EZ 20th DEATH ANNIVERSARY: Remembrance Ceremony

This year marks the 20th  death anniversary of the E. Zobel Foundation, Inc. founder — the late Don Enrique Zobel. 

To commemorate his life and legacy, the Foundation held a Remembrance Ceremony on May 17, 2024, Friday, at the Botanical Garden in Calatagan, Batangas.

The ceremony started at 8:30 in the morning at the Botanical Garden. It was attended by:

- Four retiree beneficiaries of the foundation and companions

- Representatives from Hacienda Bigaa and Calatagan Bay Realty, Inc.

- E. Zobel Foundation Inc. staff and employees led by the Executive Director, Mr. Paul Buenconsejo

- Mr. Edward Muñoz

Other invitees, such as Zobel school principals, were unable to attend due to ongoing seminars they needed to participate in at that time. The program started with the procession led by Mr. Paulino Buenconsejo who offered a bouquet of flowers followed by the representatives from Hacienda Bigaa who lit the candles. The rest of the attendees followed by offering flowers to Mr. Zobel’s tomb as well. 

After the procession, the program host invited Ms. Avelina Encinares to share her memories working for Mr. Enrique Zobel, and then was followed by Mr. Francisco Torralba. He shared the story of why and how the various Zobel companies were established. According to Mr. Torralba, Mr. Zobel’s vision for Calatagan and its people is  to have a better life through education. As such, he established various schools such as Santiago Zobel Elementary School in Brgy. Balitoc, Angelita Zobel Elementary School in Brgy. Lucsuhin, Jacobo Zobel Elementary School in Poblacion 3, and Enrique Zobel Elementary School in Brgy. Real, respectively. These schools were eventually turned over to the Department of Education. Lastly, Mr. Torralba also shared that when Mr. Zobel was already disabled due to a fatal accident from playing polo overseas, that’s the time when the E. Zobel Foundation was established that aims to enrich the lives of the people of Calatagan. 

The program ended with a simple breakfast prepared for them at 9:15 am.