"Our family was born to be working in the business, our father gave us no choice, " chuckles Sy-Coson (known as Tessie to her friends), who first worked part-time as a cashier in an sm store while a college student.

FORBES: Lean on Me

But Sy did little talking, instead deferring to Sy-Coson, who was by his side at all times.

FORBES: Lean on Me

"It is his baby, " says his eldest child, Teresita Sy-Coson, 56.

FORBES: Lean on Me

"We are carefully putting together a formula and making sure it works before we roll out more aggressively, " says Sy-Coson, with plans to add another three malls in the next five years.

FORBES: Magazine Article

"He is slowing down, " admits Sy-Coson.

FORBES: Magazine Article

"I'm very excited, " says Sy-Coson.

FORBES: Lean on Me

Their stories of triumph and tribulation have been chronicled as cover stories in FORBES ASIA in the past year, including features on Li Ka-shing, Steve Wynn, Teresita Sy-Coson, Simon and Eleanor Kwok, Vincent Tan, Shyam and Hari Bhartia, as well as Morris Chang, the FORBES ASIA Businessman of the Year in 2012.

FORBES: A Message From FORBES ASIA Publisher William Adamopoulos