Top 40 Richest Filipinos in 2008

Jaime Zobel de Ayala and his family are not anymore the richest people in the Philippines. That’s according to the recent list of “The Philippines’ 40 Richest” published annually by business magazine Forbes.

Shopping mall and real estate mogul Henry Sy and his family are now on top of the list, with US$3.1 billion net worth. Tycoon Lucio Tan and family are next, with net worth amounting to US$1.5 billion. Last year’s richest person, Jaime Zobel de Ayala, is this year’s biggest loser, with total net worth down by US$800 million after his Ayala Corporation’s stock price plummeted 46%.

The Philippines’ 40 richest are worth a total of $14 billion, down from $17 billion in 2007 and $16 billion in 2006. The list of the country’s wealthiest Filipinos below.

1. Henry Sy & family

Networth: $3.1 billion

Age: 83

Marital Status: Married, 6 children

His SM Prime Holdings is the Philippines’ largest shopping mall developer. Controls Banco de Oro (BDO), the nation’s second-largest bank. Owns stakes in a dozen other companies.

2. Lucio Tan & family

Networth: $1.5 billion

Age: 74

Marital Status: Married, 6 children

Former chemical engineer from China who mopped floors to pay for school. Owns Fortune Tobacco, nation’s largest cigarette maker; Philippines Airlines, country’s leading airline; Asia Brewery, maker of beer and alcoholic beverages; and mining operations.

3. Jaime Zobel de Ayala & family

Networth: $1.2 billion

Age: 74

Marital Status: Married, 7 children

Personally holds no shares; wealth now in children’s hands. Jaime is chairman emeritus of the country’s largest conglomerate, Ayala Corporation while eldest son, Jaime Augusto, is chief executive. Holdings include Globe Telecom, Ayala Land, Bank of the Philippine Islands, and several other real estate and BPO companies. Down from number 1 spot last year after shares of Ayala Corporation fell 46%.

4. Andrew Tan

Networth: $700 million

Age: 57

Marital Status: Married, 4 children

Son of Chinese factory worker who walked to college campus because he couldn’t afford bus fare. Put himself through university in part by working as a salesman in a watch store. His holding company Alliance Global owns shares in the Philippine franchise of McDonald’s; the maker of local best-selling brandy, Emperador; and property developer, Megaworld.

5. Tony Tan Caktiong & family

Networth: $690 million

Age: 58

Marital Status: Married, 3 children

Owner of fast-food king Jollibee, now with more than 1,600 locations and 8 brands in 9 countries. After buying out partner in Shanghai fast-food chain Yonghe King and acquiring Chinese restaurant chain Hongzhuangyuan in 2007, it is set for further expansion in China after successfully borrowing $100 million in 2008.

6. John Gokongwei Jr. & family – $680 million, 81 years old

7. Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. – $610 million, 73 years old

8. Enrique Razon Jr. – $525 million, 48 years old

9. George Ty & family – $435 million, 75 years old

10. Inigo & Mercedes Zobel – $430 million

11. Manuel Villar – $425 million, 58 years old

12. Emilio Yap & family – $420 million, 82 years old

13. Vivian Que Azcona & family – $360 million

14. Beatrice Campos & family – $325 million

15. Luis Virata – $270 million, 54 years old

16. Oscar Lopez & family – $240 million, 78 years old

17. Andrew Gotianun – $235 million, 80 years old

18. Alfonso Yuchengco & family – $200 million, 85 years old

19. Mariano Tan & family – $195 million

20. Manuel Zamora – $130 million, 69 years old

21. Menardo Jimenez & family – $129 million, 76 years old

22. Gilberto Duavit & family – $127 million, 73 years old

23. Alfredo Ramos – $126 million, 64 years old

24. Jon Ramon Aboitiz & family – $125 million, 59 years old

25. Felipe Gozon & family – $110 million, 68 years old

26. David Consunji & family – $105 million, 87 years old

27. Rolando & Rosalinda Hortaleza – $90 million, 49/51 years old

28. Eugenio Lopez III & family – $85 million, 56 years old

29. Betty Ang – $80 million

30. Tomas Alcantara & family – $75 million, 62 years old

31. Lourdes Montinola & family $68 million, 80 years old

32. Salvador Zamora – $67 million, 62 years old

33. Philip Ang – $63 million, 67 years old

34. Wilfred Steven Uytengsu Sr. & family – $55 million, 81 years old

35. Enrique Aboitiz & family – $50 million, 86 years old

36. Frederick Dy – $49 million, 53 years old

37. Bienvenido R. Tantoco Sr. & family – $45 million, 87 years old

38. Jesus Tambunting – $40 million, 71 years old

39. Manuel Pangilinan – $39 million, 62 years old

40. Marixi Rufino-Prieto & family – $30 million, 68 years old

When do you think you’d be part of this list? ;)