Antonio de Ayala

Ayala Corporation
The Ayalas are arguably one of the most prominent families to ever reside in the
Philippines. Since coming here in the country in 1475, the Spanish-Filipino Ayalas have built an
empire. The family owns and controls the Ayala Group, one of the largest and oldest commercial
conglomerates in the country with interests in banking, insurance, real estate development,
telecommunications and public utilities. The Ayala Group has gone through life-changing events
and made landmark business decisions that have allowed it to emerge stronger than before. I
truly admire the Ayala family in how they have developed and helped the Philippines in so many
ways. The story of how the Family patriarch started from scratch and rose above it all is nothing
short of amazing. Truly, not many entrepreneurs have the guts to pursue what the Ayala family
has done.

The Ayalas not only have placed the first step into developing our country and setting a
good example for other businesses to flourish, the Ayalas also have a long tradition of
philanthropy, which is their way of giving back to the nation. Indeed, this kind of work ethic and
dynamic leadership has made me want to also become a business owner one day. Perhaps one of
the most important things we can take away from the Ayala Family is that passion for your
enterprise is the formula for growth. Business owners, to succeed, must keep in mind that it is
one thing to accept change, but it is more entrepreneurial to be the source of change.
Entrepreneurship is key to nation building.