OUR SCHOOL
The late Don Enrique Zobel firmly believed that “through education, there is hope for a better life.” This has been his inspiration in helping schools mostly in Calatagan by assisting in terms of putting up public school buildings and other support infrastructures, organizing teachers’ training to improve the capacities of teachers.
Until such time the idea of building a school owned by the Zobel family became one of the options. This idea came across some sort of deliberation and went through a lot of conversation among the Board of Trustees. They believed that putting up a technical school will be the answered prayer of Calatagueños in finding a better job, especially for those unfortunate and unable to pursue their college education. In 2013, ENZOTech was founded by Mercedes and Iñigo Zobel in honor of their father, the late Don Enrique Zobel, passing. Taking inspiration from the ethos and alternative learning models of the Don Bosco Educational Centers.
The construction of this technical school began with fund support from them who have allocated a portion of the land located at Gulod, Calatagan Batangas.
In 2015, Enrique Zobel Technical Center (ENZOTech), which was named after the late Don Enrique Zobel had its first year of operation offering vocational courses on Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) and Automotive Servicing (ATS). The institution’s following years of operation were smooth sailing as expected, giving quality skills training programs to Calatagueños and other individuals coming from different parts of the Province of Batangas.
Through the years of 2017-2019 there was a generous donation from Tom Layng, which was used to support the operational infrastructure and classrooms which are currently used by Grade 11 and 12 students.
However, the cries of Calatagueños did not end after the successful establishment of ENZOTech and they asked if they could add a program for senior high school students, specifically those who are planning to take up technical vocational courses. Again, the idea had been brought to the board and once approved finding it is timely and relevant in that year.
In 2019, another institution was born in response to the call of the parents of Calatagan and this led to the birth of the Enrique Zobel Foundation - Senior High School (EZF-SHS), under the mandate of the Department of Education. The primary purpose of opening the SHS Program was to provide alternative career options highlighting technical vocational and livelihood related tracks. In particular the school offers three tracks: Academic Track, Technical Vocational and Livelihood Track and the Arts and Design Track.
EZF-SHS’s humble beginnings gave the Zobel family the hope that this promising institution will achieve its mission. In less than a year of its operation, this hope turned into a reality, having 86% of its first batch of enrollees pursue Technical Vocational and Livelihood Track.
At present, EZF-SHS continues to uphold its mission and vision by giving quality education living the legacy of the late Don Enrique Zobel to enrich everyone’s lives through education.
THE FOUNDER
Enrique Jacobo Emilio Olgado Zobel, also known as EZ, was born on January 7, 1927, the only child of Col. Jacobo Roxas Zobel and Angela Olgado and the eldest of the 7th generation of the Zobel family. He led an active and successful life.
He recognized his greater responsibility to help others without expectation or repayment. He believed that if those who have been blessed financially, intellectually, or socially, would embrace the responsibility to help those who are less fortunate, then we would have a more caring society, more cooperation and a sense of oneness or community.
EZ established a foundation under his name on April 24, 1990 for the purpose of advancing the opportunities for education of the youth of Calatagan, Batangas. He believed that through education there is hope for a better life.
It was almost as if he had a premonition of things to come. One year after he set up the E. Zobel Foundation, he suffered a near fatal accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down.
With EZ’s son Iñigo taking over the day to day business concerns, EZ focused more on the Foundation, deciding to concentrate his efforts in Batangas, Calatagan in particular.
Over the years, EZ supported many causes --- such as land reform, cattle dispersal, micro-finance, support for the disabled sector, medical center renovations, medical missions and scholarships.
When he died on May 17, 2004, local and international papers published a sheaf of obituaries, hailing him as a visionary, a mogul, the taipan of all taipans, an accomplished pilot, the quintessential businessman, a philanthropist, feisty, controversial, a maverick, a restless Filipino, a champion for social change and a deeply spiritual person. The composite painted the portrait of a man larger than life.
MISSION & VISION
MISSION
We are committed to producing empowered leaders, life-long learners and achievers that will contribute in shaping one’s nation for the future through giving innovative education, research-based instruction and multicultural approach in education.
VISION
The E. Zobel Foundation Inc. Senior High School Department develops multifaceted individuals and potential leaders inspired with passion and commitment for life long learning.
CORE VALUES
OUR ASSOCIATION
