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AMONG 50 POWERFUL WOMEN IN ASIA

Forbes honors Teresita Sy, Robina Gokongwei-Pe as power businesswomen


Filipina business tycoon Robina Gokongwei-Pe, the daughter of taipan Jon Gokongwei Jr., was cited by Forbes magazine as one of the 50 powerful businesswomen in Asia.

"Forbes today recognizes 50 powerful businesswomen in Asia who are shaking things up across diverse industries in its fifth annual Asia’s Power Businesswomen list," the magazine said in a statement on Thursday.

Pe, the president and COO of Robinsons Retail Holdings, debuted on Forbes Asia’s fifth annual Power Businesswomen List, landing on the 17th spot.

At 54, she heads the giant retailer which counts among its brands Robinsons Department Store, Robinsons Supermarket, Handyman, True Value, Robinsons Specialty Stores, Robinsons Appliances, Toys R Us and Saizen by Daiso Japan.

Forty-first on the list is SM Investments Corporation Vice Chairperson Teresita Sy, who has already been cited by Forbes thrice in the past.

The 65-year-old Sy pushed SMIC to become the largest listed company on the Philippine Stock Exchange by market capital. She is also the chairperson of Banco de Oro Universal Bank.

Her father, Henry Sy Sr., is the Philippines' richest man, according to an earlier announcement by Forbes.

China and Hong Kong dominated this year's batch of powerful women, with 14 power businesswomen each . India followed with eight.

"The list acknowledges the inroads women are making in the business world. To qualify, candidates have to be active in the upper echelons of business in Asia, wield significant power and have access to robust financial resources," Forbes said.

However, Forbes contributor Mary E. Scott noted that despite these women's success, gender inqeuality still persists in the industry.

"Grant Thornton’s Women in Business report, released in March, says the global proportion of senior business roles held by women stands at 24 percent, while a third of businesses have no women in senior management," Scott said.

The Philippines has one of  the highest proportions of women in senior jobs, with 39 percent holding a commanding position, she added.

Forty-first on the list is SM Investments Corporation Vice Chairperson Teresita Sy, who has already been cited by Forbes as a power businesswoman in the past – 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

China and Hong Kong dominated this year's batch of powerful women, with 14 businesswomen from each country. India followed with eight.

"The list acknowledges the inroads women are making in the business world. To qualify, candidates have to be active in the upper echelons of business in Asia, wield significant power and have access to robust financial resources," Forbes said.  – Jessica Bartolome/VDS, GMA News