naglalakad ako papuntang palaisdaan, makikita ko naman ang mga kaeskwela kong nakasabit sa jeep, papasok ng eskwela. Inggit na inggit ako nun sa kanila”.

But the young and spirited Eddie did not lose hope. After 5 years, he was able to enroll at the Tomas del Rosario Academy (now Tomas del Rosario College) in Balanga City. “Biro mo yung mga Grade 1 nung Grade 6 ako, naging, classmates ko”! Incidentally, Don Eddie is now a major shareholder in this school.

Definitely of modest means yet armed with a determination to succeed, he studied in Manila and at the same time worked at the Manila Air Cargo, a company owned by his uncle, Feliciano Lazarte and completed his Chemical Engineering course at the Mapua Institute of Technology.  “Nuon, galing sa trabaho, nilalakad ko mula Juan Luna hanggang Mapua para makatipid sa pamasahe. Ngayon, problema ko kung anong kotse ang gagamitin ko.” He said jokingly.

He was working as a messenger earning P1.75 a day when he met Julieta Gomez, a lovely executive secretary at the Philippine Airlines with a take home pay of P500 a month. Still, love blossomed between them and on January 26, 1963 at the age of 28, Messenger Eddie married Ms. Julie. Their union is blessed with four children, Eduardo II, George, Jericho and Kathea Koren.

His job at the Manila Air Cargo taught him valuable lessons and skills in managing a cargo forwarding business and brokerage. As expected, he established his own brokerage business, the Skyfreight Brokerage Inc. (SFBI). At the age of 31, he made his first million and the rest is history, so to speak.

In time, he was able to establish overseas branches in Saudi Arabia and the United States. The SFBI became the flagship company of the De Guzman Group of Companies.

His brilliance and business acumen resulted in the establishment of other affiliated companies, starting with the Jollibee restaurant in Balanga in 1990. To date, he has around 30 Jollibee outlets, eight Greenwich Pizza and two Chow King outlets.

When asked which among the numerous awards he has received so far does he cherish most, Don Eddie answered in a heartbeat, that it’s the Franchisee of the Year award from Jollibee. It is through his food business that he can be part of the solution to the problem of unemployment in Bataan. According to Eddie Boy, his eldest son, they have no less than 5,000 employees in their food business alone.

His other business ventures include Centre Plaza Mall, Village Savings Bank, Isaac and Catalina Medical Center (ICMC), Orani Memorial Park, Mount Samat Ferry, General Aviation Supply and Trading Inc. (GASTI), Coastal Grove, a high-end subdivision in Lalawigan; two Petron service stations and vast farmlands and fishponds in Orani, Samal and Abucay.

Through these numerous business enterprises, Don Eddie has been instrumental in providing jobs and livelihood to hundreds of Bataenos, locally and even overseas; not to mention his scholarship foundation which has to date produced hundreds of professionals in our midst.

Talking about his other business ventures, he said that if he has one business that he considers to be the most rewarding, it is the ICMC. “People enter the hospital sick and they go home well. The return of investment is priceless – hindi na yung pagpasok ng pera ang top concern, kung hindi sa bawat ina na nakapanganak nang maayos, sa bawat pasyenteng gumaling, yan ang return of investment na walang katumbas na pera. As a responsible entrepreneur, this is part of my corporate social responsibility.”

Don Eddie who was raised by simple, hardworking and God-fearing parents, attributes everything he has achieved, first to his Maker. All throughout the interview, he uttered the line, “God is good” several times. Next to God, his parents and immediate family especially his ever supportive and loving wife, Madam Julie and children are instrumental to his success. As is customary among Filipinos, the De Guzman siblings are closely-knit.

Up until now, Don Eddie has maintained a low profile despite his achievements. His family upbringing and evangelical orientation have contributed tremendously in shaping him. Having managed to keep his feet on the ground, he treats everybody with respect. Blessed with an amiable personality and sharp memory, he recognizes old acquaintances and even addresses them on a first name basis or nicknames. His acute business acumen, coupled with compassion endears him to everyone who gets to know him, personally or as a business associate.

When asked what advice he can give to aspiring entrepreneurs, he had these to say: Number 1: When you entrust everything to the Lord, He will pave the way for you.  Number 2: Be transparent in your dealings, no hidden agenda; don’t give your business associates the chance to tell you on your face, “Mr. de Guzman, niloko mo kami”!  Number 3: Ingatan mo ang iyong pamilya. Marami dyan, nung umaangat na, sinabayan ng bisyo kaya nung nadapa, di na makabangon. Mas umaangat ka, mas ingatan mo ang iyong pagkatao, lalo na ang iyong pamilya”.

In addition to being the founder and president of the De Guzman Group of Companies, he is also the honorary consul of the Republic of Gabon, an African nation. Come August 17, he will be going to Korea to receive the Distinction in the National Orders during the celebration of the National Day of Gabon. Said distinction is a reward to the commitment and dedication Don Eddie has shown. In fact he is the longest serving Consul of the Republic, serving in that capacity for 24 years now.

Is there anything more he wants in life? His simple reply: “God is good. My family is doing well and I have made my parents happy. “I don’t want to take more than what I could chew”.  

A Board of Trustee of Kilos Bayan, a non-government organization, he is also a “Go Negosyo” and “Aduana” awardee and continues to abide by his slogan: “Go! Get! and Give!”