Fortunato Halili

Fortunato Flores Halili (February 28, 1898 Santa Maria, Bulacan - December 29, 1966) was a Filipino politician and business magnate who served as the Governor of the province of Bulacan in the Philippines from 1943 to 1944 and from 1946 to 1951. Prior to his political career and throughout the mid-20th century, Halili founded and managed F.F. Halili Enterprises, a massive conglomerate known for operating Halili Transit and manufacturing Halili Beer.

Business career Halili established F.F. Halili Enterprises, which grew into a prominent industrial empire in the Philippines following World War II.

Halili Transit He operated Halili Transit, one of the largest and most ubiquitous bus operators in the country during the mid-20th century. The transportation company maintained extensive routes connecting Manila to various northern provincial destinations, including Bulacan, making it a critical asset in post-war public transport.

Halili Brewery In addition to public transportation, Halili ventured into the beverage and brewing industry. He established a large brewery along Balintawak in Quezon City. Through a franchise agreement with the Mission Dry Corporation ("California Crushed Fruit Corporation" ) in Los Angeles, his company was initially given the exclusive right to bottle and distribute Mission beverages in the Philippines.

The brewery's most famous proprietary product was Halili Beer, which became a formidable competitor to the leading brands in the local market during the 1960s. The brewery also produced Goody Rootbeer. Production eventually ceased largely due to Halili's declining health, he was reportedly afflicted with infantile paralysis, which left the company without firm leadership and led to the closure of the brand. Today, surviving first-generation Halili Beer bottles are considered rare and highly valued historical artifacts among Filipino antique collectors. Fortunato F. Halili National Agricultural School: A public agricultural institution located in Barangay Guyong, Santa Maria. It was officially renamed from the Philippine National Agricultural School on March 31, 1992, through Republic Act No. 7331, to honor the former governor.