By Jan Dolalas and Aly Virrey
Meet Rey, Transformation Manager at AEV leading the Foresight workstream. You’ll often spot him around the office, meal prep in hand, proudly sporting an Aboitiz shirt. But long before stepping into this role, Rey gained a wealth of experience across various Aboitiz Strategic Business Units (SBUs), giving him deep insight, knowledge, and familiarity within the Group. Armed with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Rey began his Aboitiz journey as a Technology Specialist with Aboitiz Power’s Aseagas, setting the foundation for his dynamic career ahead.
Rey’s journey into engineering wasn’t always straightforward. “Engineering wasn’t my first choice,” he recalls with a laugh. “I wanted to be a doctor but I knew my family couldn’t afford it. And as someone who literally grew up in the mountains, I wasn’t aware of a lot of opportunities back then.”
So when it came time for college applications, Rey’s choices were practical rather than passion-driven. “I didn’t put too much thought into it. I put BS Business Administration and Accountancy as my first choice in the University of the Philippines – Diliman, a triple quota double degree program, and put Chemical Engineering as my second choice because I like chemistry,” he says. Although he wasn’t able to qualify for his first choice, he decided to pursue Chemical Engineering so that he can go to UP — only to realize later on that Chemical Engineering is more than just Chemistry. This decision, although seemingly casual at the time, would eventually open doors in ways that Rey could never have predicted.
Early Challenges and New Opportunities
UP opened Rey’s eyes to many societal challenges, including the energy crisis. This was a challenge he knew all too well, having spent 15 years in Marinduque, where the energy crisis is still a pressing issue. He recalls many nights spent burning the midnight oil—literally—because there was no power. As an undergraduate researcher, Rey focused on the fuel of the future, which further inspired him to pursue a career in energy after college.
Rey’s first big step into the professional world came with his role at Aboitiz Power’s Aseagas, where he was tasked with solving the toughest challenges in wastewater treatment. “Those were exciting and challenging years,” he recalls. This experience taught him how to effectively network internationally, which he considers as one of his superpowers until now. Their COO, his mentor, exposed him to a lot of opportunities. But just as his career seemed to be gaining momentum, the company folded, leaving Rey at a crossroads.
“It felt like a huge setback,” he admits. But in true Aboitiz fashion, opportunity often arises from adversity. Recognizing his potential, Aboitiz leaders offered Rey a new role—this time in Vietnam.
Evolving on the Global Stage
Moving to Vietnam was a leap of faith for Rey, especially at only 24 years old, one that took him far from home and into an entirely new culture. “I’ve never been so far from my family and there was language barrier. But being immersed in a new culture, getting mentored by some of the best leaders in the Group, and being pushed outside my comfort zone made this move one of the most exciting ones in my career,” he says.
The Vietnam assignment turned out to be a pivotal moment in Rey’s career. Tasked with managing million-dollar projects, he quickly found himself growing in ways he hadn’t anticipated. “I encountered a lot of challenges, from earning the trust of the management even as the youngest member of the team, to answering to Group level leaders and implementing million dollar capital projects,” he shares.
“From a very technical role in Aseagas, I got to learn more about business development when I was given opportunities to take part in M&A due diligence, capital projects cost-benefit analysis, budgeting, and forecasting,” he adds.
After two years of overcoming obstacles and learning the ropes, Rey was promoted to manager—a significant achievement at just 26 years old. “That experience shaped me both professionally and personally,” he says. But as Rey grew, so did his ambitions. He was ready for the next chapter.
Finding Purpose in the Foundry
Rey’s career took another major turn when he participated in the Aboitiz ExO Sprint (also known as the Voyage), a program designed to foster innovation, develop disruptive business models, and tackle global challenges. It was through this experience that Rey found a deeper sense of personal purpose—his own Massive Transformative Purpose (MTP): ‘Do what makes you feel alive,’ which aligns with Aboitiz’s broader vision.
“This was a turning point for me,” Rey explains. “This was a pivotal moment of clarity. While plant operations were undoubtedly critical and valuable, the experience gave me a broader perspective.”
Rey soon joined the Aboitiz Foundry, where he worked on a project which he considers as the highlight of his career so far: Novel Protein or Hiraya. “The Foundry, with its promise of transformation and future-building, was the ideal platform for me to align my personal mission with my professional goals,” he says. The project, which focused on food security and climate change, resonated deeply with Rey, who saw it as an opportunity to tackle global challenges with science and engineering.
“I got so inspired by this project because who would have thought that 15 years ago I was just this young boy doing his chemistry homework in the mountains, with just an oil lamp as his source of light and the sound of crickets as his background music? Fast forward to 2023, and that young boy was in the boardroom of a NASDAQ-listed company in the US and in a synthetic biology laboratory in Silicon Valley, surrounded by chemical engineers and business leaders, discussing partnerships to achieve a common noble goal: combat climate change through science and engineering.”
From Operations to Foresight
Today, Rey is part of the Transformation Team, where he applies his engineering background and international experience to his role as Foresight Lead. “Moving around within the Group has also made me more strategic as a leader. When you’ve been exposed to different functions—like operations, business development, and now foresight—you start to see how all the pieces fit together,” he reflects.
In his current role, Rey focuses on anticipating future challenges and opportunities, helping Aboitiz stay ahead in a rapidly changing world. “My engineering background has been key in helping me navigate my current role in Foresight. The problem-solving mindset I developed during my engineering days—where I learned to break down complex problems and look for innovative solutions—really comes in handy when I’m mapping out future scenarios and exploring possible outcomes for Aboitiz,” he explains.
Rey is particularly excited about the potential to shape Aboitiz’s future in areas like sustainability and climate change. “We’re not just reacting to trends; we’re proactively looking ahead to anticipate challenges and opportunities,” he says. “The work we do helps Aboitiz not just keep up with these changes, but to be a leader in driving transformation across industries.”
On Growth and Leadership
Rey’s journey through various roles within Aboitiz has taught him the value of resilience and adaptability. “One thing I’ve learned in my journey at Aboitiz is that stepping out of your comfort zone is where real growth happens,” he says. “Each move—from Aseagas to Vietnam to the Foundry and now to Foresight in the Transformation Team—has taught me something new, made me more adaptable, and helped me build resilience.”
His advice to others considering a similar path is to embrace uncertainty. “My advice to anyone considering a similar journey is to embrace the unknown and be open to learning… Don’t hesitate to say yes to new opportunities, especially if they scare you a little. These experiences will not only make you a better professional but also a more well-rounded and strategic leader in the long run.”
As Rey continues his journey at Aboitiz, he remains committed to personal and professional growth. “I envision my personal growth being centered on continuous learning and expanding my leadership capabilities,” he says. His work in Foresight allows him to stay connected to global trends and challenges, ensuring that Aboitiz is always ready for the future.
From his early days as a young engineer navigating the complexities of wastewater treatment to his current role in shaping Aboitiz’s future, Rey’s story is a testament to the power of being open, purpose-driven, and having the courage to take bold steps forward.
And while his Great Transformation journey is far from over, one thing is clear: Rey’s passion for innovation and transformation will continue to drive him—and Aboitiz—toward new horizons.
