HOW SAMANTHA PANLILIO IS MAKING HER MARK BEYOND THE 'HEIRESS' TAG

Samantha is one of People Asia's 'Women of Style and Substance' this year. She's also part of the publication's October-November issue cover.

- By NATHALIE TOMADA

SAMANTHA PANLILIO feels "very honored and very grateful" to be named one of People Asia's Women of Style and Substance this year.

The former beauty queen and entrepreneur joins the list that includes French ambassador Marie Fontanel, Singapore ambassador Constance See, Associate Justice Ma. Filomena Singh, Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion, singer-concert producer Pops Fernandez and reigning Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo.

"For me, it's kind of both recognition and a reminder that you're going the right path and that whatever I'm doing, leadership-wise, seems very effective. It's just very heartwarming to be able to get recognition for that. But again, ultimately, it's a reminder to just keep on going," she told The Philippine STAR in an interview on Friday.

In her Women of Style and Substance feature, the former Bb. Pilipinas Grand International titleholder and heiress to the Panlilio business empire said that she doesn't want to be reduced to being merely called COO or child of the owner. The daughter of property magnate Jose Marcel "Jocel" Panlilio is "pursuing different passion projects" besides being chief operations officer of the family's land holdings and leisure companies, including Puerto Azul Land Inc. and Fridays Hotels and Resorts.

"My father always tells me to keep all opportunities separate and try to seize each and every one of them. As you know business here in the Philippines, it's pretty tough especially with the economy so you really have to have tenacity and grit. And to never stop learning, like, he always encourages me to read a book or two in a month," she told this paper.