10 FAMOUS ENTREPRENEURS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Henry Tan Chi Sieng Sy Sr.

Henry Sy Sr. became a famous entrepreneur for building Ben Chan
the SM empire, which started as a small shoe store in
Manila in 1958 and grew into the largest chain of malls in Ben Chan became famous for founding Bench, a popular
the Philippines. He expanded into banking by transforming fashion brand in the Philippines. He started in 1987 by
BDO (Banco de Oro) into the country’s biggest bank and selling t-shirts and basic clothing, then grew the business
ventured into real estate with projects like the Mall of Asia. into a major brand with affordable, stylish clothing.
Born in China and raised in poverty, he immigrated to the Bench expanded into fragrances, accessories, and cafés,
Philippines and worked tirelessly to achieve success, becoming a lifestyle brand. Ben’s vision and business
guided by his mantra, “Aim high, dream big.” His BSN
skills made him one of the Philippines' top 2A
entrepreneurs.
businesses created thousands of jobs, shaped the
Philippine economy, and made him the richest man in the
country for many years, leaving a legacy of hard work and
innovation.
John Robinson Lim Gokongwei Jr. Edgar Sia
John Gokongwei Jr. rose from selling peanuts in Cebu
after his family lost their wealth to becoming one of the Edgar Sia became famous for founding Mang Inasal, a
Philippines' top entrepreneurs. He founded Universal popular Filipino fast-food chain known for its grilled
Robina Corporation (URC), known for snacks like Jack 'n chicken. He started with a small budget in 2003, and the
Jill, and built JG Summit Holdings, with businesses in brand grew quickly. In 2010, it was acquired by Jollibee.
food, real estate, airlines (Cebu Pacific), and more. His Later, he co-founded DoubleDragon Properties, a
resilience, bold vision, and innovative thinking turned successful real estate company. Sia’s success is driven
adversity into a billion-dollar empire, inspiring by his innovation, risk-taking, and business acumen.
generations of entrepreneurs.

Andrew Lim Tan Manuel "Manny" Bamba Villar Jr.

Andrew Tan became famous for building successful Manny Villar became famous for his success in real estate
companies in real estate, food, and beverages. Starting and retail. He founded Vista Land, one of the biggest real
from a poor family in China, he worked hard in the estate developers in the Philippines, creating affordable
Philippines and founded Megaworld Corporation, known homes through brands like Camella Homes. He also
for creating townships like Eastwood City. He also grew expanded into retail with AllHome, a home improvement
Emperador Inc. into the world’s largest brandy producer store, and All Day Marts, a convenience store. Additionally,
and helped McDonald’s Philippines succeed. His hard he developed Vista Malls, a chain of shopping centers. His
work and vision made him one of the wealthiest and ability to grow businesses in real estate and retail made
most respected entrepreneurs in the country. him one of the Philippines’ wealthiest entrepreneurs.

Dennis Uy Ramon Ang

Dennis Uy became famous for building successful Ramon Ang became famous in San Miguel Corporation
businesses in energy, telecommunications, and real (SMC) by expanding the company into industries like
estate. He started Phoenix Petroleum, which grew into energy, aviation, petroleum, and infrastructure. He
the Philippines' biggest independent oil company. He helped make Petron the leading oil company in the
also helped launch Dito Telecommunity, a new telecom Philippines and modernized Philippine Airlines. His smart
company, and expanded into real estate through Udenna investments in toll roads, airports, and power plants
Corporation. Known for his bold growth strategies, helped grow SMC into a major player in the economy,
Dennis Uy became one of the country's top making him one of the country’s top entrepreneurs.
entrepreneurs, making a big impact on the economy.

Maria Socorro Cancio Ramos Enrique Razon Jr.

Socorro Ramos became famous as the co-founder of
Enrique Razon Jr. became famous for leading
National Book Store, the largest bookstore chain in the
International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), a
Philippines. She and her husband, Jose Ramos, started
global company that operates ports. He grew ICTSI from
the business in 1942 with a small store in Manila. Through
a small business to a major player in the logistics
hard work and dedication, they grew National Book Store
industry, with terminals worldwide. He also invested in
into a well-known brand with branches all over the
real estate and energy. Known for his strategic vision,
country, offering books, school supplies, and more. Her
Razon turned ICTSI into a global success, making him one
success story is one of resilience, passion, and
of the Philippines' wealthiest entrepreneurs.
determination.

MACALINAO,CHERRY NICOLE B.
BSN - 2B
10 FAMOUS ENTREPRENEURS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Ben Chan
Henry Tan Chi Sieng Sy Sr.
Business: SM Investments Business: Bench Clothing
Corporation, SM Retail, SM Networth: $2-5M
Supermalls, Banco de Oro
(BDO)
Networth: $13.7B

Edgar Sia
John Gokong-Wei, Jr. Business: Founder and former owner
Business: Founder of JG Summit of Mang Inasal
Holdings, Inc Networth: $330M
Networth: $5.8B

Andrew Tan
Manny Villar
Business: Alliance Global Group Inc. Business: Golden Bria Holdings, Vista
(Megaworld corporation, Emperador Malls, AllHome, All Day Marts
Distillers, etc.) Networth: $9.3B
Networth: $2.4B

Dennis Uy Ramon Ang

Business: Udenna Business: San Miguel Corporation
Corporation, Phoenix (SMC)
Petroleum, Chelsea Logistics Networth: $3.3B - $3.4B
Networth: $650M

Soccoro Ramos Enrique Razon, Jr.

Business: National Book Store Business: International Container
Networth: $3.1B Terminal Services, Inc
Networth: $7.8B

MACALINAO, CHERRY NICOLE B.

BSN 2B - ENTREPRENEURIAL MANAGEMENT