LIST: Alex Eala, Zack Tabudlo, and 7 other Filipinos in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia 2026
Nine Filipinos made it in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list, which highlights the brightest young minds in the region.
The 11th edition of the selection put the spotlight on under-30s in different categories: Entertainment and Sports, Retail and eCommerce, Consumer and Enterprise Technology, Industry, Manufacturing, and Energy, Social Media, Marketing, and Advertising, the Arts, Social Impact, AI, Healthcare and Science, and Finance and Venture Capital.
Forbes Asia reporters and editors selected the candidates from online submissions, industry sources, and list alumni recommendations. Here are the Pinoys who made it in this year's selection.
Alex Eala
Eala has been making waves on the tennis court since her phenomenal run during the Miami Open in March 2025. In March 2026, she reached a career-high with a No. 29 WTA ranking—the highest of any Filipino. Currently, the 21-year-old is the world's no. 44, with feats like beating two Top 10 players, reaching a WTA tour final, and a doubles win over Venus Williams under her belt.
"The support has been incredible," she told the outlet about Filipinos cheering her name during her matches. "Tennis can sometimes feel quiet and serious, so having that energy makes it special."
Zack Tabudlo
Tabudlo, who's known for viral hits Pano and Give Me Your Forever, was Spotify's most-streamed Philippine artist in 2022. The former Voice Kids contestant recently returned to the singing competition as a coach, with his mentee Sofia Mallares winning the 2025 edition.
Pauline Dizon and Adrian Jumangit of FanConSEA
In the Retain and eCommerce category, Forbes recognized Fan Connection SEA (FanConSEA) cofounders Pauline Dizon and Adrian Jumangit. Their licensing and booking company began during the pandemic, and now, they've landed deals like Penshoppe's BTS collaboration.
"FanConSEA was built on a simple realization: in Southeast Asia, being a fan often meant being priced out of the very culture you love. High import costs, customs fees, and limited distribution made official merchandise feel distant and inaccessible. So through IP licensing with established local brands, we set out to change that," the cofounders wrote in an Instagram post celebrating the recognition.
Martin Joaquin Palaña of GoRocky
Martin Joaquin Palaña and Kiyanusch Braun (German) made the 30 Under 30 list for GoRocky, an online men's health platform that addresses issues such as erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and obesity. According to the company, it has connected over 30,000 customers to doctors and pharmacies.
Kharl Christian Yeung
Yeung is a cofounder of local pet food company Amico Innovations, which Monde Nissin acquired a majority stake in 2024. The startup, in February 2025, released its first premium dog food, Vetra Savory Beef.
Brandon Angelo Wong and Raphael Sevilla of BayaniChain Tech
BayaniChain Tech has worked with the Department of Budget and Management, making the agency the first to use blockchain to upload and verify key documents. There are three minds behind the company: Brandon Angelo Wong, Raphael Sevilla, and Paul Soliman (over 30).
The company aims to build blockchain systems to help improve transparency and reduce corruption.
Saje Miguel Molato
Under the Social Impact category is Saje Miguel Molato, who founded Siklab in 2016. His consulting firm empowers the youth to become globally competitive through education, skills development, and partner programs.
Siklab, which has partnered with UNICEF and the National Youth Commission, has reached over 200,000 young Pinoys, provided literacy classes to over 15,000 kids, and sent 200 youth delegates to international conferences.
Steph Naval
Naval founded Empath, which provides online counseling, psychotherapy, and psychiatric consultations to schools, workplaces, and non-profit organizations. The young founder is a software engineer and a psychologist-in-training who has struggled with her own mental health.
Empath has helped over 40,000 Pinoys and offers other services like psychological first aid, crisis response, and mental health education.
Naval is also a UN Women awardee and a One Young World ambassador.
Emmanuel Mirus Ponon
Ponon is the founder of the ASEAN Youth Advocates Network, which encourages the youth to take part in policy making, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
"Turned 35 recently, returned to Belgium to finish my thesis, and woke up at 5 a.m. today to unexpected news: I've been recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026," he wrote in an Instagram post.
"Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with young people, communities, institutions, and initiatives across different spaces, all of which have shaped my perspective and purpose in ways I never imagined. This recognition is deeply meaningful, but it also reminds me that no journey is ever built alone."
