Don Tomas Liao Lamco- Stalwart of the Pre-war Chinese Community
Don Tomas Liao Lamco Don Tomas Liao Lamco Before the emergence of giant malls and supermarkets in Cebu, he owned the largest pre-war department store called "La Belleza" as well as the international trading enterprise Tomas Liao Lamco & Co. in Norte America St. (now D. Jakosalem ). Fluent in Spanish, Chinese and Cebuano, he was an expert in trading and the financial markets during his time. As a prominent figure in Cebu’s pre-war Chinese community, he served as a senior leader of the Cebu Chinese Chamber of Commerce leading up to World War II. Published in 1913, here is what the Rosenstock's Reference Library of the Philippines said about him on page 64: "Born on February 3rd 1876 in Amoy, China. Son of Liao Sig and Tan Gui . Educated in a private school in Amoy; came to Manila, 1890, where he studied Spanish and Mercantile Courses in private schools. First worked in the store of his uncle in Cebu, being agent and travelling for the firm to and from Manila and...