Felix Tiu

Felix Tiu (born Felicito Hupan Tiu on October 29, 1956 in Iloilo City, Philippines) is a Filipino-Chinese businessman, investor, and entrepreneur. Since 2010, he has been chairman of the Iloilo City Trade and Investment Board (ICTIPB) and the CEO and founder of Eon Group of Companies which holds the first waterpark in Visayas and the first solar-powered waterpark in the Philippines, Waterworld Iloilo.

Beneath the corporation, are varying establishments such as a tourism agency, multiple hospitality businesses, food establishments, candy, juice and noodle manufacturing, and developments of housing and property. The Eon Group of Companies is known as "one of the top developers in Iloilo."

Tiu has been awarded the Golden Salakot Award, which i "the highest honor in recognition for outstanding achievements defined by personal or institutional success and philanthropic involvement", by the Iloilo City mayor, Jed Patrick Mabilog in 2012.

Early life

Tiu was born in Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines to Luzviminda Tiu (nèe Hupan) and Fernando Tiu, a wealthy family of Chinese descent, who were successful, self-made traders who operated a candy store in Iloilo, throughout the 1950s.Felix's grandparents were Chinese immigrants, with ancestral ties from the Fujian province, who migrated to the Philippines due to business opportunities.

His father's business shut down due to mismanagement, resulting in Felix, the eldest of four, to drop out of private school in 1977 to assist in the re-enterprising of his father's business.

In 1978, at 22, he married Bernadette Tiu, (née Chavez) and a fast growing family did not come far after: by 1985, Felix and Bernadette already had 4 children. During the early years of assistance in the restoration of his father's business, Felix and his wife, Bernadette, having to provide for their young family, sold homemade tamarind balls, halo halo and other local sweets on the streets of Iloilo City, to cope with financial struggles after the disperse of the family fortune.

Business career

Early career

Upon the aftermath of the failed reestablishment of his father's confectionery business, Tiu and his wife founded their own trading company, in 1985, Goldstar Philippine Traders, selling oil, flour, margarine, and other baking goods using his savings of 10,000₱ from previous business ventures.

In 1987, Felix opened Eon Philippines Industries Corporation which manufactured various local staples like bihon and sotanghon as well as flavoured juices, with lollipops being the main product. This venture was established as a reminiscent to Felix's father's business.

In 1991, with a vision to provide "market vendors a chance at their businesses" and to support other local businesses, Tiu ventured into low interest lending and in 5 years has created a "very modest lending portfolio", then in 1998, Felix opened a travel agency called Eon Travel and Tours in SM City Iloilo.

Later career

At the turn of the millennium, in 2000, Tiu purchased a foreclosed property and constructed the Eon Centennial Plaza Hotel, which is now known as "one of the leading business hotels in the heart of Iloilo"