Perez Hilton and other bloggers top Forbes’ Top 25 Web Celebs list
December 23, 2007
Forbes Magazine recently released its list of Top 25 web celebrities, compiling the most popular and/or influential online personalities today.
The magazine defined “Web Celeb” as a person famous primarily for creating or appearing in internet-based content and for being highly recognizable to a Web-based audience. The shortlisted personalities were then ranked according to their web references in Google, Alexa traffic and Technorati rank of their website, and TV, radio, and other press mentions.
Entertainment gossip blogger Perez Hilton topped the list followed by a string of bloggers and blog owners.
Only goes to show that, on the internet, just about anyone can be a star.
Wonder when a Filipino can be included on the list? Can YouTube sensation Charice Pempengco manage to grab a slot next year? We hope! But first, she’ll have to create a website or YouTube channel first then work her way towards becoming popular worldwide in order to be part of the list.
The Web Celeb 25
#1. Perez Hilton (Mario Lavandeira)
Age: 29
What: Celebrity gossip blogger (www.perezhilton.com)
Controversial gossip blogger Perez Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, styles himself as “The Queen of Mean” and has earned a rabid following, thanks to his sense of humor, snarky voice and irreverent habits — like doodling rude captions on paparazzi photos. His blog is hugely popular and Perez is increasingly becoming a TV star, with gigs including guest-hosting The View, appearing as a contestant on MTV’s Celebrity Rap Superstar and hosting his own series of specials, What Perez Sez, on VH1.
The 40 richest Filipinos in 2007
October 21, 2007
Forbes Magazine released last week its list of “The Philippines’ 40 Richest.”
The top 40 are worth a combined $17 billion, a billion dollars more than last year. For the first time in a decade, a Filipino broke into the billionaire ranks. The son of a poor immigrant factory worker, Andrew Tan restructured his holding company, Alliance Global, and as a result, his net worth jumped to $1.1 billion from $480 million last year.
Manuel Villar, the Philippine senate president, is the year’s biggest gainer. From $110 million last year, his net worth shoot up 755% to $940 million after the public offering of his company Vista Land & Lifescapes.
Seven other tycoons including Tony Tan Caktiong and Enrique Razon Jr. saw their fortunes jump by at least $100 million. Fifteen others are wealthier than last year.
A glimpse of the four (4) billionaire Filipinos:
1. Jaime Zobel de Ayala & family
Networth: $2 billion
Age: 73
Marital Status: Married, 7 children
Patriarch of country’s largest conglomerate, Ayala Corp. Family referred to as the Filipino royal family. Stepped down as chairman last year. Personally holds no shares; wealth now in children’s hands. Eldest son, Jaime II, Ayala’s chairman, chief executive.
2. Henry Sy & family
Networth: $1.7 billion
Age: 82
Marital Status: Married, 6 children
Completed merger of his Banco de Oro with competitor Equitable PCI in May, forming nation’s second-largest bank. His SM Prime Holdings is nation’s largest shopping mall developer. Shares fortune, which includes stakes in a dozen companies, with his children.
3. Lucio Tan & family
Networth: $1.6 billion
Age: 73
Marital Status: Married, 6 children
Former chemical engineer from China mopped floors to pay for school. With family, owns Fortune Tobacco, nation’s largest cigarette maker; Philippines Airlines, which just emerged from 9 years in receivership. Being sued on claims that much of his wealth belongs to late president Ferdinand Marcos’ estate.
4. Andrew Tan
Networth: $1.1 billion
Age: 55
Marital Status: Married, 4 children
Big boost to fortune from restructuring holding company Alliance Global; shares of his property company, Megaworld, also higher. Likes to eat breakfast at McDonald’s (his group owns stake in country’s franchise) and sip his Emperador brandy, world’s largest seller by volume. Son of factory worker walked to college campus — couldn’t afford bus fare.
Manuel Villar, George Ty, Andrew Gotianun, Enrique Razon, Tony Tan Caktiong, and Oscar Lopez complete the rest of the 10 Richest Filipinos.
Their photos and profiles after the jump.
