Business tycoon Fernando Zobel de Ayala, board member of the 187-year-old Ayala Corporation, has once again earned admiration online, this time for a quiet moment of kindness toward animals. A photo of him gently petting a stray dog at an Ayala Mall recently circulated on social media, drawing praise from netizens who were touched by the gesture.
Community Dogs at the Center
The dog is a familiar face to regular mall-goers. It is considered a community pet and has long been part of the mall’s landscape, often greeted and cared for by those who frequent the area. When the image of Zobel de Ayala interacting with the dog was shared online, it quickly resonated with people who saw it as a reflection of the Ayala family’s compassion.
A Family Known for Compassion
Online discussions highlighted that this was not an isolated instance. Over the years, the Ayala family has quietly extended support to animal welfare groups and has shown care for strays across different settings. In 2022, Fernando was spotted at a PAWSsion Project event, again photographed spending time with rescue dogs. Known as a private figure rarely seen in public, he has nevertheless been captured in moments that consistently show his soft spot for animals.
Beyond Simple Gestures
His love for animals goes beyond casual encounters. As a supporter of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Fernando has welcomed multiple rescue dogs into his home, including Bonito and Charlie, adopted in 2020. He has since opened his doors to three more rescues, and even extended help to six displaced horses following the eruption of Taal Volcano. His continued support for PAWS has also helped bring visibility to animal welfare causes in the country.
A Lasting Impression of Kindness
What might seem like a simple act, stooping down to pet a stray dog, has carried significant weight among the public. For many, it underscored how compassion can inspire and influence others, especially when modeled by prominent figures. Fernando Zobel de Ayala’s gesture reminded people that kindness does not have to be grand to be meaningful, and that even small moments of care can leave a lasting impression.
