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= Gonzalo Co It =

Gonzalo Co It (born Co Su Giap; traditional Chinese: 許書業; January 25, 1922 – April 15, 2016) was a Filipino businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Gonzalo Laboratories, Inc., who made Green Cross Rubbing Alcohol and Zonrox Bleach.

Early life and education
Following his grandmother's death, he moved with his mother to the Philippines at the age of 11 from Fujian. At the immigration office, he was given the name Co It. In Chinese, "It" means No. 1. He was the first of his father's line.

Many years later when he was naturalized, Co It became his surname. Following 2 years after he arrived the Philippines, he was baptized in Sta. Clara de Montefalco Church on Zamora Street in Pasay City. He was 13 years old. Jesus "Paco" Sonora, the father of the late actress Susan Roces, the wife of the late presidential candidate and actor Fernando Poe, Jr.), stood as his godfather. Paco gave him his Christian name, Gonzalo. All through his school days, he was known as Gonzalo Co.

Co It was enrolled in La Salle College, presently known as De La Salle Unversity, located in Taft Avenue, Manila. The Christian Brothers at La Salle helped shaped his character. Inspired by the school's color, he decided on "Green" in Green Cross Rubbing Alcohol, a brand he founded in 1952.

Early Career
During his undergraduate studies at Far Eastern University, Co It was a working student who was a student by day and a waiter at Gold Star Café on Avendia Rizal at night.

In 1947, he was working at Manila Commercial Company, a trading firm that distributed health care and beauty products like Gray Cross Alcohol and various lotions. One of the owners of Manila Commercial Company was his uncle, Quieng Sun Hing. His uncle was the treasurer and assistant manager of the company.

Co It began working in Manila Commercial Company as cook and warehouseman. Juggling with his responsibilities, at night, he was an English teacher at Sin Hing Night School. In 1949, during his second year as a cook and warehouseman, his uncle Quieng promoted him to succeed his position as treasurer. Establishing a reputation for honesty and integrity, he was given responsibility for the sales force the Quiapo and Divisoria areas. That was when he learned how to sell, a skill that would help him later on when he started his own company.

Green Cross Rubbing Alcohol
Manila Commercial bought its products from Rabin Company of New York, USA, who supplied the company with face poweder, skil lotion, face cream, other beauty products, and isopropyl alcohol, called Gray Cross Rubbing Alcohol. It was the first time they encountered an alcohol product in the Philippine market. That was the first time rubbing alcohol was introduced for common use in the Philippines.

However, in 1950, during President Elpido Quirino's term, the newly established Central Bank imposed import controls. Manila Commercial Company could not import products, so they bought raw products from La Tondeña and made rubbing alcohol. However, it was not a success.

Origin
On June 16, 1952, Co It decided it was time to move on. He resigned after putting up his own company, Gonzalo Laboratory, on 2500 Taft Avenue, Pasay City as a sole proprietor. He poured all his savings into his new venture, a pricely sum of PHP 3,400 at that time. He leased one of two apartments at 2500 Taft Avenue from the owner, Mr. Ramirez, the father of Donnie Ramirez, who later became his compadre. He also bought raw materials from La Tondeña and some containers. Gonzalo Laboratory's first and only product then was Green Cross Rubbing Alcohol.

Co It named the product Green Cross because he wanted to differentiate it from Gray Cross Alcohol, the product he successfully introduced in the domestic market. He changed the word gray, a color that seemed so dark and foreboding, to green, which to him signified hope and a new life. He was also from La Salle, so he was partial to green.

Trademark Obtained
He went to the Bureau of Patents, where trademarks were also being registered. However, the officer-in-charge of the registry refused to give him the trademark for Green Cross Rubbing Alcohol because it was too similar to Red Cross. Refusing to be stymied, he approached the head of the bureau, Attorney Federico Agrava, who happened to be a member of the Order of the Knights of Colombus, helped approve the trademark without further questions. Agrava and Co It became good friends.

First Employee
Raymundo Dig, a former colleague from Manila Commercial Company, became the sole emoplyee when Gonzalo Laboratories started operations. Dig mixed the alcohol and Co It peddled it.

Early Customers
Co It's first customer was Colossal Drug, who was owned by a distant auntie from his village in China. He also sold to Mercury Drug Store in Bambang, who was owned by Mariano Que. He also sold to United Drug, the forerunning of phamerceutical giant Unilab, in Sto. Cristo, Manila. Other notable customers include Henry Sy's drugstore in front of Quiapo church, Commander Drug, Sin Lian Thay, Ken Sen Trading, Bee Lian Trading, and several other stores in Divisoria.

Zonrox Bleach
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Philanthropy
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Book
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Recognition
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Death
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