Guanzon Group of Companies 80th Anniversary + Guanzon Festival 2025: Mobility and Beyond

It seems that fifteen years passed by like a blur. In 2010, a special issue of our printed publication, MotorCycle Magazine, was released to commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the Guanzon Group of Companies. The special issue was titled “The Miracle of Time”, in reference to the theme of the Guanzon Group’s anniversary and as tribute to the achievements of the men and women who helped grow the business – from the founder, Guan Kay Lo, his wife, Pacita, to their sons, Joseph and Guanson Lo, to their loyal and dedicated employees.

Fast forward to May 22, 2025 and suddenly, we found ourselves not only celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Guanzon Group of Companies, but also witnessing the inauguration of their latest venture, The Waltz Convention Center, where their annual Guanzon Festival has finally found its permanent home. We also witnessed the rise of the third generation of the Lo family helping manage and further grow the family business along with the new generation of loyal and dedicated Guanzon employees.

Starting in 1945

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” may be the appropriate adage that applies to the journey of businessman Guan Kay Lo. He took the first “single step” in 1945 to put up a small business that went through an amazing journey of changes, challenges, commitment, dedication, hard work and careful planning. Towards the end of World War II, Lo, who was fondly called by his friends as Juan or Johnny, saw a lucrative business opportunity. He bought hogs from his neighborhood, exchanged these for canned goods and liquors at the American military base, and then traded the US goods in Manila.

At the time, the kalesa or horse-drawn buggy was the most popular means of transportation in his locality in Pangasinan and Guan Kay Lo’s passion for business compelled him to sell parts for the kalesa.  His first shop in Dagupan was built with light materials like a nipa hut and he used the business name Guanzon Hardware, which was derived from a namesake he saw in Tondo, Manila during one of his trade trips there. Aside from kalesa spare parts, Guanzon Hardware also sold fishing nets, supplies and accessories, small appliances and sewing machines, and spare parts.

1950 – 1960

By 1950, bicycles were gaining some popularity around the country and Guanzon Hardware started selling bicycles and spare parts in addition to their existing product lines. The continued rise in the demand for bicycles as a means of personal transportation went on until the late ‘50s, but the market created a demand for faster mobility and for motorized bikes in 1960. Guanzon Hardware saw the business potential and added motorcycles to its inventory.

The company enjoyed brisk motorcycle sales up to 1964. To get the biggest market share in the Pangasinan motorcycle market, Guan Kay Lo signed up with Mariwasa-Honda which gave Guanzon Hardware the pioneering Honda motorcycle dealership in Pangasinan. In 1968, the shop was razed by fire and Guan Kay Lo had to borrow money from his relatives to re-open the business. It took Guanzon Hardware two years before they managed to recoup from their losses and stabilize their business operation.

1970 – 1980

With a brighter financial outlook in 1970, the company started to hire additional employees in order to fill up its growing manpower requirements. In 1975, Guanzon Hardware added Suzuki motorcycles to its inventory after Antonio Suzuki Corporation strengthened its distribution and marketing forces in the country.

Despite the unstable political and economic climate around the country in 1983, the company opened Guanzon Merchandising Corporation along Perez Boulevard in Dagupan City.  This was the first branch was engaged in selling the full motorcycle product line-up of Mariwasa Honda and during the same year, Guanzon renewed their partnership with the formation of Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI).  Since then, Guanzon gets consistently awarded as one of the most outstanding dealers of HPI.

1990 – 2000

In 1990, LGK Guanzon, Inc. was established as an exclusive dealer of Honda motorcycle and its first shop at A.B. Fernandez, Dagupan City was opened. Consistently meeting its sales targets, Guanzon Honda expanded with six more branches.  Three years later, the company ventured into the automobile business by partnering with Honda Cars Pangasinan, Inc. In 1998, United Excelsior Marketing Inc. (UEMI), the first multi-brand shop carrying all brands of motorcycles was established.

