Top 33 Quotes & Sayings by Henry Sy

Regional developers have a clear head start in their home communities. They have been there longer and understand their market. As a result, these markets are, in fact, more competitive than those in Manila.

I will not settle to become No. 2. Ever since I was a child, even before coming here to the Philippines, I've always believed in doing my best.

Every time the country is in a crisis, I think and decide where is the best way to go. We have to always think of ways to overcome these limitations.

I am pleased that through SM Foundation, we are able to do many socio-civic projects and support college scholars in need who come from public schools.

I took a risk and invested in SM Mall of Asia because I wanted to create something that could contribute to Philippine tourism growth.

You have to have a dream, whether big or small. Then plan well, focus, work hard, and be very determined to achieve your goals.

Our store was so small, it had no back or second floor. We just slept on the counter late at night after the store was closed.

If you fail, do not be discouraged.

Ever since I was a kid, I've always believed in doing my best, that one should aspire to be No. 1.

Doing a mall is not only construction of the physical place: what is important is the merchandising mix. We strive to serve the convenience of the public. We want shopping at our malls to be a unique and an enjoyable experience.

I encourage you to have your own dream and work to make it a reality.

I've always wanted to be a businessman. No other ambitions - I just wanted to be in business, even when I was a child in Fujian province, south China.

I started with shoes, and with hard work and discipline, the business prospered.

Pride or ego is not important to me. What is more important is common sense, the welfare of the company, and the objective reality that we need to be cautious during difficult times. One should not make decisions based on emotions or ego.

Outwardly, I may look quiet, but deep inside, I'm full of this sense of challenge. I'm always striving to work harder, to improve by learning, to do better and keep dreaming.

I came to the Philippines to follow my father who came here earlier, looking for a better life. I helped my father in our sari-sari store. I also asked him if I could go back to school so I could learn English and improve myself.

In five years, I completed grade school. Even when I was a young boy, I had a plan for my life.

The constant expansion of our malls and stores are proof of the fact that our holistic approach to development benefits not just us but also all the communities in which we operate.

There is no substitute for hard work. There is no such thing as an overnight success or easy money.

My basic strategy is to stick to my core business and to my area of expertise.

I instilled in my children the importance of good values in business: hard work, determination, integrity, and optimism.

We strongly believe that the Philippines has huge potential in the tourism industry, given our beautiful islands, moderate weather conditions, good cuisine, and the flair of Filipinos for hospitality and entertainment.

I used to roller skate a lot in my youth on Taft Avenue, Manila. That is the reason there is always a skating area in all my SM malls. I want more people to share my love for skating.

My businesses are all related - retail, shopping centers, banking, real estate, and tourism development. Together they create synergy.

Our businesses also help promote socio-economic progress.

I started with shoes, and with hard work and discipline, the business prospered. I moved to the department store business and again, things went well.

I have always believed that if we do well, we must also do something to help others in society.

My basic strategy is to stick to my core business, and to my area of expertise. My businesses are all related - retail, shopping centers, banking, real estate and tourism development. Together they create synergy.

There is no such thing as overnight success or easy money. If you fail, do not be discouraged; try again. When you do well, do not change your ways. Success is not just good luck: it is a combination of hard work, good credit standing, opportunity, readiness and timing. Success will not last if you do not take care of it.

SM Seaside City Cebu: soon to be the Philippines' Largest Mall and the 4th Largest in the World

You have to have a dream, whether big or small. Then plan, focus, work hard and be very determined to achieve your goals.

There is no substitute for hard work. There is no such thing as overnight success or easy money.

In life and in business, you need to be good-hearted and trustworthy, and to have integrity. This is the way to build long-term relationships. It is also important to be optimistic and to look at challenges as opportunities.