The Way Forward

Finding the sweet spot between work and personal mission

“I feel blessed that I am part of an organization that is aligned to my life’s mission and purpose. The recently announced Ayala project, Healthway Cancer Care Center, tugs at my heartstrings.”

Our president and CEO, Mr. Fernando Zobel de Ayala emphasized the need to increase awareness of the disease through patient education, improve timeliness of diagnosis. “Ayala Life for me is about empowered leadership. It is about bringing out the best in people, while finding that sweet spot of harmony between a fulfilling career and one’s personal life. Being empowered is also about employees knowing how they contribute to the realization of the vision of the company. Ayala Life makes you feel empowered to use your God-given talents to serve others.” As Patricia says this, you’re given a glimpse of how she takes care of her teams, watches out for colleagues, and how she’d like to grow in her role at AF Payments.

Filled with gratitude and hope when asked about how what she is looking forward to the most in 2022, Patricia tears up as she elaborates: “At work, I want to pursue significance in my job at Ayala. I’m excited to spend more time with my team in AF payments, and of course, the rest of the Ayala group as well. Ang sarap that I’m with a company that truly cares for others. Ayan naiyak tuloy ako! I’m grateful to be part of this company that really wants to help people in everything they do.”

If there is one thing for certain for the year ahead, Patricia will keep being there for others as she leaves a lavender-scented trail along the way: “I have a community of oilers who continues to help me, and it’s really more on personal development. Those who are into oiling, parang mas marami na nag-oopen na doors talaga! You also become passionate about fitness and wellness, and all of this connects together as a lifestyle. My kids are into oils as well. They are homeschooled, so sila minsan yung mga nasa videos that my husband posts about oils. They love to draw, and they love to make comic art about the oils. And then my bunso, my daughter, she claims that she’s a little oiler,” she says as she beams with pride.

Her eyes sparkling, Patricia shares: “Cancer gave me challenges that definitely made me embrace my loved ones tightly, so tight I could not breathe. And because of that, I learned to let my faith be bigger than my fears. It made me a warrior. I realized that the biggest part of the hurdle is over once you have decided to face the light rather than stay in the dark. This warrior has a big battle scar that reminds me every day how brave I can be and how fiercely I love. I am reminded to continue to love and to keep on fighting for the people I hold dear in my heart. And from day one, I never doubted. I knew I would come out from that experience, whole, healed, and renewed. And for me to share my story, and be of service to others—I pray that I am giving them the same hope that I needed when I was in their shoes.”