The company ventured into the mobile phone business and Guanzon Merchandising Corporation started selling GSM mobile phones in 1998. Because of the growing popularity of mobile phones, the first Guanzon Mobitek store was established at the Magis Mall in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. Meanwhile, the company’s motorcycle business continued to expand with Motorcentrum Corporation, which opened in 2003 and sells Honda motorcycles exclusively; with Suzuki 3S Shops starting in 2004; and partnerships with Yamaha Motor Philippines (YMPH), Inc. starting in 2007; and Kawasaki Motors (Phils.) Corporation (KMPC) starting in 2008.

2010 -2025

2010 saw the expansion of their exclusive and multi-brand motorcycle dealerships, new mobile phone shops, and the introduction of G-Card, which epitomizes the Guanzon Loyalty Program of extending their gratitude to their customers who patronize the Guanzon Group’s large network of stores around the country. As part of their 65th Anniversary celebrations in 2010, four Guanzon Festival events were organized in four different locations to honor their more than one million loyal customers of their motorcycle, car, mobile phone and after sales service operations.

The Guanzon Group continued the expansion of its motorcycle, car and tech dealerships throughout the 2010’s. In December 2019, they opened The Monarch Hotel in Calasiao, bringing world-class hospitality and service to Pangasinan. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 tested the resolve of many companies and their leaders but because of the increased dependence of delivery companies on motorcycles and mobile gadgets during this bleak period, the Guanzon Group of Companies remained strong and even continued to expand afterwards. Their next real estate venture, The Porch by The Monarch, was opened in 2022.

Guanzon Festival 2025

To celebrate their 80th Anniversary, the company clustered their resources and held the Guanzon Festival 2025 at their newest facility, The Waltz Convention Center. The festivities began with a short parade featuring a brass marching band with majorettes leading a convoy of horse-drawn buggies ridden by the top executives of the Big 4 motorcycle companies in the country – Honda (HPI), Kawasaki (KMPC), Suzuki (SPH) and Yamaha (YMPH). After disembarking off their buggies, Guanzon Group Chief Executive officer (CEO) Engineer Joseph Lo, Chief Operations Officer (COO) Guanson Lo and Samsung officers cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the official opening of Guanzon Festival 2025 and the inauguration of The Waltz.

After the welcome remarks, the motorcycle companies unveiled their display pavilions to the surprise and enjoyment of the hundreds of patrons and riders that attended the Guanzon Festival. Aside from the great opportunities to purchase the latest motorcycle models, helmets, riding gear, parts, accessories, lubricants, and other related items, there were also big discounts on mobile phones and tech gadgets from popular brands carried by Guanzon Mobitek. Outside The Waltz, there were car displays and a short track in the parking lot, where prospective buyers can test ride the latest motorcycle and scooter models.

A Legacy of Responsible Community Building

Walking around the well-built and well-managed facilities – The Monarch Hotel, The Porch, and The Waltz – and looking at the large selection of motorcycles, cars and mobile devices offered by their various dealers/subsidiaries, we cannot help but be inspired by the business acumen that was started by Guan Kay Lo, that was handed down to his children, who expanded the business exponentially, which is now being further expanded and stewarded by the third generation, the grandchildren.

Moreover, LGK Guanzon Foundation Inc. was founded by Guan Kay Lo and Pacita Lo, not only as their company’s corporate responsibility, but as their family’s personal responsibility to give back to the community. 80 years on, the Lo family continues their role of community building in Pangasinan and in the whole country, as they continue to inspire and lead a dedicated and loyal army of employees, who in turn, provide millions of loyal customers a service that only the Guanzon Group of Companies can deliver. It was Guan Kay Lo’s belief that “The source of success in any kind of business comes from the support of the community.”

Happy 80th Anniversary, Guanzon Group of Companies! May your tribe continue to increase!

The Guanzon Festival 2025 is ongoing from Thursday, May 22 to Sunday, May 25 at The Waltz convention center near The Monarch Hotel in Calasiao, Pangasinan.