The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the economic landscape in 2020, resulting in a plunge to the collective wealth of the Philippines' 50 richest according to Forbes in its report last September 2020. Now we look at the real-time list and see the changes in ranks and net worths since last year

Total net worth figures are based on the Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires List and Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which is a daily ranking of the world's richest people. The ranking stated in this article is updated as of 5 March 2021.

Last May 2020, we released a list of the richest Filipino billionaires included in the initial list by Forbes. Later in September, unprecedented events happened that caused a shuffle in that list. One of these is the sudden passing of Danding Cojuangco. Another is the debut of Lance Gokongwei—the son of the late John and Elizabeth Gokongwei—to the billionaire's list together with his siblings. 

Also by the second quarter of 2020, the Philippine economy suffered a major setback with 16.5 per cent drop in GDP. This led to the country's annual GDP plunge by 9.5 per cent, the worst economic growth rate since the Second World War.

Nevertheless, we have seen the resilience of our leading tycoons in the fight against COVID-19, and other causes that needed to be immediately addressed last year. Ramon Ang made headlines last 2020 for the achievements in transportation, public works, and healthcare industries. The philanthropic efforts and innovative business initiatives have been also evident in the performances of Hans Sy, Enrique Razon, Andrew Tan, and the Ayala Group of Companies, among others.

We also saw Edgar "Injap" Sia II rose to the ranks being "the biggest gainer in both percentage and dollar terms... partly due to the successful initial public offering (IPO) of his MerryMart in June", according to Forbes. In connection with that, DoubleDragon Properties Corp. becomes the second listed company in the country to offer real estate investment trust (REIT), running on the main board of Philippine Stock Exchange this March.

Read also: Introducing Asia's Most Influential: The Impact List 2020

Moreover, financial experts are positive that we will recover from the economic repercussions of the pandemic. The fiscal policies in 2020 have greatly increased the unemployment rate but still, it opened doors for medium to small enterprises and online businesses, keeping the economy afloat.

As the first quarter of 2021 approaches its end, let us take a look at the real-time list of the richest Filipinos that have made it to the Forbes' World Billionaires List, as of today.

1. #343 Manuel Villar Jr.

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Above Manny Villar / Wikimedia Commons

NET WORTH: US$7.2 Billion

2. #57 Enrique Razon Jr.

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES - MARCH 16:  Philippine President Beningo 'Noynoy' Aquino III lead the opening ceremonies of the Solaire Resort & Casino with Chief Executive Officer Enrique Razon Jr., Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Chairman Cristino Naguiat Jr. on March 16, 2013 in Paranaque City, Philippines. The Solaire group have invested USD $1.2 billion into the high-end casino, and are banking on luring VIP gamblers away from Macau. Shares in Solaire have risen 60 per cent in the past six months on a
Above Ricky Razon / Getty Images

NET WORTH: US$5.0 Billion

3. #892 Lucio Tan

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Dr. Lucio Tan, Chairman and CEO of Philippine Airlines, sits with other executives of Airbus and Philippine Airlines as they  announce in a news conference Tuesday Aug. 28, 2012 in Manila, Philippines, the signing of a US$7-Billion deal to buy 54 Airbus planes. The firm order of A321s and A330-300s Airbus aircrafts will see the first batch of airline delivery starting in 2013 and with the arrival of the NEO (New Engine Option) by 2015. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
Above Dr. Lucio Tan, / The Associated Press

NET WORTH: US$3.3 Billion

4. #1002 Andrew Tan

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Above PHOTO: Sara Black for Tatler Philippines June 2015 cover

NET WORTH: US$3.0 Billion

5. #1015 Hans Sy

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Above Image courtesy of Hans Sy

NET WORTH: US$2.9 Billion

6. #1022 Herbert Sy

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Above Herbert Sy / PHOTO: Randolf Evan

NET WORTH: US$2.9 Billion

7. #1122 Harley Sy

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NET WORTH: US$2.7 Billion

8. #1128 Henry Sy Jr.

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Above Henry Sy Jr. / PHOTO: Randolf Evan

NET WORTH: US$2.7 Billion

9. #1144 Teresita Sy-Coson

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Teresita Sy-Coson, the founder and chairman of SM Prime Holdings, at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. 19JAN15 (Photo by David Wong/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)
Above Tessie Sy-Coson / Getty Images

NET WORTH: US$2.6 Billion

10. #1259 Tony Tan Caktiong & Family

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Above Image courtesy of Tony Tan Caktiong

NET WORTH: US$2.4 Billion

11. #1302 Elizabeth Sy

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Above Elizabeth Sy / PHOTO: Randolf Evan

NET WORTH: US$2.3 Billion

12. #1406 Ramon Ang

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Above Image courtesy of Ramon Ang

NET WORTH: US$2.2 Billion

13. #2223 Roberto Ongpin

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Above Bobby Ongpin / PHOTO: Celebrity Net Worth

NET WORTH: US$1.2 Billion

14. #2281 Ricardo Po Sr. & Family

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Above Ricardo Po Sr. / PHOTO: Century Tuna

NET WORTH: US$1.1 Billion

15. #2294 Edgar "Injap" Sia II

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Above Image courtesy of Injap Sia

NET WORTH: US$1.1 Billion


Read more: 10 Richest Billionaires In The World As Of January 2021

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