[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         50TH ANNIVERSARY OF M.V. PANGILINAN ENTERPRISES, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 1998

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, fifty years ago a $5,000 bank loan was 
employed to finance a tailor shop. This small business venture gave 
rise to one of the most diversified groups of companies on the island 
of Guam.
  For the last fifty years, M.V. Pangilinan Enterprises has been at the 
forefront in providing goods and services to the people of Guam and the 
man behind MVP Enterprises and its success is Marciano ``Mark'' Vega 
Pangilinan. Born in the town of Mexico in the Philippine province of 
Pampanga, Mark first established business contacts on the island of 
Guam immediately after World War II. Serving as a radioman in a 
Merchant Marine ship bringing troops back to the U.S. mainland, he got 
well acquainted with the island's business leaders.
  In 1948, he opened a tailor shop which was expanded in 1949 and came 
to be known as the Agana Men's Apparel Shop. Mark went on to open a 
restaurant and a furniture shop before his ventures in construction, 
insurance, retailing, sporting goods, publishing, hardware and car 
dealerships. Several island businesses distinctly bear his name. Mark's 
Motors, Mark's Sporting Goods and Mark's insurance together with Ben 
Franklin Department Store, Ace Hardware and Guam Office Supply are 
companies that have become landmarks on Guam.
  November 9, 1991 was proclaimed by Former Governor Joseph Ada as 
``Mark V. Pangilinan Day'' for all his accomplishments as a pioneering 
entrepreneur. Prior to this, he had been named ``Most Outstanding 
Filipino in Business'' by the Philippine government in 1974 and Guam 
Business News' ``Executive of the Year'' in 1987. For his strength 
keenness of vision, and great achievements in business leadership, he 
was elected to the Guam Business Hall of Fame on April 30, 1994.
  Taking time out of his business ventures, Mark Pangilinan has also 
devoted vast amounts of personal time and resources to civic 
activities. He was instrumental in the establishment of the University 
of Guam and the Guam Memorial Hospital. On different instances, he 
chaired University of Guam Board of Regents and the Guam Power 
Authority. He was also the campaign chairman of the Guam Chapter of the 
American Red Cross, a member of the COMNAVMAR Civilian Advisory Board 
and the Guam Chamber of Commerce. Aside from being a leader and 
spokesman for the Guam Filipino community, his humanitarian work have 
gone a long way in relieving his countrymen in Philippines from the 
devastations of volcanic eruptions and typhoons.
  For his civic works and charitable efforts, he had twice been awarded 
the Ancient Order of the Chamorri, the highest award the Government of 
Guam can bestow. He had also been conferred an Honorary Doctor of Laws 
degree from the University of Guam. His Holiness Pope John Paul II 
awarded him the Pro-Ecclessia Pontificae for services rendered to the 
Catholic Church.
  For fifty years now, Guam's business and commercial activities have 
reaped great benefits from the goods and services provided by M.V. 
Pangilinan Enterprises and most especially from the entrepreneurial 
spirit of its founder Marciano ``Mark'' Vega Pangilinan and MVP 
Enterprises has provided Guam, the island's business community and its 
people. Congratulations, Mark. I hope that the next fifty years would 
bring continued success to MVP Enterprises.

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