Ray Go Manigsaca, President and CEO of AppleOne Group, stood before Philippine Christian University’s (PCU) Class of 2025 with a powerful message: “Success in life isn’t about perfection or overnight wins. It’s about perseverance, genuine relationships, and staying true to your values.”
A self-made entrepreneur and business leader, Manigsaca shared his journey from humble beginnings to building AppleOne into one of Cebu’s top property developers. Through hard work, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership, he turned challenges into opportunities—lessons he now imparts to the next generation of workforce and leaders.
The ceremony also honored Manigsaca with a Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa) from PCU, recognizing his contributions to business, education, and community development.
For graduates entering the workforce, his advice is clear: keep learning, take risks, build relationships, and lead with purpose.
Ray Go Manigsaca’s Leadership Lessons for Career Success:
With decades of experience in business, property development, and hospitality, Manigsaca shared his best career and leadership advice into four lessons that graduates and fellow leaders can apply in their own journeys:
Embrace learning over instant success
“I was not a straight-A student sitting in the front row, always eager to raise my hand. I wasn’t the loudest in the room. But I was always observing, listening, and learning.”
Manigsaca started his career as a salesman, not as a CEO. Instead of focusing on quick wins, he built knowledge by observing others, understanding business fundamentals, and treating every challenge as an opportunity to grow. He has always considered himself a student, constantly learning, and believes that every job—no matter how big or small—and every person you meet along the way teaches you something valuable. He emphasized that success isn’t about rushing to the top but about continuous learning and adaptation.
Take calculated risks, growth happens outside your comfort zone
“When the right opportunity came, I took the risk.”
In 1995, Manigsaca and his wife, Engr. Venus Manigsaca, used their savings to start their construction business, a bold move that eventually grew into AppleOne Group, now a major player in real estate, hospitality, and healthcare. He believes that success doesn’t come from waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment but from stepping out of one’s comfort zone, taking risks, and acting on opportunities with careful planning and preparation.
Build genuine relationships; business is about people
“It’s not just about what you know, but how you treat people and the genuine connections you make.”
Beyond business strategy, Manigsaca credits his success to strong and respectful relationships with mentors, colleagues, employees, and community partners. He encourages young professionals to respect everyone they encounter, from interns to executives, and to seek guidance from experienced mentors. True leadership, he stressed, isn’t about titles—it’s about actions and the way you treat others.
As Dr. Jet Cababan, VP for Finance & Administration of PCU introduced him:
“His journey is a powerful reminder that success is not only measured by financial gains but by the lives we touch and the legacies we build.”
Lead with values, success should make an impact
“Business is not just about making deals; it’s about making a positive impact.”
Manigsaca’s leadership is deeply rooted in faith, character, and service. His commitment to education, healthcare, and community development ensures that business growth is shared, not just earned. He believes that no matter the industry, true success comes from creating a positive and lasting impact. For him, businesses should not only generate profits but also serve as a purposive force in communities.
Turning Lessons into Action: The Journey Ahead
As AppleOne Group continues to expand, Manigsaca stays grounded on his values and focused on building businesses that uplift and elevate the lives of communities.
For graduates entering the workforce and soon-to-be our new leaders, his message is simple:
“The world is waiting for you, and I have no doubt you will leave a lasting impact. Take the risk, keep learning, and most of all—serve others.”
No matter where you start, your success is built on the choices you make today.
