At Ayala Corp’s 190th Anniversary Event, the Heir Becomes Apparent

It’s common knowledge that Ayala Corp isn’t just one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates, it’s also one of the oldest. Just how old is it exactly? Well, on Thursday (July 18), the company held a splashy event at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati to celebrate its 190th anniversary. 

The red carpet at Ayala Corp's 190th anniversary celebration dubbed Authentically Ayala

Thar’s right—the company behind such household names in the country like BPI, Globe, and Ayala Malls is 10 years shy of being two centuries old. The event, dubbed Authentically Ayala, was therefore a big deal and was attended not just by family members and Ayala Group executives, but also colleagues, supporters, and friends from other companies and conglomerates.

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The event also coincided with the 90th birthday of family patriarch Don Jaime Zobel De Ayala. Don Jaime, of course, was there. Their children and company leaders Jaime Augusto and Fernando were likewise in attendance. Both were accompanied by their wives Elizabeth (Lizzie) and Kit, respectively. Also spotted at the event were Don Jaime's other children Bea Jr., Monica, Cristina, and Sofia. Don Jaime's wife Doña Bea was unable to attend.

Don Jaime Zobel De Ayala

Jaime Augusto Zobel De Ayala

Fernando Zobel De Ayala

Ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic community hobnobbed with Ayala Group execs as well as government leaders during the pre-event cocktails. Also seen were leaders of other companies and conglomerates that showed their support to Don Jaime and the Ayala family, including the Gokongwei Group’s head Lance Gokongwei and his sister Robina Gokongwei-Pe, who heads Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.; Bloomberry Resorts Chairman Enrique Razon; Alliance Global Chairman Kevin Tan; Federal Land and Toyota Motor Corp Chairman Alfred Ty; LT Group president and COO Lucio Tan III; SSI Group President Anton Huang; Rustan Commercial Corp. Donnie Tantoco; and many others.

At the event, it was current Ayala Corp. president and CEO Cezar Consing who delivered the opening remarks.

“This year is particularly meaningful to all of us in the Ayala Group,” he said. “If Ayala is special, and we think it is, it is because of the steward leadership provided by Don Jaime, his forebears, and his family.”

Lance Gokongwei

Alfred Ty

Kevin Tan

Heir apparent

The show itself was a series of performances from some of the country’s top music superstars, including Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Kuh Ledesma, the Apo Hiking Society’s Buboy Garovillo and Jim Paredes, Celeste Legaspi, Mitch Valdes, Menchu Launchengco Yulo, Bayang Barrios, and many others. Live music was provided by the Manila Symphony Orchestra conducted by National Artist for Music Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

The song numbers were interspersed with montages that told the story of Ayala Corp, stretching back nearly 200 years.

Throughout the program, there were pre-taped appearances and short speeches from only four members of the Zobel De Ayala family: Don Jaime himself, his sons Jaime Augusto and Fernando, and his granddaughter Mariana Zobel De Ayala. 

An eighth-generation member of the family, Mariana is the daughter of Jaime Augusto and now holds the position of VP for leasing and hospitality of Ayala Land. In her video appearance, she said a few words about the significance of the event and also introduced the performance of Apo’s Jim and Buboy as well as Bayang Barrios. For some in the audience, given the availability of other VIPs and executives within the family that could have been given space to talk at such a high-profile event, Mariana’s presence during the program was a clear indication that she is being groomed to take on a much bigger role within the conglomerate in the future.

The event ended with all the stars performing a reprise of a song specially composed for the event by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab titled “Auntentic’ly We Stride.” The song also served as opening number. 

The program was conceptualized and initially directed by noted playwright Floy Quintos, who tragically passed away last April.