Guadalquiver, who is in his early 80s, had served as Fruitas chair since August 2019, joining the company months before its stock market debut and helping guide the group through years of expansion.
Fruitas is the listed food and beverage group behind more than dozens of brands such as Fruitas, De Original Jamaican Pattie Shop, and Sabroso Lechon. Fruitas is also the parent firm of Balai ni Fruitas.
“We lost a great chairman, dearest friend, mentor and advisor. He has no other wish but for the House of Fruitas to always make our people’s (Filipinos) dreams come true,” Lester Yu, the founder and CEO of the Fruitas Group, told InsiderPH.
Decades in finance
A certified public accountant, Guadalquiver previously served as a senior partner at SGV & Co., where he handled domestic and international audit engagements and built expertise in initial public offerings, corporate restructuring, risk management and financial and tax advisory.
He later served as chair and chief executive officer of CG & Co. from 2000 to 2018 and as a director of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp., before also becoming chair of Balai ni Fruitas in December 2021.
“Mr. Guadalquiver faithfully served our organization from 2019 to 2026, providing steadfast leadership, wisdom, and guidance that helped shape our growth and success,” Fruitas said in a regulatory filing on Monday.
“His dedication, integrity, and commitment to excellence will be remembered by all who had the privilege of working with him,” it added.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
