Introduction of the Guest Speaker by Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe during the awards ceremony of the Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity held on August 29, 2025 at the Manila Polo Club.
Good[evening], everyone.
Tonight, I have the privilege of introducing a man whose name is synonymous with Philippine business excellence. Truly, when one hears the name “Ayala” what comes to mind is not only prestige, but also quality and innovation.
While this may be the second time I am meeting him in person, I —as I am sure most Filipinos do too — have always felt his presence. Whether in real estate, environment, telecommunications, banking, finance, or infrastructure, his contributions, both as a businessman and a philanthropist, have become so apparent, so much so that his influence has permeated into the everyday life of the Filipinos.
As most of you may already know, Mr. Zóbel de Ayala is a proud graduate of two of the most renowned institutions in the world – Harvard and INSEAD in France. During his tenure as President and CEO of Ayala Corporation, he steered one of the country’s most enduring business groups into bold new frontiers—from renewable energy and healthcare to digital infrastructure. These are not just corporate milestones, but are, at its core, nation-building efforts that are carried out with a noble purpose.
No wonder, he is a recipient of countless awards, including being named Management Man of the Year by the Management Association of the Philippines in 2018, and one of Asia’s Most Influential — Philippines in 2021.
His service, however, goes beyond the boardroom: he was also conferred the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice — which is one of the highest honors that the Pope can grant to laypeople — for his invaluable contributions and outstanding service as key figure behind the success of the programs and activities of Caritas Manila.
But beyond the accolades, what makes him even more inspiring and all the more, interesting is the personal side of Mr. Zóbel de Ayala. He is a man who can truly do it all—competing in local and international triathlons, thus, a real sportsman, balancing the rigors of leadership while being a devoted family man, and yes, even a dog lover, as he, in fact, is an advocate of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) which has heralded adoption efforts of stray animals all over the country. On that note, I feel a small personal connection, as I too am a lover of dogs.
So yes, while I may only be meeting him today, I feel like I already know him. Because when someone has helped shape the way we live, work, and connect, you realize that Fernando Zóbel de Ayala isn’t just a titan of industry; he is also a steward of progress, a man of service, and an embodiment of what this Foundation stands for: that liberty must be paired with prosperity, and that prosperity must serve the greater good.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor—and genuine pleasure—to welcome our keynote speaker: the one and only, Mr. Fernando Zóbel de Ayala.