Enrique Jacobo Emilio Zobel y Olgado, better known as Enrique J Zobel and EZ, was a prominent Filipino businessman, pilot, and polo player belonging to the prominent Zobel de Ayala family who are of Spanish and German descent.
17 Facts About Enrique Zobel
1.
2.
Enrique Zobel became the favorite of his aunt, Mercedes Zobel McMicking, and her husband, Col.
3.
Enrique Zobel joined Ayala y Compania in 1955 and worked closely with his uncle, Col.
4.
Enrique Zobel professionalized the Ayala group and was instrumental in fulfilling Ayala's goal to become a major player in the banking sector, as the company gained control of the Bank of the Philippine Islands.
5.
In 1973, Enrique Zobel welcomed the Mitsubishi group as partners and took Ayala Corporation public in 1976.
6.
Enrique Zobel felt that the business community needed to speak out as a single solid voice and not lobby for its own corporate or sectoral interest.
7.
Enrique Zobel's controversial move was met with the displeasure of his aunt, Dona Mercedes, and cost him his position at Ayala.
8.
Enrique Zobel was succeeded by his first cousin Jaime Zobel de Ayala in 1984.
9.
The De La Salle-Santiago Enrique Zobel School located in Ayala Alabang Village was named in memory of son, Jacobo Santiago "Santi", who died of pneumonia at the age of 11.
10.
Enrique Zobel was a pilot and reserve officer in the Philippine Air Force with the rank of colonel.
11.
On May 10,1991, Enrique Zobel suffered a spinal injury and was paralyzed from the waist down after an accident in Sotogrande, Spain while playing polo.
12.
Enrique Zobel had to stop all physical activities and instead devoted his time to his foundation.
13.
Enrique Zobel was a recipient of the TOFIL Award in 2001.
14.
Enrique Zobel was a consummate pilot and was equally at home with jets and propeller airplanes.
15.
Enrique Zobel later separated from Urquijo and married Dee Anne Hora, an American.
16.
Enrique Zobel was known by his employees as a fluent Tagalog speaker with a twist of Batangueno accent given his sojourn in Batangas.
17.
Enrique Zobel was an avid polo player and was the first Filipino president of Manila Polo Club.