Our Story

We are a Cebu-based holding company with businesses in the Philippines and abroad engaged in different industries, from fashion retailing and wood distribution to real estate property development, food retailing, and healthcare services.

penshoppe shop at 1964
  1. 1964

    Driven by his pioneering entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. Leo Lim Liu starts the Mandaue Timber Company

  2. 1968

    Mandaue Timber Company engages major lumber exporters and introduces kiln-dried wood processing in the Philippines.

  3. 1974

    With a surge of vitality, the Mandaue Timber Company adapts the name Matimco, Inc.

  4. 1984

    Matimco CEO Alfredo Go acquires Kingsway Enterprises Corporation in Quezon City.

  5. 1986

    Penshoppe is born despite the country’s political and economic turmoil caused by the first EDSA Revolution.

  6. 1986

    Penshoppe’s first batch of Club Pen (brand’s goodwill ambassadors) is formed.

  7. 1987

    Matimco introduces Matimco Mouldings and other processed architectural wood products.

  8. 1987

    Penshoppe trailblazes in retail technology by becoming the first to use barcode, electronic data processing, and introducing concession arrangement through department stores.

  9. 1988

    Penshoppe trailblazes in retail and manufacturing and revolutionizes the basic t-shirt by being the first in the industry to extensively use digital embroidery in stitching.

  10. 1991

    Penshoppe becomes the first Cebuano fashion brand to penetrate the national market with the opening of SM North EDSA branch, its first boutique in Manila.

  11. 1996

    OXGN (then Oxygen) is born to cater to the edgier market niche.

  12. 1999

    GOLDEN ABC breaks records by being the first in the fashion retail industry to invest in the SAP, and becomes the largest retail company in Southeast Asia to implement the Enterprise Resource Planning software.

  13. 2000

    Under the direction of Matimco CEO Charlie H. Liu, a partnership with Solignum marks the birth of MATWOOD, the company’s flagship artisanal wood brand

  14. 2000

    Penshoppe is recognized as the Most Outstanding Retailer by the Philippine Retailers Association

  15. 2001

    Penshoppe receives the Most Outstanding Retailer Award by the Philippine Retailers Association for the second consecutive year

  16. 2001

    OXGN (then Oxygen) bags the Most Promising Brand Award from the Philippine Retailers Association and Department of Trade and Industry

  17. 2002

    Penshoppe is elevated to the Hall of Fame by the Philippine Retailers Association.

  18. 2002

    Memo is launched as fully independent, professional wear brand.

  19. 2004

    ForMe is born. It is a concept brand that makes fashion easy for the ladies.

  20. 2004

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. launches its annual employee recognition program called the GABC Recognition of Employee’s Achievements and Triumphs (GREAT) Awards.

  21. 2004

    Two-year-old Memo bags the Philippine Retailers Association’s Most Promising Retailer Award.

  22. 2005

    OXGN becomes a Best Cinematography finalist for its world-class ad “Underground” at the 2005 New York Festivals.

  23. 2006

    OXGN is recognized as the 2006 Most Outstanding Retailer by the Philippine Retailers Association and the Department of Trade & Industry

  24. 2006

    Matimco launches the PCW brand with the help of advanced engineering technology, and becomes a founding member of the Philippine Green Building Council

  25. 2006

    Matimco introduces WEATHERWOOD, its first outdoor architectural brand, to cater Filipino outdoor and wellness lifestyles

  26. 2006

    Penshoppe’s “Battle Cry” TV commercial bags a bronze at the New York Festival and Araw Values Awards

  27. 2006

    Penshoppe stages the Penshoppe Denimlab Rockfest in celebration of 20th Anniversary

  28. 2007

    LH Paragon, Inc. Foundress Norma Liu is conferred by his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI as Dame of the Papal Order of St. Sylvester, Pope

  29. 2007

    ForMe is awarded as the Most Promising Retailer, making GOLDEN ABC, Inc. the first fashion retail company to have all of its brands recognized by the Philippine Retailers Association and the Department of Trade & Industry

  30. 2007

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. CEO Bernie Liu is recognized as one of Cebu’s Most Inspiring Entrepreneur by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship

  31. 2007

    OXGN makes it to the Hall of Fame as Most Outstanding Retailer by the Philippine Retailers Association and the Department of Trade & Industry

  32. 2009

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. acquires Regatta as its 5th brand

  33. 2010

    LH Paragon, Inc. Founder and Chairman Emeritus Leo Lim Liu is conferred by his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI the Knighthood of the Order of St. Sylvester, Pope.

  34. 2010

    Memo is elevated in the Retail Hall of Fame as it wins Outstanding Filipino Retailer of the Year for two consecutive years.

  35. 2010

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. receives the GOLD BAGWIS Excellence for Consumers Award by the Department of Trade & Industry.

  36. 2010

    Penshoppe opens its first store in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

  37. 2011

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc.’s After6 Program is recognized as the People Program of the Year by the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP).

