Filipino billionaires in 2009

Who are the richest Filipinos? How many Filipino billionaires are there? Among the three — Henry Sy, Lucio Tan and Jaime Zobel de Ayala — who is currently the richest?

If you know the answers to these questions, then you are most likely following the list of the world’s richest.

If you know nothing, don’t worry. Keep reading.

Filipino Billionaires of 2009

According to Forbes Magazine’s list of The World’s Billionaires released in March 2009, there are two Filipinos on the list.

Who are they? They are Henry Sy of the SM Malls and Lucio Tan of Philippine Airlines. But these two are not considered one of the “world’s richest rich” yet. Sy is ranked “only” No. 234 while Tan is No. 522 in a listing of 701 world billionaires.

More info about the two Filipino billionaires below.

Ranked #234. Henry Sy & family

Networth: $2.7 billion
Fortune: self made
Source: malls
Age: 84
Country Of Citizenship: Philippines
Residence: Manila
Industry: Diversified
Education: NA
Marital Status: married, 6 children

The richest Filipino arrived in the Philippines at age 13 from China to help out at father’s small convenience store.

Saved to start a small shoe store in Manila and built it into one of the country’s largest retailers. Now controls the Philippines’ largest shopping mall developer, SM Prime Holdings, which opened its 31st mall last year, run by son Hans Sy; country’s largest bank, Banco de Oro Unibank, run by daughter Teresita Sy-Coson. Shares fortune, which includes stakes in a dozen companies with wife and children.

Last year bought a 60% stake in Manila’s National University for an undisclosed sum. In December, family’s SM Investment Corp. announced plans to start building casinos in Manila.

Ranked #522. Lucio Tan & family

Networth: $1.4 billion
Fortune: self made
Source: diversified
Age: 74
Country Of Citizenship: Philippines
Residence: Manila
Industry: Diversified
Education: Bachelor of Arts / Science, Far Eastern University
Marital Status: married, 6 children

Former chemical engineer from China mopped floors to pay for school. Now owns the Philippines’ largest cigarette maker, Fortune Tobacco; Philippine Airlines; Asia Brewery; mining operations; banks; property developments in Hong Kong.

Cigarettes and alcohol continue to do well during the downturn, but his property company, Eton, has been hit by lower property values and rents in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia.

Being prosecuted by the Presidential Commission on Good Governance, which claims that much of Tan’s wealth belonged to former president Ferdinand Marcos and should be returned to the country.

Other lists of rich people:

• Top 10 Richest People in the World 2008
• Top 40 Richest Filipinos in 2008
• Top 10 Youngest Billionaires of 2008