Two Filipinos make it to Forbes Asia’s 2016 Heroes of Philanthropy list

MANILA, Philippines – Two Filipinos made it to Forbes Asia’s annual Heroes of Philanthropy list: An 80-year-old businessman who provides scholarships and support faculty development and research as well as a 50-year-old veterinarian who builds boats for children living in a mangrove village.

Gateway Property Holdings Chairman Emeritus Geronimo De Los Reyes Jr. and veterinarian Anton Mari Lim were the only Filipinos included in the 40 billionaires and businessmen on the list of notable givers. 

“The list not only features philanthropists who have made the news with their donations in the past year, but also recognizes people who have compiled a long record of supporting worthy causes,” Forbes Asia said in a statement.

De Los Reyes started his namesake foundation in 1995 to provide scholarships and support faculty development and research.

The 80-year-old businessman had also built a museum that exhibits photographs of the Philippine Revolution, the Filipino-American War and the country at the turn of the last century.

Meanwhile, Lim in 2010, started helping the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation to build boats for children from the mangrove village of Layag-Layag, who had to swim to school.

“So far it’s built 1,045 boats, 5 schools and 2 dormitories, and 11,942 children have gained better access to school,” Forbes Asia said in its report.

The list has also included China’s richest man, Pony Ma, who is the chief of Tencent Holdings.

Lui Che Woo, founder of K.Wah Group and Galaxy Entertainment, and Taiwanese mogul Terry Gou also made it to the list.

In 2015, Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao, technology entrepreneur Diosdado Banatao, and P.J. Lhullier Group Chairman Philippe Jones Lhuillier were included in the Forbes Asia list. – Rappler.com