1. Henry Sy, Sr.

SM Group of Companies

Hes the retail giant behind the SM Group of Companies and is also among Forbes.coms billionaire list with American bigwigs like publishing tycoon William Hearst III, hotelier Richard Mariott, and media mogul Oprah Winfrey. The richest man in the country credits his success to hard work, tenacity, frugality, self-discipline, Confucian values, and an undying thirst for learning," according to Entrepreneur. I dont give up on things easily, the 85-year-old says. I look for solutions to problems. I want to make things happen. Early life Henry Sy was born to a poor family in Xiamen, China on December 25,1924. He is the son of Henry H. Sy. He immigrated to the Philippines and got his start by selling rejected and overrun shoes from Tondo. He completed his secondary education in a school now known as Chiang Kai Shek College and earned his Associate of Arts degree in Commercial Studies at Far Eastern University in 1950. Foray into business In 1958, Sy established a small shoe store in Quiapo, Manila that marked the establishment of SM Prime Holdings. In November 1972, the small shoe store became SM Quiapo, SM's first standalone department store. On December 25, 1985, he established his first SM Supermall, SM City North EDSA. He is the Philippines' richest man, gaining $5 billion in 2010, amid the global financial crisis. The huge gain was due to his holding company, SM Investments Corporation, which has interests in Banco de Oro, inter alia. Forbes magazine's 2008 list of 40 wealthiest Filipinos, revealed the Sy family's net worth was $6.2 billion. Earlier, he was the second wealthiest individual in the Philippines, next to Bill Gates, and (as of 2010) 201st in the world. Sy is considered a tai-pan.

2. Lucio Tan Chinese businessman

For many years, Lucio Tans many business endeavors has made him the second-biggest taxpayer in the country. Tan built multiple empires in a number of industries-airline, banking, tobacco, liquor, and real estate-but surprisingly, the Chinese businessman's lifelong dream was to be a scientist. "I was part of a poor immigrant family, so I had to work harder than everyone, Tan tells Entrepreneur. Perhaps I was really destined to be an entrepreneur, although up to now, my childhood dream of studying science continues to fascinate me to no end." Background He was a known ally of former President Ferdinand Marcos. Tan owns Asia Brewery, the second largest brewery in the Philippines, Tanduay Holdings, one of the world's largest rum makers, Fortune Tobacco, the largest tobacco company in the country - just some of the 300 companies that Tan controls. Though a non-smoker, he started a cigarette company called Fortune Tobacco in 1966. This venture, which was housed in a small hut in Marikina, proved to be the enterprise that would catapult Mr. Tan to success. From this flagship company emerged numerous successful ventures in agribusiness; banking, finance and securities; brewery; chemicals; distillery and alcohol; education; food; hotel; manufacturing; property development; steel fabrication and construction; and tourism and travel services. In 1970, Tan brought to the country an advanced hog-raising facility from Taiwan and set up Foremost Farms in Tanay, Rizal. The farm now operates on a 146-hectare facility and has an average daily production of 50 metric tons of hogs for the domestic market making it one of the largest hog farms in Southeast Asia. In 1977, Tan acquired from the Philippine government the defunct General Bank and Trust Company, which he renamed Allied Bank. In 1978, Tan ventured into building and construction when he bought Riverside Steel Inc., which was renamed Grandspan Development Corporation. To date, Grandspan has been involved in the construction of power plants, high rise buildings, bridges, airport terminal and hangars, and other structures. In 1982, after then President Ferdinand Marcos lifted the ban on the establishment of new beer companies, Tan established Asia Brewery, the second largest brewery in the country, with a 10% share of the Philippine market. In 1985, Tan bought Century Park Hotel.

