The successes of GMA Network mirror the popularity of Annette Gozon Valdes. In July 2023, she, together with the brightest stars of the Philippine show business, attended the GMA Gala. Later, her appearance at the rival network’s ABS-CBN Ball also made headlines. The executive, who leads GMA’s most important projects, has spent time in front of the camera, as well, joining the judging panel of the network’s competition show Battle of the Judges and eventually performing in the finale episode in September 2023.

Read Annette Gozon Valdes’ full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Actress Michelle Yeoh’s stellar 2023 awards season run, which culminated in the Best Actress trophy at the Academy Awards, and her subsequent marriage to Jean Todt have generated interest in Hong Kong luxury-goods magnate Dickson Poon. In features about the Malaysian actress, media outlets reported about her 1998 marriage to Poon, who notably helped shape Yeoh’s career by signing her under his production company D&B Films. Beyond the Yeoh connection, Poon stands on his own as a leader in Asia’s fashion and retail industry, with his company Dickson Concepts operating in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.

Read Dickson Poon’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

The movements of multi-billion private equity firm Creador have put its founder Brahmal Vasudevan in the news. In February 2023, the company invested in Switzerland-based retailer Dali, which operates stores in the Philippines. In March, Creador exited home improvement retailer MR DIY but in July, it acquired a 40-per cent stake in pet food brand Pet World. The founder’s philanthropy work has also been well received: in September, Vasudevan contributed to Princeton University’s Vidya Dehejia Professorship of South Asian Art to further art research in the region.

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Lucio Tan, one of the richest billionaires in the Philippines, ensures the future of LT Group, which has interests in airlines, banking, tobacco, spirits and properties, through his grandson Lucio Tan III. The younger Tan assumed the roles of COO and vice chairman of the company in 2022 and was appointed president of PAL Holdings, which operates Philippine Airlines (PAL), in May 2023. For the past three quarters of the year, the holding company doubled its net income to PHP15.6 billion. More good news: PAL is set to resume its direct flights to Europe in 2025.

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Through V3 Gourmet, Taha Bouqdib operates luxury beverage brand TWG Tea and the Moroccan coffee brand Bacha Coffee, the latter of which saw notable expansion in 2023. Adding to its shops in Morocco, France, Qatar and Kuwait, the coffee chain opened two new locations in Asia this year: its first store in Hong Kong located in IFC Mall and a 7,000-square-foot shop in Malaysia. The French Morrocan businessman plans to open more locations of Bacha, which was established in Marrakech, in 2024.

Read Taha Bouqdib’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Tatler Asia's Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia's Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.

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