Nine Philippine entries have made it to Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Asia” Class of 2026, joining a regional roster of young leaders, founders, artists, advocates, and athletes recognized for their impact across the Asia-Pacific.
The annual list honors young achievers across different fields, including entertainment, sports, technology, enterprise, health, social impact, and innovation. Forbes said this year’s honorees were chosen from close to 4,000 candidates and evaluated based on factors such as funding and revenue, social and industry impact, product-market fit, inventiveness, and potential.
Here are the Philippine entries that made this year’s Forbes list:
- Alex Eala, tennis player
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala was recognized under Entertainment and Sports after a historic rise in women’s tennis. Forbes cited her breakthrough into the WTA Top 50 and her climb to world No. 29 in March 2026, making her the highest-ranking Philippine player in modern tennis history.
- Zack Tabudlo, singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo also made the list, adding another global citation to a music career that has reached audiences beyond the Philippines. He was among the Filipino names recognized in Forbes Asia’s 2026 roster.
- Raphael Sevilla and Brandon Angelo Wong, BayaniChain Tech cofounders
BayaniChain Tech cofounders Raphael Sevilla and Brandon Angelo Wong were recognized for their work in technology and innovation. Their inclusion reflects the growing presence of Filipino founders in the region’s digital economy.
- Kharl Christian Yeung, Amico Innovations cofounder
Amico Innovations cofounder Kharl Christian Yeung was also named to the list, representing young Filipino talent in enterprise and product-driven innovation.
- Pauline Dizon and Adrian Jumangit, Fan Connection SEA cofounders
Fan Connection SEA cofounders Pauline Dizon and Adrian Jumangit earned a spot for their work in building platforms and communities around fan engagement, a growing space in entertainment and digital culture.
- Kiyanusch Braun and Martin Joaquin Palaña, GoRocky cofounders
GoRocky cofounders Kiyanusch Braun and Martin Joaquin Palaña were recognized among this year’s Philippine entries, highlighting the broader range of Filipino-led ventures gaining attention across Asia.
- Emmanuel Mirus Ponon, ASEAN Youth Advocates Network founder
Emmanuel Mirus Ponon, founder of the ASEAN Youth Advocates Network, was included for his work in youth leadership and advocacy. His recognition places civic engagement and regional youth participation among the fields represented by the Philippine honorees.
- Steph Naval, Empath founder
Empath founder Steph Naval made the list for work in mental health support, a field that has gained increasing relevance as more communities push for accessible care and stronger emotional wellness systems.
- Saje Miguel Molato, Siklab founder
Siklab founder Saje Miguel Molato completed the Philippine entries, representing social impact and youth-driven initiatives among the Filipino honorees recognized by Forbes Asia.
Forbes Asia editorial director Rana Wehbe Watson said the 11th edition of the list highlights “a fresh wave of young minds” across the region who continue to innovate and disrupt industries as artificial intelligence reshapes daily life.
India had the most entries this year with 78, followed by China with 46, Australia with 38, and Japan with 32. Indonesia, Singapore, and South Korea each had 18 entries.
For the Philippines, the 2026 list reflects a diverse mix of young achievers, from sports and music to technology, mental health, advocacy, and entrepreneurship, showing how Filipino talent continues to gain wider recognition across the region.