The Philippines made a mark in the Asian Forbes lists of philanthropist as four Filipinos made it to the elite list in the region. They were Henry Sy Sr., the richest man in the Philippine; John Gokongwei Jr.; Jun Falafox Jr.; and perfume manufacturer Joel Cruz.
Forbes magazine listed Universal Robina, Robinsons and Cebu Pacific top honcho, John L. Gokongwei Jr, at the number 8 spot in the annual Heroes of Philanthropy list in Asia. Gokongwei was the founder of JG Summit and at the same time he was one of the Philippines most endowed foundation – the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation.
The foundation was started with his three brothers in 1992, and in 2006, he gifted the foundation with half of his shares in JG Summit, a donation which is now worth more than $1 billion.
The owner and founder of mall giant SM, Henry Sy Sr. was also in the list of most generous in Asia. According to Forbes magazine, Sy, was able to give away $7 million to De La Salle University to build an eco-friendly building for the school, and donated $112 million to an un-named foundation.
World renowned architect, Jun Palafox, founder and managing partner of Palafox and (–foul word(s) removed–)ociates, was cited by Forbes Asia for donating the firm’s services for the design of low-income housing development.
The last but not the least Filipino who made it to the list is, Joel Cruz, the 48-year-old founder and CEO of Central Affirmative Co. His company makes Aficionado brands of perfumes. Forbes cited Cruz for making donations to help abandoned children, as well elderly and disabled.
