Philippine Billionaire Family Zobel de Ayala
There is an aristocratic illustrious family in the Philippines called the Zobel de Ayala family.Their family name is actually Zobel but they style it by adding the "Ayala" to indicate their spanish heritage.This family is the premier family in the Philippines since 150 years ago.They developed the business district of Makati and thay started or still own the major utilities in the Philippines like Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Beer, Bank of the Philippine Islands etc etc.
A lot of filipinos know that "zobel" was german and hence they added the Ayala because they are a direct descendants of the Duchess of Alba de Bourbon, the sister of Spanish king during the 1850's who married a spanish aristocrat surnamed Ayala ended up in the Philippines (as the Philippines was colony of Spain for 400 years). They are 4th or 5th cousins to the present Duchess of Alba in Madrid,the most titled woman of Spain and a prime mover of the Spanish Society.
This family is the closest we can get to royalty in the Philippines.Please see this link.
http://www.forbes.com/finance/lists/10/2002/LIR.jhtml?passListId=10&passYear=2002&passListType=Person&uniqueId=JAYK&datatype=Personhttp://www.forbes.com/finance/lists/10/2002/LIR.jhtml?passListId=10&passYear=2002&passListType=Person&uniqueId=JAYK&datatype=Person
The spanish royals, the Spanish King Juan Carlos de Bourbon, his wife and their children, when they visit the Philippines on an official function or private visit never forget to call on their cousins.
Incidentally, the Zobel de Ayalas were the only ones allowed to buy a townhouse in Kensington Court in England, a stones throw away from Buckingham Palace where the Queen resides.This excusive area inside the district is the most expensive real estates in the World and very exclusive since the Queen has to approve who her neighbors are. Mostly relatives, kings and queens of other countries people privy to the queens ear and other top level members of society in England.
The Zobel de Ayalas since their forefathers all studied in Harvard.
One query here is that more than 100 years ago. One of the Ayalas married a Zobel of german ancestry in the philippines or maybe in Spain.But it was this german business man who are actually started the family conglomerate and expanded further by another german with the family name McMicking who married his daughter.This daughter is probably around 95 years old now and her name is Mercedes Zobel de Mcmiking. No heirs.And therefore for the past 50 years her properties have been managed by the present Zobel de Ayala family who are her grandnephews and nieces.She is one of the richest women in Spain and the richest woman of the Philippines (if she is still alive).
This family is fascinating to all filipinos and if would even be mroe fascinating if you visit the Philippines and go to makati and visit the family museums and archives which is open to the public. There you will see the forefathers of the present family who are the prime movers the economy of the Philippies.
Going back to Philippine Airlines which used to be owned by the family.Makati being the premier business of the Philippines is cut through with an 8 lane Avenue right in the middle and this is called Ayala Avenue.This street is the equivalent of Wall Street since all the big banks and mulstinationals have their offices here.All the embassies are on the side streets.The skyline is impressive but it is also shocking to note that it was the runway of the Manila International Airport more than 50 years ago!Which means that in the 50 years Makati was a swampland with only the Airstrip and a tine airport terminal.Philippines Airlines was Asia's first Airline.It has come along way.And you can see how Makati was developed and became the third most expensive real estate in South East Asia(first Hongkong, then Singapore). Do not forget to visit the Ayala Archive Center which is housed in the present airport terminal beside the Ayala Avenue and you will see all the pictures there.
Bye for now.