Business Men
* Lucio Tan
Proclaimed to be the richest industrialist in the Philippines, Mr. Lucio Tan manages a diverse conglomerate within South East Asia. His business empire includes tobacco manufacturing (Fortune Tobacco), the second-largest brewery (Asia Breweries), a rum maker which is one of the largest in the world (Tanduay Holdings), the country’s flagship airline, Philippine Airlines, leading bank institutions in the country (Philippine National Bank and Allied Bank), one of the most financially stable university in the Philippines (University of the East), and most recently Eton Enterprisers, the planned leader in real-estate development in the country. These are just some of the 300 companies he holds and controls. He has an estimated personal net worth of $2.5 billion and is listed in Forbes Magazine as the third richest man in the country and is among the 400th plus placers in the whole wide world. His wealth has been hounded by controversies because of his close ties with political figures, and is known to contribute money for a presidential campaign. Most notable is during the Marcos reign, where he was accused to have evaded tax in millions of pesos and was given many favours by then President Marcos in exchange for some loyalties. Still, one cannot argue that his rise to wealth and staying on top of it is not an easy feat.
* Jon Ramon Aboitiz
He is currently the President and CEO of Aboitiz & Co. and the Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. He hails from Cebu and has Spanish origins. After graduating in 1976 with a degree in B.S. Commerce, major in Management from the University of Santa Clara, California, he came to join the Aboitiz Group as a manager. In 1976, he became its president along with being the CEO of Aboitiz & Co. and the Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. He also holds various positions in the vast Aboitiz Group conglomerate. To help his fellow countrymen alleviate poverty, he stands as trustee of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., the Aboitiz Group Foundation, Inc., and the Association of Philippine Foundations. These charitable organizations are helping the country through education grants and programmes. He is also a member of the Board of Advisors, Washington Sycip Policy Forum, at the Asian Institute of Management. Among his many business involvements in the business sector, his vision and belief in the Filipino people is inspiring. To quote him in Sun.Star Cebu’s interview of him as one of the 23 Most Influential Cebuanos: “I see growth in Cebu business not only in our traditional exports, but more so in tourism, call centers, business process outsourcing. Our shipbuilding projects in Balamban will also continue to grow and expand. Hopefully, the mining sector in Cebu can also be rehabilitated, which will not only expand employment but also exports.” This just proves how positive his outlook is through his local countrymen and Filipinos as a whole.
* Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.
This wealthy scion stirs controversy in the political field as well as the business sector. He had his share of sensation throughout the country because he is a key player in presidential campaigns, specially being a close advisor and personal friend to the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos. He was one of the Rolex 12, a group closest to Marcos and allegedly was the enforcers of Martial Law. He himself run for the Presidency in 1992 but lost to Fidel V. Ramos under his own party, National People’s Coalition (NPC) of which he is also the founder and currently the Chairman Emeritus. He also chairs the Philippines’ largest food and beverage industry, San Miguel Corporation. According to Forbes.com, he is the 13th most richest man in the Philippines with estimated net worth at $540 million. He also owns a large stud farm in Australia and New Zealand. It involves thoroughbred racing and breeding of race horses. The government won a 27% stake in a court decision, and he’s still facing a civil suit for the alleged “ill-gotten” wealth he acquired during the Marcos regime. He is a devoted basketball fan, which is manifested in his company sponsorships of basketball leagues and hosting of other sports events. Presently, SMC owned three teams all playing in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). At the age of 72, Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. continues to influence Philippine politics and economy by having his stand on certain major issues.***