Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 5) — Fourteen Filipinos landed in Forbes Magazine’s 2023 World’s Billionaires List, with real estate magnate Manny Villar still the wealthiest with a fortune estimated at $8.6 billion.
Villar’s empire is anchored on the property and retail markets—Vista Land & Lifescapes, VistaREIT, Vistamalls, AllHome, and AllDay MartsAccording to Forbes, the former lawmaker’s biggest asset is his stake in Golden MV Holdings, a developer of mass housing projects and memorial parks.Ports tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., who chairs International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI), comes second with a net worth of $7.3 billion. ICTSI’s operations cover Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Africa, and America. Aside from holding the country’s biggest port operator, Razon also gains from his hospitality firm Bloomberry Resorts, and business in water utilities and renewable energy through Prime Infrastructure Capital.Ramon Ang, president of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), one of the Philippines’ major conglomerates, followed in third spot with a $3.4 billion net worth. Forbes said SMC dominates the food and beverages market while gaining more momentum in power and infrastructure sectors.Tied at fourth spot are Henry Sy Jr. and Andrew Tan with $2.5 billion net worth.Sy is a co-vice chairman of SM Investments, a conglomerate founded by his late father Henry Sy Sr. As the eldest son of the founder, he also serves as chairman of SM Prime, the group’s property arm with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers.Meanwhile, Tan leads Alliance Global, which has cemented its presence in food and beverage, gaming and real estate. Alliance Global runs Emperador, the world’s largest brandy company by sales volumeThe remaining Filipino billionaires in Forbes’ list include the following:— Hans Sy ($2.4 billion)— Herbert Sy ($2.4 billion)— Lucio Tan ($2.4 billion)— Harley Sy ($2.2 billion)— Teresita Sy-Coson ($2.2 billion)— Elizabeth Sy ($1.9 billion)— Lance Gokongwei ($1.4 billion)— Tony Tan Caktiong ($1.2 billion)
