John Gokongwei — Chinese Businessman born on August 11, 1926,
John Robinson Lim Gokongwei, Jr. is a Filipino business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He has holdings in telecommunications, financial services, petrochemicals, power generation, aviation and live stock farming. As of 2015, Gokongwei is the second richest entrepreneur in the Philippines, with a net worth of over $5 billion, ranking behind Henry Sy... (wikipedia)
The important thing to know is that life will always deal us a few bad cards, but we have to play those cards the best we can. And we can play to win. This was one lesson I picked up when I was a teenager. It has been my guiding principle ever since. When I wanted something, the best person to depend on was myself.
I played the piano as a boy for six years, from the time I was six to 12 years old. My piano lessons ended when my father died because our family had no more money. I used to have a mestiza teacher. She'd come once a week to teach me piano lessons, and she'd bribe me each time with an apple; otherwise, I wouldn't play.
Of course, the most important factor of all for long life is a good family. When a person goes home with the wife or the kids giving him endless headaches, then it's hard for that person to enjoy a long life. I am very fortunate, because my wife Elizabeth and my obedient children are very good; they have given me happiness.