Tan established the Tan Yan Kee Foundation in 1986 in honor of the late Tan family patriarch. In 1988, the Lucio Tan Group of Companies acquired Tanduay Distillery, the oldest maker of rum, from the Elizalde Family. Tan and his group launched a plant modernization and expansion program that increased Tanduay's production by almost 50 times. Tan later bought the University of the East in 1990, which he considers his biggest feat in promoting education in the country. In 1993, the country's national flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, joined the list of companies that Lucio Tan controls and manages, and has now turned over the business to Lia Tan. In 1995, he founded yet another company in the aviation industry. The Macro Asia Corporation was envisioned to be the leading provider of aviation and logistics services. This vision has become a reality as Macro Asia Corporation is now the provider of technical ground handling, engineering and maintenance services, and catering services to the majority of international airlines. In 2000, Tan became the primary stockholder of Philippine National Bank. The merging of PNB and Allied Bank is expected to be completed before the end of this year. Products

3. John Gokongwei, Jr. Cebu Pacific

John Gokongwei's rags-to-riches story is one of the most inspiring tales in the local business scene. His humble beginnings more than 60 years ago include selling soap on his bike and peddling goods in Cebu. Today, hes the chairman and founder of JG Summit Holdings, one of the biggest conglomerates in the country. You have to save money instead of spending all of it, Gokongwei tells Entrepreneur. Look for areas [where] you can compete in. Work damn hard. Most importantly, you have to love it." Profile He is the chairman of JG Summit Holdings, one of largest conglomerates in the Philippines. In 2005, his company spent $700 million of internally generated funds which was used to buy new aircraft for his airline, Cebu Pacific Air. From 2003 up to the present his telecom company Digital Telecommunications Philippines spent nearly $800 million for its mobile carrier, Sun Cellular which is the 3rd largest mobile operator in the Philippines as of 2008. He attempted a $1 billion takeover of UIC, a property giant from Singapore of which he owned in excess of 30%. UIC controls Singapore Land, one of the biggest property landlord in Singapore. Gokongwei also owns Universal Robina Corporation, one of the largest manufacturer of snacks in the Philippines. He also controls Robinsons Land one of the biggest property developers in the Philippines which also operates a chain of malls. He was born into a wealthy Cebu-based family, originally from China's Fujian province. The family fortune was lost when his affluent father died. He started his business career during World War II, buying and selling rice, clothing and scrap metal. He is married, and has six children. His only son, Lance Gokongwei, is now in charge of the Gokongwei Empire, serving as president and COO while his father serves as Chairman Emeritus. On August 29, 2007, at the Ateneo de Manila University, Gokongweis biography, John L. Gokongwei Jr.: The Path of Entrepreneurship by the Universitys Dr. Marites A. Khanser, was launched, and it narrated the riches-to-rags-to-riches story of the tai-pan. Gokongwei stated that entrepreneurship is a way out of poverty. Khanser's book also enumerated the Nine Rules of business success that Gokongwei followed since he was still a young businessman.

In 2002 Gokongwei donated P200-million to the undergraduate school of management. He also gave donations to University of San Carlos, Xavier School, De La Salle University, Sacred Heart School and Immaculate Conception Academy. On February, 2008, Forbes Asia magazines first Heroes of Philanthropy list included 4 Filipinos Jaime Zobel de Ayala, John Gokongwei, Ramn del Rosario Jr., and scar Lpez.The list is composed of 4 philanthropists each from 13 selected countries and territories in Asia.

4. Andrew Tan Megaworld Corp.

Tan has yet to open the grocery store he dreamed of as a kid, but as the CEO of real estate giant Megaworld, he can "build one every week" if he wants to, says Entrepreneur. Tan's Megaworld Properties and Holdings is currently estimated at P30 billion, and its affiliate-Empire East Landholdings-is considered one of the leaders in the property sector. His first business venture, the Consolidated Distillers of the Far East, is the third biggest distillery in Manila. "Most entrepreneurs are good salesmen, says this accounting grad who graduated magna cumlaude. But a good salesman, who is also good at numbers could also become a good entrepreneur." Companies Megaworld Corporation - A real estate corporation engaged in developing condominiums. It was dubbed by Finance Asia, a business tabloid, as the "best managed company" and the "best in corporate governance" in the Philippines for 2006. Emperador Distillers Incorporation - Best known for its Emperador Brandy which became the world's best-selling brandy in 2006. What made it successful was how it was promoted. Instead of following other liquor advertisements that feature attractive women and other dainty images, the ads of Emperador Brandy emphasize successes in life and other moral values. Golden Arches Development Corporation - Possesses a franchise of McDonald's.

