5 Filipina Trailblazers Shine on Forbes' 50 Over 50: Asia 2024
Forbes' third annual 50 Over 50: Asia list is a celebration of women who are redefining the narrative of age and accomplishment. Among the illustrious names on this list are five Filipinas who have made significant impacts in their respective fields. Each of these women has not only excelled in their careers but also serves as an inspiration for future generations, proving that success knows no age limit.
Anna Ma. Margarita Dy
Ayala Land's First Female Leader
For the first time in over three decades, Ayala Land Inc., a titan in the Philippine real estate sector, broke new ground by appointing a female executive to its highest leadership role. Anna Ma. Margarita "Meean" Dy took over the helm of ALI in October 2023, succeeding Bernard “Bobby” Vincent Dy upon his retirement.
ALI, which positions itself as one of the Philippines' most extensive and varied property conglomerates, boasts ownership of 49 estates and maintains a presence in 57 growth centers throughout the country. Included in its portfolio are Ayala Land Premier, Alveo Land Corporation, Avida Land Corporation, Amaia Land Corporation, and BellaVita.
Prior to assuming the role of President-CEO, Dy was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President of ALI at the start of 2023, and subsequently rose to the role of Chief Operating Officer a few months later.
According to Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, the Chairman of ALI, Dy has held key leadership roles within the Strategic Landbank Management Group and was instrumental in launching major projects like BGC, Nuvali, Vertis, and Arca South. Additionally, Dy also took on leadership positions in the Residential Business Group, as well as the Malls, Offices, and the Hotels and Resorts Group. She has served on ALI's management committee since 2008.
Prior to her tenure at ALI, Dy held the position of vice president at the Lopez family's Benpres Holdings Corporation.
Dy graduated with magna cum laude distinction from Ateneo De Manila University's Economics Honors Program in 1990. She earned a Master's degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1991 and went on to obtain an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration in 1996.
Dolly de Leon
Her Meteoric Rise in Global Cinema
Dolly de Leon's rise to international prominence is a landmark achievement for the Philippines within the global entertainment arena. Her portrayal of Abigail, a janitor who emerges as a pivotal figure in Ruben Östlund's acclaimed satire Triangle of Sadness, garnered her the 2022 Best Supporting Performance award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. This recognition paved the way for her groundbreaking nominations at the 80th Golden Globe Awards and at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) the following year.
These recent accomplishments are the culmination of years of diligent preparation. De Leon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts degree from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, which led to opportunities to perform in more than 30 stage productions and earning numerous accolades for her theatrical work.
Before achieving significant career milestones, the single mother of four balanced various odd jobs with her acting career to support her family. De Leon's remarkable acting ability led her to collaborations with prominent Filipino directors Lav Diaz in Historya ni Ha and Erik Matti in the HBO anthology series Folklore. Her portrayal of Elsa in Raymund Ribay Gutierrez's Verdict won her the prestigious FAMAS award for Best Supporting Actress in 2019. Continuing her streak of excellence, her talent was celebrated once again at Cinemalaya 2023, where she clinched the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in Iti Mapukpukaw.
De Leon recently took on roles in two American productions, Between The Temples and Ghostlight, both of which debuted at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. She has also started filming the American TV series Nine Perfect Strangers season 2, headlined by the Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman.
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Puregold's Susan Co
Leading a Retail Revolution
From its humble beginnings of a single store launched in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, supermarket chain Puregold has flourished into a retail empire with over 300 stores across the nation. Behind its success is the husband-and-wife tandem of Lucio and Susan Co.
Lucio holds the position of chairman and Susan that of vice-chair. It was in 2020 when the couple debuted on the Forbes’ Philippines 50 Richest list, after their net worth soared to an impressive $1.7 billion, or approximately P82.4 billion. This significant financial feat has propelled them into the top 10 richest billionaires in the Philippines for the first time, a testament to their decades of hard work. As of the 2023 list, they have attained the 12th position, with a combined net worth of $2.3 billion.
Puregold's hypermarket model and the joint business acumen of Lucio and Susan Co played a pivotal role in the business' growth. Moving beyond just offering essential goods, they expanded their support to local small-scale sari-sari store proprietors via the Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP) program.
The company has managed to weather through the pandemic as it posted P3.4 billion in net income for the first half of 2020, a 20.1 percent growth from its income in the same period in 2019.
Puregold acquired 14 branches of rival supermarket Divimart, with plans to snap up more of its competitor's locations, according to Forbes.
Co also serves as the vice-chair of Cosco Capital, a retail-focused holding company with investments spanning commercial real estate and liquor distribution. She also sits on the board of a multitude of other companies.
Miriam Coronel-Ferrer
Advancing Women in Peacebuilding
The peace negotiator received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in November 2023 for her contributions to conflict resolution and promoting gender inclusivity. The RMAF board of trustees acknowledged her unwavering belief in non-violent peacebuilding, her sharp intellect and bravery in tackling challenges, and her commitment to empowering women to create a just and peaceful world.
Ferrer's fervent involvement in political activism began in the late 1970s as a student, where she was a prominent figure in the resistance against martial law.
Motivated by the 1986 People Power Revolution and the ongoing armed conflicts that ensued, Ferrer, along with other women peacebuilders, spearheaded the development of the Philippines' first National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. This plan, which aligns with the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, was adopted by the government in 2010, marking the nation's commitment to these critical peace and security principles.
She was also instrumental in the formation of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which concluded the 17-year negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Reflecting on this significant achievement with reserved humility, Ferrer observed: “There is no perfect agreement, but we make it more imperfect by leaving women out of the process.”
In 2020, Ferrer initiated the Southeast Asian Women Peace Mediators, emphasizing that greater female involvement in peace discussions would profoundly impact their own lives.
Esther Go
Health Tech Visionary
As the President and CEO of MediLink Network, Inc., Esther Go has been a driving force behind the company's mission to revolutionize the health care in the Philippines. Under her leadership, MediLink has flourished into a pivotal player within the industry, forging connections between over 200,000 doctors and more than two million patients across the archipelago.
Go's journey in the health-tech world began with her foundational years spent at her family's business, Equitable Computer Services. It was here that she honed her technical skills, learning to code and assemble hardware, a unique childhood experience that planted the seeds of a lifelong affinity for technology.
Go's academic journey led her to esteemed institutions where she honed her expertise. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and Economics from Smith College and later earned her MBA from the prestigious Harvard Business School, joining the ranks of its distinguished alumni.
She has navigated through various roles and explored multiple sectors and countries. Her career includes stints in non-governmental organizations, consulting, health care, and banking. Notably, she served as a Vice President for CitiGroup in New York, a position she held until her return to the Philippines in 2005.
Upon her return, Go embraced the challenge of leading MediLink Network, Inc. The company's innovative technology services have been instrumental in mediating trusted transactions within the health care ecosystem, encompassing patients, health care providers, and insurers.
In addition to her role at Medilink, Go holds directorships at various other Philippine corporations such as Equicom Health Services, Equicom Savings Bank, Security Bank, and more.
Go's leadership and entrepreneurial spirit have not gone unrecognized. She was the recipient of the 2019 Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines Woman Entrepreneur Award, a nod to her impact and accomplishments in the business landscape.
