Zobel brothers’ chance encounter with VP Sara

MANILA, Philippines — Tycoons Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala recently had a chance encounter with Vice President Sara Duterte in Davao.

A video of the Ayala Corp. chairman and the vice president exchanging pleasantries has since circulated on social media.

Duterte led the ribbon-cutting event for the opening of Matcha Tokyo’s first branch in Mindanao at the Azuela High Street, which is located at the 25-hectare Azuela Estate, a joint venture development of Ayala Land Inc. and the Alcantara Group. 

Azuela High Street last Friday marked a milestone with a ceremonial opening and Christmas lighting, gathering valued merchants alongside key members of the Zobel, Alcantara and Floirendo families.

The event welcomed new shops that add to Davao’s lifestyle scene, which included Matcha Tokyo.

“Azuela High Street represents our commitment to creating vibrant community destinations in Davao, where commerce, culture and everyday living come together. With every new shop and experience, we bring people closer to the vision of Azuela Cove as Davao’s premier seaside lifestyle estate,” Ayala Land head for Central Luzon & Vismin estates Yeng Tupaz said.

“For the Alcantara Group, Azuela is about building on our family’s legacy in Davao while looking ahead to the city’s bright future. This milestone is not just about new shops or festivities, but about creating spaces where families and communities thrive,” Alsons Land president and CEO Edith Alcantara said.