5. Tony Tan Caktiong Jollibee Food Corp.

The chairman and CEO of Jollibee Food Corporation tells Entrepreneur that the country's largest fast food chain started with just two ice cream parlors in 1975. Today, the Jollibee group has grown to include Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, and Delifrance (the sale of which will be completed within the year), and has expanded abroad. Soon, the group will also own 70 percent of Mang Inasal. Caktiong says, "The secret of Jollibee's success is sharing. We share our success with people; we give good compensation; we share any honor that comes our way." Background Tan founded the fast food chain Jollibee in 1978, after having started it as an ice cream parlor in 1975. Jollibee became a household name in the Philippines even though it went head to head against fast food giant McDonald's. Through expansion and acquisitions of Greenwich Pizza Corp. in 1994 enabling it to penetrate the pizza-pasta segment. From a 50-branch operation, Greenwich has established a strong presence in the food service industry. In early 2006, Jollibee Foods Corp. bought out the remaining shares of its partners in Greenwich Pizza Corp., equivalent to a 20% stake, for P384 million in cash., Chowking in 2000 and Hongzhuangyuan in 2007, he has turned it into one of the largest fast-food chains in the world. As of August 2008, Tan's Jollibee has a total of 1,480 stores worldwide including Jollibee, Red Ribbon, Chowking, Greenwich, Manong Pepe's, Mang Inasal and Tita Frita's Uling Uling.

6. Jose Concepcion, Jr. RFM Corp.

Concepcion is the chairman of RFM Corp., one of the leading food and beverage conglomerates in the Philippines. Established in 1958 as the Republic Flour Mills, the company has delved into agriculture, poultry, livestock, soft drinks, ice cream, fruit juice, and noodle manufacturing, among other things. Concepcion is the father of eight entrepreneurs, all of which were groomed by him. In his Entrepreneur interview, the food and beverage tycoon emphasizes the need to properly train the young so they develop the leadership skills necessary to run a business. You don't wait until you die before turning over the reigns," he says. Background Mr. Jose S. Concepcion, Jr. serves as the Chairman of Swift Foods Inc. and served as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Concepcion served as Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry. He served as a delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention. He has been the Chairman of RFM Corp. since April 3, 1997 and serves as Chairman of the Board at RFM Foundation Incorporated. He serves as the Founding Chairman of the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections, Special Resource Person of UCPB CI F Finance Development. He served as Co-Chairman of Bishops-Businessmen's Conference from 1991 to 1998. He serves as a Trustrees of CARITAS. He serves as Chairman of Asean-Business Advisory Council Philippines, and East-Asia Business Council - Philippines. He serves as a Director of RFM Corp. and Swift Foods Inc. He served as a Director of Philippine National Oil Company. He was a member of the Central Bank Monetary Board from 1986 to 1991. He has an Associate's degree in Business Administration from De La Salle University and a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture from Araneta University.

7. Soccoro Ramos National Bookstore

Even in her late 80s, the woman behind the countrys oldest and largest bookstore chain is still working, and refuses to retire anytime soon. Socorro Ramos opened the first National Bookstore in Escolta with her husband more than 60 years ago, and has established 70 more locations and employed 2,5000 employees since then. To date, Nanay Coring, as Ramos is otherwise known, has several accolades in her name: the Agora Award for Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship in 1991, Department of Trade and Industrys Outstanding Filipino Retailer Award in 2005, and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Philippines in 2005. All my life Ive never had a vacation, but Im not complaining, Ramos says. Its fun! Background The National Bookstore was founded by the late Jos Ramos along with his wife Socorro Cancio-Ramos, the company has evolved from a small stall in Escolta that sold supplies, GI novels, and school textbooks. When World War II broke out, strict book censorship forced them to shift into selling soaps, candies, and slippers. They bought their merchandise from wholesalers and peddled them to smaller retailers. The Escolta area was razed to the ground during the 1945 Battle of Manila, and the Ramoses rebuilt their business by initially erecting a barong-barong (makeshift stall) at the corner of Soler and Avenida Rizal. In time to catch the post-war boom they returned to selling textbooks, notebooks, pad paper, and pencils, and sales were good at the time as there were few stores that sold school supplies and books. National Book Store was strategically opened timed to welcome school year 1946-1947. After a typhoon destroyed the store and damaged all the merchandise in 1948, the Ramos family decided to rebuild again, sleeping for only three hours a day after work. They eventually constructed a two-story building with a mezzanine, which was to become their retail store for many years.

