Ayala honors its legacies and Jaime Zobel de Ayala’s 90th at Authentically Ayala

Building businesses that enable people to thrive has been at the core of Ayala Corporation for almost two centuries now. Along with the company’s milestones is a remarkable list of leaders who propelled Ayala to become one of the largest and most enduring conglomerates in the Philippines.

One of the leaders who stood at the helm of the company and helped shape Ayala Corporation of today is Chairman Emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala. Zobel, who was the company’s chairman from 1984 to 2006, turned 90 this year, which made the company’s anniversary celebration a more significant one.

An avid photographer who has won several photography awards in the country and abroad, Zobel is a strong advocate of the arts and culture. To honor the family patriarch and highlight the company’s legacies, the Ayala group held Authentically Ayala, a musical show directed by the late playwright Floy Quintos, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit, Makati last July 18 and 19.

Authentically Ayala was produced by the theater’s managing director Christopher Mohnani with guidance from Fernando Zobel de Ayala, member of the board of Ayala Corporation, and Sofia Zobel Elizalde.

It featured performances by some of the country’s leading music artists like Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Kuh Ledesma, Basil Valdez, Celeste Legaspi, Mitch Valdes, Menchu Lauchengco, Bituin Escalante, Buboy Garovillo and Jim Paredes of Apo Hiking Society, and Bayang Barrios. The Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of National Artist for Music Maestro Ryan Cayabyab also performed the live music during the tribute.

Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, and Ayala Land Senior Vice President of Leasing and Hospitality Mariana Zobel de Ayala delivered their speeches during the program, highlighting how Ayala’s core values have guided the organization for the past 190 years.

The Zobel family, Ayala group leaders, local government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, national artists, and some of the company’s partners and friends attended the July 18 show.

“During my time, Ayala was already endowed with the most gifted individuals in the country. Leaders, professionals, creative and passionate minds who became my personal and professional inspiration,” said Zobel in a recorded speech shown during the program.

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“Today, I am deeply grateful and proud to stand with you on our 190th year. Today, I look at the future through your eyes. And I celebrate it proudly with you.”

“The years, decades, and perhaps a century more ahead can only be meaningful if we embark on this road together,” said Fernando Zobel. Jaime Augusto Zobel added, “We work for a vision that will outlive us, that will go beyond our lives, beyond our children’s lives, moving through generations — a lasting change that is born from what we continue today.”

Today, Ayala Corporation has a meaningful presence in real estate, banking, digital solutions, and renewable energy sectors. It also has a growing presence in healthcare, logistics, mobility, industrial technologies, education, and technology ventures. Ayala remains committed to continue creating positive impact on the communities it serves, even beyond 190 years.