Company History
In 1901, Mr. Uy Yan Gong (Julian Uygongco) opened a bakery and grocery store. The business thrived thru his hardwork, diligence, and integrity. La Filipina Uy Gongco grew to become a reputable importer and distributor of general merchandises from the U.S.A., China, Thailand, Hawaii and Europe. It was one of the biggest trading houses in Panay and Negros Islands.
The second world war destroyed almost all material wealth he accumulated. Only his good reputation remained intact. He was incarcerated by the Japanese imperial army and died shortly after his release from detention.
His eldest son, Mr. Uy Chiong (Jose Uygongco) reopened the store after the liberation in 1946 under the name La Filipina Uy Gongco de Uy Chiong. Strong supports were provided by the old suppliers of La Filipina Uy Gongco. In 1949, La Filipina Uy Gongco de Uy Chiong became a partnership adopting the name La Filipina Uy Gongco. Mr. Tan Chin Eng, a cousin and a new partner, took the helm of the business.
The company became a corporation in 1971 under the name La Filipina Uy Gongco Corporation. Mr. Alfonso A. Uy (Alfonso Uygongco), who joined the company in 1954 at the age of 15, took over the leadership of the company in the late 1960s up to the present.
From a small bake shop and grocery store, La Filipina has grown into a company involved in trading of feeds ingredients, fertilizers, sugar, vegetable oils, grains, wheat flour, and owner-operators of sugar mill, flour mills, animal feeds mills, livestock farms, cargo ships, hotels, housing projects, shopping mall, and bank.
The company’s success is attributed to its policy of high integrity, reliability as a provider of quality products and services to customers, equal opportunity employer, responsible corporate citizenship, and trust worthy relationship with stockholders.
The company takes pride in its people. The strong team composed of a group of able executives and staff who assist the president in the planning and operation of the group of companies.