How the country’s young leaders can make it big, according to the ‘maid who made it’

CEBU CITY—Dream big, work hard, and stay focused—and you might just end up achieving your goals, and significantly changing the Philippines, says a former domestic helper who did just that.

“The future of the Philippines is you. If anyone can be successful, you can,” Rebecca Bustamante, founder of Chalre Associates Executive Search, told 90 of the country’s top college students at the 10th Aboitiz Future Leaders Business Summit (AFLBS) at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu last November 6.

“My promise to you: if I can do it, so can you. It doesn’t matter where you start,” added Bustamante, who is now also president of the Asia CEO Awards, the country’s largest business awards event.

Bustamante is known for her compelling life story which saw her rise from being a domestic helper in Singapore to chief executive officer of her own company, thanks to her sheer determination and resolve to succeed.

During her talk at the 10th AFLBS, Bustamante offered eight (8) ways to earn a career advantage: gain knowledge, gain top place, gain control of money, gain relationships, gain good work habits, gain a positive attitude, gain personal energy, and gain the right career.

Every year, the AFLBS gathers the country’s brightest college student leaders for a two-day summit of fun and knowledge through activities that allow participants to develop their leadership skills and learn how to concretize management concepts in a corporate environment. This year’s AFLBS carried the theme “ A Decade of Building Future Leaders.”

On the summit’s first day, top Aboitiz executives from different Aboitiz business units shared their knowledge, experience, and philosophies that reinforce high hopes for the country for these future leaders.

On its 10th year of building young talented leaders ,  the AFLBS   reaches a significant milestone in preparing  and empowering  the youth  to  be change makers in  their chosen field of profession, and in  society  in general .

“In Aboitiz, people are our greatest assets, which means that human resources holds a key role in the organization—that of finding the right people to occupy the right positions and motivating them to excel and be the best at what they do,” shared Txabi Aboitiz, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. Chief Human Resources Officer.

“We look for people who are driven, energetic, and results-oriented, who seek innovative solutions in their day-to-day work. We want people who are passionate about succeeding, and like to excel in everything that they do,” Aboitiz added.

About Aboitiz Equity Ventures

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) is the publicly listed holding and investment company of the Aboitiz Group with major investments in power, banking and financial services, food, land, and infrastructure. AEV is recognized as one of the best-managed companies in the Philippines and in the region, and is acknowledged for its good corporate governance.

About AFLBS

For more information on AFLBS, please visit careers.aboitiz.com/futuretalents/future-leaders-business-summit or follow AboitizLeaders on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #10thAFLBS.