Get to know the women included in Forbes’ 50 Richest Filipinos list
Forbes has released its annual list of the Philippines' richest people—and though some of these names may not be familiar to you, their ventures have undoubtedly impacted many Filipino lives.
Utilizing shareholding and financial information obtained from the families and individuals, stock exchanges, analysts, and other sources, Forbes released the list Sept. 8 with data figuring a 30% increase in the billionaires' collective fortunes amid the pandemic.
This year, a number of Filipinas remained on the list with the ongoing success of their entrepreneurial ventures. Here are the names and businesses of the country's wealthiest women.
Sy Siblings—SM Prime Holdings, Inc.
Henry Sy's heirs led by eldest daughter Teresita Sy-Coson continue to take the top spot with a fortune of $16.6 billion or P826 billion. Per Forbes, their combined wealth is mostly comprised of their shares in the group's publicly traded SM Investments and SM Prime.
Dennis Anthony & Maria Grace Uy—Converge ICT Solutions
The husband and wife are newcomers on the list, with a total net worth of $2.8 billion or P139 billion from the telecommunications company Converge ICT Solutions, one of the county's largest Internet service providers.
With online services boosting amid work-from-home set-ups and remote learning, their majority stake in the company landed them in 6th place for their debut.
Vivian Que Azcona & Siblings—Mercury Drug Corporation
With the pandemic also increasing the need for reliable pharmaceutical services, Mercury Drug president and heir Vivian Azcona's net worth continues to thrive at $1.65 billion or P82 billion. She places 15th on Forbes' list.
Adding her siblings' company stakes to her wealth, the drug store chain was passed onto Vivian by her late father Mariano Que when he passed away in 2017.
Soledad Oppen-Cojuangco—San Miguel Corporation
Soledad landed her fortune after her husband and former San Miguel Corp Chairman/CEO Eduardo Cojuangco, passed away in June of 2020. Ramon Ang now helms the food and beverage conglomerate and rests at #7 on the list, while Soledad is at #17. She shares her $1.42 billion net worth with her and Eduardo's four children, Mark, Carlos, Luisa, and Margarita.
Betty Ang—Monde Nissin
Just behind Soledad is Betty Ang, the co-founder and president of Monde Nissin, a fellow food manufacturer which rolls out popular local snacks under Lucky Me!, Nissin, Bingo, Voice, and more.
She shares the company with her husband and vice-chairman Hoediono Kweefanus, who comes from an Indonesian family. Per Forbes, the family is known to have an elusive personal life. They also own the Khong Guan Biscuit Factory in Indonesia.
Mercedes Gotianun—Filinvest Development
Mercedes serves as chairperson emerita of the wide-scale conglomerate with services under property, banking services, sugar, and power. She and her late husband Andrew Gotianun Sr. started the company in 1955 as a used-car financing company.
Their daughter Josephine Gotianun Yap now helms the company as president and CEO.
Meanwhile, the 50 Filipinos that made the coveted Forbes list have a combined wealth of P3.9 trillion. Former senator and Vista Land & Lifescapes chair Manuel 'Manny' Villar remains the country's wealthiest individual.
