Meet the Philippines' 15 richest billionaires, and a few big surprises

Manila: The Filipino billionaire club just got a little cozier.

Fifteen tycoons made it to Forbes' 2025 World’s Richest List, based on their estimated shares of stock in leading local conglomerates, whose presence is increasing globally.

The list is led (once again) by property king Manuel Villar, a former fish monger, who now sits on a staggering $17.2 billion fortune. 

The latest Forbes list shows that while most of the usual suspects are back, the list is one name shorter than last year’s, when 16 local billionaires cracked the billion-dollar mark.

This year’s fresh face in the local billionaire squad?

Eusebio Tanco, thanks to the skyrocketing valuation of online gaming giant DigiPlus Interactive Corp. With a net worth of $1.2 billion, Tanco sneaks into the rankings, proving that digital gaming can be a goldmine.

Topping the list once again is Manuel Villar, the “brown taipan”, whose Golden MV Holdings Inc. raked in a whopping  Php1 trillion in net profits (or thereabouts) in 2024 — the reportedly the biggest in Philippine history. 

Meanwhile, port-utilities-hotels magnate Enrique Razon holds onto second place with $10.9 billion, followed by San Miguel Corp boss Ramon Ang with $3.7 billion.

The late Henry Sy Sr.’s legacy remains unshaken, as all six of his children secured their spots individually, keeping the Sy empire firmly on the billionaire map.

Their combined wealth? Over $12 billion — enough to buy every mall you’ve ever been to (probably).

Their wealth comes from SM Investments, which has interests in banking, property, and retail as well as an upcoming expansion in geothermal energy.

#1. Manuel Villar – $17.2 billion
#2. Enrique Razon Jr. – $10.9 billion
#3. Ramon Ang – $3.7 billion
#4. Lucio Tan – $3 billion
#5. Henry Sy Jr. – $2.3 billion
#6. Hans Sy – $2.2 billion
#7. Herbert Sy – $2.1 billion
#8. Harley Sy – $1.9 billion
#9. Teresita Sy-Coson – $1.9 billion
#10. Elizabeth Sy – $1.7 billion
#11. Andrew Tan – $1.6 billion
#12. Lucio Co – $1.4 billion
#13. Susan Co – $1.3 billion
#14. Tony Tan Caktiong – $1.3 billion
#15. Eusebio Tanco – $1.2 billion

Businessman Eusebio Tanco, chairman of DigiPlus Interactive Corp., is the latest entrant to the Top 15, after his fortune surged to $1.2 billion, fuelled by the booming online gaming industry.

The company, formerly known as Leisure & Resorts World Corp., reported a three-fold increase in annual profits, pushing its valuation higher and propelling Tanco into billionaire status.

A veteran investor and entrepreneur, Tanco has diverse business interests spanning education, insurance, and maritime services. However, it was DigiPlus' digital gaming expansion that significantly boosted his wealth.

Meanwhile, on the world leaderboard, Elon Musk has reclaimed his throne, overtaking French luxury king Bernard Arnault with a whopping $342 billion.

Thanks to xAI, SpaceX, and Tesla’s wild ride, Musk’s fortune surged 75%—enough to fund a fleet of Mars-bound spaceships (or, you know, just buy another social media company).

With a record-breaking 3,028 billionaires worth $16.1 trillion combined, 2025 is proving to be another big year for the ultra-rich.

Who’s next to join the ranks? Only time (and stock prices) will tell.