In today’s rapidly evolving world, the true competitive advantage lies in unlocking human potential. At Aboitiz, we believe in nurturing this power to drive lasting impact.
Meet Czar Bastasa, AEV’s Transformation Officer. Once a determined scholar seeking her path, she has blossomed into a vital force behind our digital transformation. Her ability to blend simplicity, fun, and innovation has not only propelled her own success but has also been instrumental in shaping our organization’s transformative journey.
Let’s delve into Czar’s inspiring story and discover how embracing continuous learning and seizing opportunities can ignite your own path to growth and impact.
My story began with a spark of opportunity. I remember when my father told me that if I didn’t find a scholarship, I might have to stop studying. That’s when I seized the opportunity to become an Aboitiz Scholar.
It wasn’t just any scholarship; it was one that ignited a journey of self-discovery and transformation. Though GT behavior wasn’t a concept back then, I believe I began embodying it—and I continue to strive for it today. Here’s how:
In 2017, Becoming a scholar opened the door to an internship with the Digital Team. Back then, we were required to complete 250 hours of work unrelated to our course of study and another 250 hours related to it. I was assigned to the Digital Team, where I helped the SBU embrace an agile mindset, making processes simpler and more efficient. This was my first experience with the core behavior of simplicity.
As a scholar, I was selected to be a delegate at the Aboitiz Future Leaders Summit, where I met 94 other student leaders from across the nation. Through this experience, I learned about the Aboitiz culture and business units, all while embracing the value of Fun, a key behavior I picked up during the summit.
My scholarship also led to a capstone project with a client across the Aboitiz Group. Here, I faced real-world challenges and applied innovative solutions. This project was more than just a requirement—it was a testament to how far I had come and how I had embraced the spirit of innovation.
All these experiences paved the way for me to join Aboitiz as an employee in 2018. When I first entered the group as a Data Analytics Platforms Associate, Artificial Intelligence was just a buzzword. Everyone wanted to learn it, everyone wanted to future-proof their platforms for AI.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve witnessed firsthand how much has changed. I’ve not only been a part of this transformation but have also utilized Gen AI tools in my work. The GT Behaviors I’m still learning and embodying today form the foundation of my story.
As a developer who uses Python, I was amazed at how ChatGPT could code in Python and even translate my code into other languages, like AppScript, for automating Google Sheets. ChatGPT has helped me simplify and optimize my code, while also guiding me on best practices for creating cost-effective dashboards.
Another Gen AI tool that brought both efficiency and fun into my work was Gemini. Since we relaunched the Data Working Group in February, I’ve used Gemini to create scripts, slides, monthly summaries, and even icebreakers. With Gemini’s help, tasks that once took hours were completed in no time, making the process both fast and enjoyable.
And this year, our team launched Elsie and Albert during LeadCon. It was my first time working with Vertex AI, beyond the usual Dialogflow, thanks also to my colleague RJ and then to creating AI avatars with facial features that could talk and act like humans. Watching Elsie and Albert come to life was incredible. Look at Albert’s Jawlines, Elsie’s make-up and their slight wrinkles. Can you all say hi to Albert and Elsie? Hi, Albert and Elsie! We trained them, and with the right prompts, they responded perfectly. A-Leaders during Leadcon started to think it was pre-recorded, only the tech team knew how much we prayed they would get it right as these were AI Live Avatars back then!
Thanks to these Gen AI tools, the AI we once only imagined is now a reality. This is just the beginning.
The journey of transformation, or GT, is ongoing, and I’m excited about what comes next.