8. Ben Chan Bench

Retail mogul Ben Chan founded Bench with the intention of improving the quality of Manilas retail scene. Chan credits the clothing lines success to a number of things: being picky about celebrity endorsers, having an adventurous attitude in advertising, and making a lot of mistakes along the way. Sometimes its just a matter of the market not being ready, Chan tells Entrepreneur. Other times we just didnt get it right. I look at these trials as lab work: you cant expect to get the perfect formula on the first try, but then youre also smarter about what doesnt work and you know better the next time. Background He is the son of Chan Lib, a Chinese immigrant. Together with his wife See Ying, Chan Lib established Liwayway Marketing Company, which soon became the countrys leading starch supplier due to its famous flagship product Liwayway Gawgaw. It primarily specialized in repacking of flour and coffee products. In 1966, the business was converted into a corporation, as it expanded into the distribution of pomade, candles, candies and sauces. By 1974, under the second generation management headed by Ben Chans brother Manuel Chan, LMC diversified into the manufacturing of snack foods such as Oishi Prawn Crackers and Kirei Yummy Flakes. Bens brother Carlos Chan founded Liwayway (China) Company, Limited which has become a salty snack powerhouse in mainland China. In 1994 Bench opened its first fashion store outside the Philipines in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, soon followed by its first in Shanghai, China. A store soon followed the following year in Kuwait. In 1997 Bench pioneered the first underwear show in the Philippines. In 2002 the show would set a record by attracting 25,000 to its Underwear Show. By 2007, on its 20th anniversary, Bench had established stores in Eaglerock, Los Angeles, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Guangzhou, Xian, and Dubai, on its road to global retailing. China remains its primary focus with more than 27 company stores and 19 franchises.

9. George Yang McDonalds (franchise)

You have to think thrice before going into this business, master McDonalds franchisee George Yang tells Entrepreneur. It took him five years to convince the All-American hamburger chain to do business in Manila, and competition was fierce when he finally opened the first McDonalds branch in 1981. After all, he had to introduce the global brand to a local market that already had a long-standing favorite fast food chain. Yang says it wasnt easy, but with the help of his son, Golden Arches president and CEO Kenneth Yang, the Filipino-Chinese entrepreneur says the key to his success was adapting to the local culture. Background Its been 31 years since Yang launched the fast-food phenomenon in a joint venture with the US-based McDonalds Corporation. Since 2005, the business has become a fully-owned Filipino enterprise under the Golden Arches Development Corporation (GADC) of which he is the chairman. Although Yang invited Andrew Tan of Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) and Megaworld to buy out the American owners, he underscores that his family maintains 51 percent ownership. He dispels the misconception that he sold his shares and that AGI owns McDonalds. We have more control now than ever before. The franchise was given to me and my immediate family members. If Im not around anymore, it will be handled by my children, says Yang.

10.

Rajo Laurel House of Laurel

World-renowned fashion designer Rajo Laurel says his love affair with fashion started when he was 11. I often daydreamed about beautiful women drifting by, dressed in elegant gowns made from rich fabrics... these daydreams would end up in notebooks, Laurel tells Entrepreneur. Rajo Laurel Enterprises has built multiple brands and crafted clothing lines to dress the countrys elite, and has landed him the cover of US fashion magazine Womens Wear Daily for his cobweb dress. To date, his muses include some of the most prominent local personalities, including former presidents Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Background Rajo Laurel attended De La Salle Santiago Zobel School in Muntinlupa City. He states that a major early fashion influence was designer Louie Mamengo, whom he apprenticed with while studying at De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde, at the start of his career. He credits Mamengo with being his first design mentor. In 2000, Rajo Laurel and his sister Venisse Laurel-Hermano co-founded House of Laurel, a boutique fashion house in Makati City. "I see it as a specialty boutique because we offer limited pieces per style," Laurel said. The boutique offers both couture as well as ready-to-wear apparel. "Made-to-order couture" is what Laurel prefers to call his couture line. Each piece is referred to as a "mission" dress that is designed to create a lasting impression, although is worn probably once or twice in a lifetime. "Designer Ready-to-Wear" is how he describes his off-the-rack line.