  38. 2011

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. launches its corporate social responsibility arm called Get Up.

  39. 2011

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. celebrates its 25th Anniversary, Homecoming in Cebu, 8th GREAT Awards & 1st Founders’ Awards.

  40. 2012

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc.’s Get Up receives the Silver Tambuli Award for Integrated Multi Media Campaign.

  41. 2012

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc.’s Get Up earns the Award of Excellence from the Philippine Quill Awards.

  42. 2012

    Matimco introduces new brands using sustainable materials – MUZU for a bamboo line of interior architectural products and NUWOOD for recyclable wood and plastic technology for the outdoor lifestyle market.

  43. 2013

    For its 50th year, Matimco launches the HOUSE OF WOOD. ECOFOR brand is then created as a solution to growing lumber market needs.

  44. 2013

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. CEO Bernie Liu is recognized with the 2013 PLDT Grand Bossing Award

  45. 2013

    ForMe is awarded as the 2012 Retailer of the Year / Hall of Famer by the Philippine Retailers Association and DTI

  46. 2014

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. is recognized by the ASEAN Business Awards Philippines with the ASEAN Centricity Award

  47. 2014

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. is recognized as the 1st Runner up for ASEAN Centricity Award by the ASEAN Business Awards Regional (Myanmar)

  48. 2014

    Matimco Inc. celebrates 50th year anniversary by showcasing 50 new wood products in the “Matimco House of Wood” display at the 19th Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition (WORLDBEX).

  49. 2015

    Matimco launches a commercial grade composite floor line alongside the 1st National Ecofor Carpenter’s Day, an annual celebration for Filipino carpenters nationwide.

  50. 2015

    Penshoppe is recognized as the 2014 Global Retailer of the Year by the Philippine Retailers Association and Department of Trade and Industry

  51. 2017

    Matimco releases another first and only Matwood Innovation Floors, adopting new treatment technology for click system and quality engineered wood floors in the Philippine Market

  52. 2017

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. wins big at the 19th Ayala Malls Merchant Rewards, with Penshoppe’s Trinoma branch receiving the Store of the Year award and Memo’s Market Market branch earning the Store Operations Excellence Award

  53. 2017

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. receives the Priority Integration Sector Excellence Award for Retail during the ASEAN Business Awards

  54. 2017

    Penshoppe is inducted into Hall of Fame: 10 Billion Club by Francorp Philippines

  55. 2017

    Penshoppe is recognized as the Country Winner for Best Marketing Campaign Award by the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retailers Associations (FAPRA) Awards

  56. 2018

    Matimco Inc. launches a variety of new wood products: PCW Lamina Ultra 2.0 Hybrid and MW Platinum Mouldings.

  57. 2018

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. receives the Excellence Award on Export Services during the National Export Congress by the Department of Trade and Industry

  58. 2019

    Penshoppe is recognized as the Retailer of the Year and also receives the Outstanding Visual Merchandising Campaign Award at the 21st Outstanding Filipino Retailers Awards

  59. 2020

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. is accorded the 2020 Corporate Partner-Water Pillar Award by the World Wide Fund-Philippines

  60. 2021

    BOCU is born to offer simple and streamlined modern essentials

  61. 2021

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. becomes one of only 20 PH companies to rank in Financial Times’ list of top 500 fastest growing companies in Asia-Pacific

  62. 2021

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. invests in the largest and most-advanced omni-channel solution in the Philippines

  63. 2021

    Penshoppe is awarded as the Most Influential Local Fashion Brand at the 2021 MEGA Fashion Awards

  64. 2021

    Penshoppe unveils new flagship stores at SM Mall of Asia and Ayala Malls Trinoma

  65. 2021

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. launches the GABC Got Your Vacc Program, a free vaccination drive for all employees

  66. 2021

    BOCU wins Lazada’s 2021 Rookie of the Year award

  67. 2021

    Matimco unveils Matimco Wood Lounge, its first premium showroom that offers innovative digital features and interactive wood product displays.

  68. 2022

    GOLDEN ABC, Inc. wins gold and silver accolades at the 2022 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards in the Innovative Management in Consumer Product & Service Industries and Most Valuable Corporate Response categories respectively.

Our Core Values

  • GOD-CENTEREDNESS

    We will always humbly acknowledge the Almighty Father as the source and reason for everything good. It is to put God at the center of everything and to ensure that everything the businesses do is in line with the teachings of God, especially that of the Holy Family.

  • LOVE FOR OUR WORK AND BUSINESSES

    We, as a company that holds several other companies, show commitment to our work and support our businesses in all the interests we pursue.

  • INTEGRITY

    We will uphold strong moral principles and ensure that these are exemplified in everything that the company undertakes. Our employees are also empowered to set an example that is worthy to be emulated by others.

  • ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

    We will foster a spirit of openness and initiative to seek opportunities and encourage tolerance for risk in embracing new opportunities and endeavors.

  • SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

    We will further the Founders’ cause by undertaking activities that will positively impact society.