Ayala: The real score

Their sport was rugby, but Ayala Corp.'s young leaders—Jaime Alfonso Zobel (son of Jaime Augusto Zobel or JAZA) and Jaime Zobel Urquijo (son of Bea Zobel Jr.), along with Mariana Zobel (daughter of JAZA and who is married to an Aboitiz) are the new quarterbacks of the historic 191-year-old family business.

- MARIANNE GO

OK, somebody made this comment before, but I have to ask the same question...why do most of the Zobel men have to have the name Jaime?

At the recent media night of the Ayala Group last week, only Jaime Alfonso and Jaime, however, took the spotlight in the absence of Mariana (who was out of the country) in a sports-themed media night at Ayala Mall's newest events place Space@One Ayala.

Media guests were asked to come in their best athleisure attire and were greeted with a photo booth and fun games that Jaime Alfonso even tried out himself, such as basketball, before being ushered into the ballroom where guests were asked to pick out blue baseball caps that had a corresponding door prize.

In line with the sports theme, the pre-dinner buffet, bar chow were burger sliders and nachos, while entertainment was provided by a band that played songs of well-known 1980s groups, followed by an improv group for more entertainment.

The highlight of the night, though, were the photo slides of Jaime Alfonso and Jaime in their younger years as they played competitive rugby for the Philippine Volcanoes in the case of Jaime, and the much faster game of touch rugby for Jaime Alfonso. The much-applauded interview portion showcased their outlook for the next nine years before the Ayala Group marks its 200th anniversary.

Jaime, 36, (who is the chief sustainability and risk officer of Ayala Corp.), provided a light moment to the event upon seeing his old photos with the Volcanoes being flashed on the screen which showed him still sporting a full head of hair as compared to his now clean-shaven pate.