Gateway Group’s executive vice-president Michael Goho on slowing car sales, accelerating resilience, and the driving force of being spiritual.


Michael Goho may look like someone fresh out of college but in fact, he serves as top management for Cebu-based Gateway Group, alongside his dad and elder brother. “I act as the functioning executive Vice-President,” shares the soft-spoken Michael, ”my dad is (semi-retired) Chairman Emeritus, with my brother acting Chairman and CEO of Gateway Group. My mother also serves in essential roles." 

As with any tight-knit family business, Michael admits that there are inevitable differences in management, but holds forth that “it is ideal to discuss disagreements in an objective fashion, with an open mind and a positive attitude towards continuous improvement - for the company’s performance collectively, and the (persons involved), individually.” 

For Michael, this meant a period of immaturity, failure, and doubt, as well as a lack of motivation during his earlier tenure. “But I have come to see the value and purpose in why we are where we are.”

Indeed, the approach seems to work well so far - with the company’s growth strong up until recently, and expanding to hold regional franchises for 8 car brands - BMW, Kia, Nissan, Suzuki, Geely, Chery, Foton and MG. 

“But with the current situation, many of our launches have moved online,” shares Michael, whose schedule involves daily Zoom meetings to monitor operations, “I can’t really visit the different branches as much lately, given the worsening traffic situation.” 

He assures that everything is well monitored, with an internal structure to ensure everything works smoothly. “At night, I usually spend my time watching films, doing home exercises, and writing and introspecting existential questions about life’s mysteries,” says the somewhat stoic evp - in contrast to what some would imagine the head of an automobile empire would say. 

Profit Prophet

“Growing up I had an inclination towards cars, but I wouldn’t consider myself a car enthusiast.” Shares Michael, who considers himself not technically knowledgeable and well-read on cars, “I always had a curiosity and fascination towards broad competition and multifaceted complexities - more on the technological innovations and management aspects of the auto industry.” 

Goho, who has a management degree from the University of Asia and the Pacific, also laments not taking up more philosophy and psychology in college. He quotes Viktor Frankl, renowned neurologist and psychiatrist, in the midst of the country’s lockdown: ‘Between stimulus and response there is space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.’

“It has always been my belief to take on the many responsibilities of life, set all the chaos into order and make a positive impact as we continue to mature and grow in this uncertain world.” States Michael - who believes in accelerating the human experience. He sees each day as “a constant struggle where people gain new insights…and in so doing better play our little roles in making profound changes in other peoples lives.”

And in the face of analysts’ forecasts of slumping automobile sales and massive defaults in car financing, Gateway’s EVP remains optimistic that things will slowly normalize and bounce back. “We had been tested time and time again and there had been testaments of the beauty of human resilience.”

He predicts that the future hinges on people opting for private instead of public transport, as well as a trend towards more practical and value-for-money vehicles. “If I were to legislate a law to this effect, I would advocate for the reinstatement of objective moral truths, solid values and solidarity among our people, and rapid growth of our economy.”

Spirituality over Religion

If their is one aspect of Michael Goho one can consider maverick-like, especially in the country’s highly religious population - it is that he is not. “I would want to make a distinction that I am an anti-religion person,” he qualifies, “But I’ve always believed there are many falsehoods out there pertaining to religion.” 

He believes that religion in the Philippines become mostly about politics, money and organizational agendas.

“There are many hypocrites in the religious world.” Michael says, “I would say I am more inclined to spirituality - which is a more personal relationship where no one is obligated into trying to hit an unrealistic standard.” 

Michael’s faith is about lives being more than just about surviving, but also “experiencing human connections and emotions, and seeking out what is true and good, beautiful and meaningful.” 

He shares a Bible verse that helps him in trying times: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5.3-5)

With businesses shuttering left and right, and the country at its highest unemployment rate in recent history - Michael hints that perhaps that what will keep the economy afloat isn’t so much fiscal policy, as personal responsibility for our fellow man.

“And then perhaps it is essential to ultimately experience the highest form of love, which goes back to establishing a relationship with the one true God, our lord and savior Jesus Christ.”

You may reach Michael Goho through : michaelcgoho@gmail.com
michael.goho@gatewaygroup.ph

—alike.com.ph


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