Felipe Gozon: Wealth, Business Empire, and Life Outside Work

Felipe Gozon is a Filipino lawyer, business executive, and current chairman of GMA Network. His name is synonymous with media innovation after crafting a legacy that resonates far beyond the corridors of the media network.

Net Worth: $335M

Age: 84

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In His Youth

Felipe Enrique "Henry" Lapuz Gozon was born on December 8, 1939, to Carolina Lapus and Benjamin Gozon. 

His mother, a pharmacy graduate from the University of the Philippines, was an entrepreneur who founded the fish sauce brand Dalisay Patis. She later explored other business ventures, such as owning a salt mine and supplying coffee seedlings.

His father, on the other hand, was a government official who served as director for the Bureau of Mines before joining the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources as secretary.

Gozon grew up in Malabon and is the third child among four siblings. His nickname, "Henry," came out of a life-threatening accident he had at the age of seven when he was hit by a jeepney along Arellano Street in Malabon. He fell into the Malabon River, then hit his head on the bamboo part of a salambao, resulting a wound in his head. His hair had to be shaved, and the bald Gozon was eventually called "Henry," after the character of a bald young boy from a 1932 comic strip.

He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines in 1962 and soon after placed 13th in the 1963 Philippine Bar Examination. He later pursued a Master of Laws degree at Yale University in 1965.

After his law education, Gozon went on to become a senior partner in the law firm of Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion & Lucila.

Felipe Gozon's Business Empire

It was in 1974 when Gozon, alongside Gilberto Duavit Sr. and Menardo Jimenez, took over the management of GMA Network (then called Republic Broadcasting System). Jimenez is Gozon's brother-in-law.

The company's roots started out as Loreto F. de Hemedes, Inc., which was owned by American war correspondent Robert Stewart, on March 1, 1950. It launched its first AM radio station at the Calvo Building in Escolta, Manila, called the Radio Broadcasting Station (DZBB), on June 14, 1950. The radio broadcast-led company ventured into television technology through RBS TV Channel 7 on October 29, 1961, with programs coming from the United States. Loreto F. de Hemedes Inc. was officially renamed to Republic Broadcasting System, Inc. (RBS) in 1963.

Amid then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s declaration of Martial Law in 1972, media establishments like ABS-CBN and RBS were forced to shut down. Foreign citizens like Steward were also disallowed from owning and operating media companies. The company's majority control was ceded to Duavit Sr., Jimenez, and Gozon by 1974, the same year that the station changed its name to GMA Radio-Television Arts. GMA originally stood for Greater Manila Area, the region that the network serves; but was eventually changed to Global Media Arts. This move was followed by a milestone as GMA began to broadcast in color. GMA also produced hit series and original shows like Anna Liza and Student Canteen.

Following Jimenez's retirement in 2000, Gozon assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) while serving as Board Chairman. As the Chairman and CEO of GMA Network Inc., Gozon transformed the company into one of the leading media networks in the Philippines. Under his leadership, GMA Network not only flourished in terms of viewership but also in financial performance, consistently outpacing its competitors. His strategic initiatives have expanded GMA’s reach, with significant investments in digital broadcasting and online media, ensuring the network's relevance in a rapidly evolving media landscape. The company's significant milestone under Gozon's leadership was an annual net income of P1 billion. GMA was listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange in 2007.

He officially retired as CEO in 2023 but remained Chairman of the Board and Advisor of the company.

Some of the business lessons by Gozon, that were previously published by Esquire Philippines, are: know how to seize opportunities and take risks, know how to build trust and inspire others through consistency and authenticity, know how to drive competitive growth by understanding the business, know how to control cost and spend wisely, and know how to future-proof the business by leveraging the power of technology.

GMA Network's Impact on the Philippine Economy and Society

The impact of GMA Network under Gozon's leadership extends beyond the entertainment it provides. It plays a critical role in the Philippine economy, contributing significantly to the advertising industry and creating thousands of jobs. Moreover, the network has been instrumental in societal development, offering programs that address critical issues such as education, health, and public awareness, thereby fostering a well-informed citizenry.

GMA was the first Philippine broadcasting company to receive a Peabody Award for Investigative Reporting in 1999. The Peabodys, named after the American businessman and philanthropist George Peabody, honor the most powerful stories in television, radio, and online media. In the following years, other Peabodys were also given to 24 Oras' Yolanda coverage, I-Witness' Ambulansiya de Paa, and Reel Time's Salat.

In the late 2000s, the evening newscast 24 Oras was given a gold medal for Best Continuing Coverage and a silver medal for Best News Program at the New York Television Festival.

Outside the Boardroom

Gozon dated her wife, Teresa, for 11 years before they got married. They have three children: Annette Gozon-Valdez, Maritess Gozon-Viterbo, and Philip Gozon. As a tight-knit family, they travel overseas as a whole clan complete with grandkids. 

An article by PEP.ph says that Gozon loves to read mystery and science fiction books, go for a swim, play chess, and go bowling.