3 Filipinos among Asia's power businesswomen

MANILA, Philippines — Three Filipino business executives made Forbes' list of "Power Businesswomen" in Asia this year.

Joining 47 other names in rundown of the most successful female business leaders are SSI Group and Rustan's Commercial chairman and CEO Zenaida Rustia-Tantoco, Banco de Oro Universal Bank chairman Teresita Sy Coson and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chairman Helen Yuchengco Dee.

Tantoco, 68, heads a corporation of 700 sales outlets in 69 malls as well as countless franchises for international lifestyle brands. In the past year, Tantoco led the SSI Group as it expands its FamilyMart convenience store chain.

Besides heading Banco De Oro, the 64-year-old Coson also works as vice chairman of SM Investments. The daughter of mall and real estate mogul, Henry Sy, Coson made her mark in leading SMIC to become the largest publicly listed firm in the country.

Dee, who runs the Yuchengco Group at the seasoned age of 70, is one of the most important names in the Philippines' banking sector. Through RCBC, she runs 449 branches of the commercial banks.

The list appears in Forbes' Asia March issue showcasing the accomplishments of the fast-growing region's female business minds.

The Forbes' editors said "women are starting to find a toehold in business" in Asia-Pacific economies that are emerging as power players in the global stage.

The three Filipinos join Alibaba's top female decision-makers, Maggie Wu and Lucy Peng from China, as well as Australia's Katie Page of Harvey Norman and Gina Rinehart of Hancock Prospecting.