Makati City, Philippines — In the landscape of global business, longevity is often viewed as a barrier to agility. Yet, Ayala Corporation, the Philippines' oldest conglomerate, is dismantling that myth. Recently honored as one of the Top Companies in Asia at the ACES Awards, Ayala is celebrating its 190th anniversary not just as a historical monument, but as a dynamic engine of national transformation. By mastering the triad of industrial influence, community centricity, and workplace excellence, Ayala has proven that a nearly two-century-old institution can still think, move, and innovate like a startup.
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The hallmark of Ayala’s influence is its massive ₱230 billion group-wide capital expenditure, a figure that represents more than just corporate growth, it represents the scaffolding of a nation. From Ayala Land’s sustainable urban estates and BPI’s financial services for 16 million Filipinos to Globe’s digital connectivity for over 62 million people and ACEN’s ~7GW renewable energy capacity, Ayala’s portfolio is a map of the Philippines' essential services. Furthermore, the conglomerate is aggressively scaling "future-proof" ventures, including AC Health’s integrated medical ecosystem, ACMobility’s electric vehicle transition, and its strategic stake in Mynt (GCash), which has revolutionized financial inclusion for the unbanked.
Ayala’s purpose, “We build businesses that enable people to thrive” is most tangibly felt through the Ayala Foundation. Serving 7.5 million beneficiaries, the foundation treats social development as a strategic business function. Addressing the nation's 91% learning poverty rate, its CENTEX Digital Education program uses a high-tech approach that has already doubled student math scores in pilot areas. This commitment to community extends to the nation’s 500,000+ uniformed personnel through the "Saludo sa Serbisyo" program, which provides a comprehensive support ecosystem for housing, financial wellness, and career placement, ensuring that those who serve the country are themselves served by its leading business.
Internally, Ayala has set the regional benchmark for what it means to be a Top Workplace. With a workforce of over 65,000 employees, the company maintains an extraordinary 93% sustainable engagement score. This morale is driven by some of the most progressive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in Asia. Through its "Inclusive Circles," Ayala leadership receives unvarnished feedback from Gen Z, LGBTQIA+, and persons with disabilities, leading to groundbreaking reforms such as 30-day paid paternity leave and medical coverage that includes domestic and same-sex partners. As an ACES Awards honoree, Ayala Corporation stands as a beacon of integrity, proving that a company can be an economic powerhouse and a profoundly human-centric organization at the same time.
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