By Madelein Embalado, BPI
A decade ago, Fritzie Robles stood at the airport with her 7-year-old son, Enzo, clutching a boarding pass for their very first trip abroad.
Their destination was Hong Kong, but the real magic happened at Disneyland. Enzo, wide-eyed with wonder, met his childhood heroes, Buzz Lightyear and Woody. The joy on his face was unforgettable, but it was what he said that stayed with Fritzie the most: “You’re the best mom in the world!”
That moment—brief, but powerful—became a landmark in their lives. At the time, Fritzie, a single mother, was just starting to build her career in the banking industry. Life was uncertain, full of long days and even longer nights, with sacrifices made in silence. She often wondered if she was doing enough. But that day, under a sky of fireworks and Disney music, her son’s words told her she was on the right path.
Fast forward to today, Fritzie is BPI’s Department Head of Personal Loans for Luzon Retail Markets – Sales Distribution and Channel Management Division. Her role is dynamic and demanding, but it’s one she embraces with purpose and pride. The years between that first flight and today were filled with challenges, but they were also full of growth, gratitude, and resilience.
Now, traveling isn’t a rare escape or a milestone birthday gift. It has become a family tradition for Fritzie and Enzo, who take trips together at least twice a year, exploring new cities, cultures, and cuisines.
“BPI didn’t just give me a job,” Fritzie says. “It gave me the opportunity to build a life filled with memories—moments that would have seemed impossible back then.”
Work-Life Integration Is No Cliché
More than giving her the financial capacity to go places, BPI allows Fritzie to embrace work-life integration.
When asked how the Unibanker manages her well-being, especially as a working mom—Fritzie admits it’s not always about green smoothies and yoga mats.
“Sometimes, it’s just remembering to drink water to balance out all the coffee,” she says with a laugh.
Over the years, she’s picked up a few small but impactful habits that help keep her mind and body in check, such as the “No-Phone Wake-Up” Rule. Her work allows her to avoid screen time for the first 30 minutes of the day—no emails, no social media, no news scrolls.
“We have a pet dog at home, so I use that time for feeding and bonding,” she shares. It’s a gentle way to start the day grounded and present.
Another habit is keeping a “Not Today, Anxiety” journal dump—a practice she swears by. “To keep myself from overthinking, I do journaling. It’s like a therapy, but cheaper and with more doodles.”
And then there’s the “One-Task Focus Trick.” While multitasking is often celebrated, she’s learned that it could sometimes feel like too much.
“What I do is I set a timer for 25 minutes to do one thing, then reward myself with a stretch, a snack, or a guilt-free scroll through memes,” she explains.
Indulging in guilt-free pleasures is a cherished ritual for many, including Fritzie. When asked about the activities she enjoys without any regrets, she has four top answers: eating lechon, watching K-Dramas (especially those featuring Kim Seon-ho), mindlessly scrolling on social media, and spending her weekends at home in pajamas.
“Every now and then, I summon the crispy, glistening magic of lechon to my dinner table. Life’s too short to skip your favorite dish—especially when it crackles,” says Fritzie. Watching K-Dramas, particularly those starring her favorite oppa, Kim Seon-ho, gives her a momentary escape from the seriousness of adulthood. Similarly, her random scrolling through social media to check funny memes, the latest celebrity dramas, and vacation photos from relatives provides a light-hearted distraction. Lastly, for her, there’s a sacred kind of bliss in waking up at noon on a Saturday, leisurely grazing on a late lunch, and then promptly returning to bed in freshly laundered pajamas.
Wisdom Gathered Over Time
Behind these wellness practices are deeper lessons—ones that were instilled in her by the woman she looks up to the most: her mother.
These lessons became especially important when Fritzie began raising her son, Enzo, on her own. It was far from easy, but the love and support from her family—and from BPI, where she’s built a 13-year career—kept her going through the hardest days.
Now, with a stronger sense of self, a meaningful career, and a deep bond with her son, Fritzie looks forward to what’s ahead. She and Enzo, now 17 years old, continue to explore new places, create lasting memories, and live each day with intention. “The best is still to come,” she says with quiet confidence,
