He is also the founder of the Cebu-based shipping company, William Lines and a patron of football in the Philippines.

The elder Chiongbian was a politician who was elected as a councilor of Plaridel in 1925 and became first municipal mayor of Don Mariano Marcos which was later renamed after him in 1986.

[4] Chiongbian established the William Lines shipping company on December 13, 1945, making Cebu as its hub.

He named a ship M/V Victoriano after his father which had its maiden voyage serving the locales of Cebu to Tagbilaran, Bohol and Siquijor, then to Plaridel and Ozamiz, Misamic Occidental.

[2] From 1946 to 1949, his citizenship was subject to dispute by the Bureau of Customs, which meant that Chiongian could lose his ships since non-Filipino citizens cannot operate and own vessels of Philippine registry at that time.

The Philippines finished as quarterfinalist for that edition of the Asian Games, causing a 1–0 upset against Japan in the group stage in the process.