SEVERAL Filipino talents, including the “Nation’s Girl Group” BINI, have made it to the 2025 edition of Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Asia” roster.
The 10th annual edition of the “30 Under 30 Asia” list honors individuals who excel in different fields including entertainment and sports, consumer and enterprise technology, social impact, finance and venture capital, artificial intelligence, industry, manufacturing and energy, retail and e-commerce, healthcare and science, the arts, and social media, marketing and advertising.
The 2025 list features 300 outstanding young entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators across the Asia-Pacific region, all under the age of 30.
BINI—composed of Gen Z members Aiah Arceta, Colet Vergara, Gwen Apuli, Jhoanna Robles, Maloi Ricalde, Mikha Lim, Sheena Catacutan, and Stacey Sevilleja—was recognized for its contribution to the entertainment scene, having earned millions of streams on the digital music service Spotify. The group was formed through ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy and officially debuted in 2021 with its single “Born to Win.”
BINI, known for its hit songs “Pantropiko,” “Salamin, Salamin,” and “Karera,” has been making waves in the local and international scene, earning multiple accolades from various award-giving bodies. This includes the historic “Best Asia Act” award from the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) 2024, making BINI the first Filipino artist to win in the category.
BINI dropped its second extended play (EP), “BINIverse,” in February, containing six tracks.
The “Nation’s Girl Group” has arrived in Dubai for its “BINIverse World Tour 2025.”
Other Filipinos in Forbes’ list
Joining BINI in the entertainment and sports category is Filipino chess prodigy Daniel Quizon, who became the country’s latest Grandmaster at 20 when he defeated Monaco’s Igor Efimov during the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Hungary last September.
The “30 under 30 Asia” 2025 list also included Ilonggo doctor Jasper Ruby Vijar and Food sustainability advocate Anna Beatriz Suavengco (social impact) Kaya Founders Managing Director Raya Buensuceso and Forge Ventures Vice President Ysabel Chua (finance and venture capital), and visual artist Renren Galeno (social media, marketing and advertising).
Vijar, co-founder of the youth-led NGO Team Dugong Bughaw, advocates for sexual health-related awareness by offering reproductive health education, free HIV tests, and condoms. Suavengco, meanwhile, teaches the public how to make home hydroponic vegetable farms through her Urban Farmer TV series.
Buensuceso has invested in early-stage startups in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia through Kaya Founders. As the vice president of VC firm Forge Ventures, Chua has overseen five investments, including supply chain startup Baskit and food startup Prefer.
Galeno, on the other hand, illustrated the 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist “Searching for Maura,” which narrates the injustice suffered by Filipinos at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri.
According to Forbes Asia Editorial Director Rana Wehbe Watson, this year’s “30 Under 30 Asia List” celebrates “a decade of exceptional talent and innovation by highlighting a new generation of entrepreneurs and young leaders who exemplify resilience and creativity as they battle tougher business conditions.”
