MAIN CAMPUS

San Roque, Sogod, Southern Leyte

Contact No.: 0998-868-5334
Email: president@southernleytestateu.edu.ph
Website: www.southernleytestateu.edu.ph

Excellence | Service | Leadership and Good Governance | Innovation | Social Responsibility | Integrity | Professionalism | Spirituality

The Story of Turning-Adversity-To-Triumph

Name of the Entrepreneur

Cecilio Kwok Pedro

Introduction

In the realm of business, where challenges abound and risks are inherent, there emerges
a rare, brave individual who not only navigate the turbulent waters he met but thrive amidst
them. Entrepreneurs are visionaries, the risk-takers, and the ones who are motivated by the
driving forces behind innovation and economic growth. With a combination of unwavering
determination, creative brilliance, and an unrelenting commitment to their dreams, Cecilio
Kwok Pedro has not only carved identity into the annals of business history but has also left an
indelible mark on the world. His turning-adversity-to-triumph story serves as beacons of
inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and a testament to the boundless possibilities that arise
when passion, innovation, and resilience converge.

Cecilio Kwok Pedro, of Chinese descent, was born on 1953 in the Philippines. Even when
he was young, Pedro already has a knack for business, selling pens to his schoolmates. Dr.
Pedro’s story is not the rags-to-riches type, but his success is nevertheless admirable.

History

Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro graduated from Ateneo de Manila with a degree in Business
Management. It was around 1975 when Cecilio to put up his own business. He borrowed
P20,000 from his father and founded the Aluminum Container Inc., a company that made
aluminium toothpaste tubes for Procter & Gamble, the Philippine Refining Company (now
Unilever), and Colgate-Palmolive. His clientele, however, switched to plastic-laminated
toothpaste tubes due to environmental concerns. Aluminum Container Inc. went out of business
in 1986.

Unabashed, Pedro founded Lamoiyan Corporation and began producing toothpaste at a

50% discount to his competitors. Hapee and Kutitap, two still-popular brands, were among
them. Although overseas brands retaliated by decreasing their prices, Pedro responded by
launching a children’s toothpaste featuring Sesame Street characters. Pedro’s brands have
spread throughout Asia, including China, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Pedro’s ambitions aren’t limited to success in the business world; he’s also known for
his work helping hearing-impaired people find work in the United States. His initiatives include
providing free lodging for more than 30 deaf–mute employees. DEAF, or Deaf Evangelistic
Alliance Foundation, has provided college education for more than 180 hearing-impaired
students to date

Today’s Business

Recently, Cecilio K. Pedro decided to compete with the multinational giants by producing locally
made toothpastes and hit them where it would hurt the most — the selling price. He founded
 MAIN CAMPUS
San Roque, Sogod, Southern Leyte
Contact No.: 0998-868-5334
Email: president@southernleytestateu.edu.ph
Website: www.southernleytestateu.edu.ph

Excellence | Service | Leadership and Good Governance | Innovation | Social Responsibility | Integrity | Professionalism | Spirituality

the Lamoiyan Corporation, which became the manufacturer of the first locally produced
toothpastes “Hapee” and “Kutitap” (sparkle).

Rewards

As the first Filipino company to penetrate the toothpaste industry in the Philippines and
with less than 20 employees at the time, Lamoiyan produced world-class brands Hapee and
Kutitap at affordable prices. Lamoiyan grew and sponsored the 1988 Philippine Olympic
Delegation. In the ‘90s, Lamoiyan garnered several awards such as “Most Outstanding
Toothpaste Manufacturer” (1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2002), TOYM for Business
Leadership (1991), Company of the Year by Agora Awards (1992) and AGORA Award for
Adovacy (2012), Apolinario Mabini Award for Employer of the Year (1993), MVP Bossing Award
- PLDT SME Nation, PLDT (2011) and Most Outstanding Program for Equal Employment (1993).
In 2004, the company expanded its business to China, Vietnam and Indonesia. In 2012, Hapee
toothpaste was exported to the Middle East, Papua New Guinea, Russia and Hong Kong.

Conclusion

In conclusion, successful entrepreneurs possess a unique combination of traits, skills,

and attitudes that enable them to thrive in the dynamic and competitive world of business.
These individuals demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, creativity in finding innovative
solutions to problems, and a strong sense of determination to pursue their goals. They also
understand the importance of effective communication, networking, and building strong
relationships with partners, customers, and employees. Furthermore, successful entrepreneurs
are willing to take calculated risks, learn from their failures, and adapt to changing
circumstances. They have a clear vision for their businesses and a relentless drive to achieve
their objectives. Continuous self-improvement and a willingness to embrace new technologies
and trends are also key factors in their success. Ultimately, success as an entrepreneur is not
solely determined by financial wealth, but by the positive impact they have on their
communities, industries, and the world at large. Through their innovative ideas, hard work, and
determination, successful entrepreneurs create jobs, drive economic growth, and inspire others
to pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams.

Just like the story of Cecilio Pedro, he also have encountered difficulties while his
business is on its starting point. However, that does not stop him to conquer because as what he
had said during the pandemic, “Faith has made him find “joy even in times of difficulties.”.
Concludingly, With faith and family, we know what Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro’s secret to “Hapeeness”
is.

References:

http://happynoy.blogspot.com/2016/07/success-story-dr-cecilio-k-diokno.html
https://www.futurelearn.com/info/futurelearn-international/most-successful-entrepreneurs-
philippines#:~:text=The%20story%20of%20Cecilio%20Kwok,)%2C%20and%20Colgate%2DPalmolive.
https://www.lamoiyan.com/awards-and-recognition/
https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/newsmakers/2023/07/25/2283432/dr-cecilio-k-pedros-secret-
hapeeness#:~:text=In%20the%20'90s%2C%20Lamoiyan%20garnered,Most%20Outstanding%20Program%20for%
20Equal
 MAIN CAMPUS
San Roque, Sogod, Southern Leyte
Contact No.: 0998-868-5334
Email: president@southernleytestateu.edu.ph
Website: www.southernleytestateu.edu.ph

Excellence | Service | Leadership and Good Governance | Innovation | Social Responsibility | Integrity | Professionalism | Spirituality

(ES 311) TECHNOPRENEURSHIP 101

Mid-Term Activity No. 2

SUCCESSFUL
ENTREPRENEUR

Submitted by:

RODEL E. ELICOT
BSCE 3A

Submitted to:

DR. ANACLETA L. DAGAAS

Subject Teacher