President & CEO, A.D. Gothong Group of Companies

Barbara “Bambi” Gothong-Tan is a Cebuano business leader, entrepreneur, and industry advocate whose career spans manufacturing, real estate, hospitality, finance, and business-community leadership. In February 2026, she made history as the first woman president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) in the organization’s six decades of service to the business community.

She is also the President and CEO of the A.D. Gothong Group of Companies, where she oversees a diversified portfolio that includes manufacturing, real estate, and hospitality businesses such as A.D. Gothong Manufacturing Corp., Alpa Land, Inc., and Alpa City Suites. A.D. Gothong Manufacturing is behind the well-known Bambi Cooking Oil brand, one of the group’s most recognizable consumer products.

Gothong-Tan brings a strong financial foundation to her leadership. She is a Certified Public Accountant, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of San Carlos with a degree in Commerce, Major in Accounting. She later completed the Strategic Business Economics Program at the University of Asia and the Pacific, strengthening her background in business strategy and economics.

Her leadership also extends beyond her family enterprise. She serves as a Director and Treasurer of Global Star Motors, while her civic involvement has included roles with the Sinulog Foundation, Asociacion Benevola de Cebu/Chong Hua Hospital, and Habitat for Humanity Cebu. These engagements reflect a career that combines business growth with institutional and community participation.

In 2024, she was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, further affirming her standing within Cebu’s business community.

LEADING MANDAUE’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY

As MCCI President, Gothong-Tan leads one of Cebu’s key private-sector organizations at a time when businesses are confronting rapid technological change, inflation, global economic uncertainty, evolving consumer behavior, climate risks, and increasing regional competition.

Her leadership has emphasized business resilience, capability building, entrepreneurship, collaboration, and stronger connections between industry and government. Under her presidency, MCCI continues to use programs such as Mandaue Business Month to help enterprises strengthen networks, acquire new capabilities, and adapt to a changing business environment.

Her perspective is particularly relevant to Cebu Economic Forum 4.0 because Mandaue is one of Metro Cebu’s most important industrial, commercial, and entrepreneurial centers.

For Gothong-Tan, Cebu’s next phase of growth will require a business community that is not only resilient, but also innovative, collaborative, globally connected, and prepared to compete for new investment and opportunities.