Captain John Martin became president during the years of reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Cebu economy that was damaged during the Japanese occupation in 1942 to 1945.

But the Captain, so-called because of his rank in the US Army, was already a prominent member of the Cebu community during the pre-war years. It was John Martin who formed in

1928 the U.S. Country Club which was later on renamed and known to this day as Cebu Country Club situated in its original location measuring at least 45 hectares (with a 19-hole golf course) in Banilad, Cebu City. John Martin also became Charter President of the Rotary Club of Cebu in November 1932.

Martin’s presidency gave a face to leadership in the business community which encouraged businessmen and entrepreneurs to rebuild and grow from the ashes of the war years.