Five Filipinas featured on Forbes' '50 Over 50: Asia' 2024 list

Five Filipinas were included in Forbes' prestigious "50 Over 50: Asia" 2024 list, which highlights the achievements of women chief executive officers (CEOs), founders, and innovators across the Asia-Pacific region who exert influence in their chosen fields.

According to Forbes, the third annual 50 Over 50: Asia list includes women from 14 countries and territories in over two dozen sectors of work such as finance, pharmaceuticals, fashion, and other industries.

Below are the women from the Philippines who made the cut:

Susan Co, 66

Co is co-founder of Puregold Price Club Inc., where she currently serves as vice chairman, alongside her husband Lucio Co, who serves as chairman. The company ended 2022 with 283 hypermarkets, 101 supermarkets, 29 small store "Extras," 39 minimarts, and 22 S&R warehouse clubs. It also acquired 14 supermarkets of local chain DiviMart, which may instantly be converted to Puregold stores under a sublease transaction.

Co is also vice chairman of Cosco Capital Inc., a holding company with interests in retail, real estate, wine and liquor, and oil and minerals.

Dolly de Leon, 54

De Leon was the first Filipina to be nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture for "Triangle of Sadness." She was also nominated for a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award, and generated buzz as a contender for an Oscar Award.

Anna Ma. Margarita Dy, 54

Dy currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Ayala Land Inc (ALI). She took charge of the company in October, after serving as its executive vice president since Jan. 1, 2023, and chief operating officer since April 26, 2023.

Dy was the sole Filipina included in Forbes' "Asia's Power Businesswomen" list last year, following ALI's accelerated launch of residential projects to meet the surging housing demand.

Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, 64

Ferrer, a peace negotiator and professor of political science at the University of the Philippines, was cited for her efforts in conflict resolution and gender inclusivity for which she was given a Ramon Magsaysay Award in November 2023.

She played a major role in the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, where she served as the chairperson of the government peace panel for its negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Esther Go, 52

Go is the president and chief executive officer of electronic health-tech firm Medilink Networks, connecting over 200,000 physicians with over 2 million patients across the country. She has led the organization for nearly two decades.

She is also involved in other firms such as Security Bank Corp. and Equicom Savings Bank where she serves as director. — VDV, GMA Integrated News