In the early 2000s, Marife Balbarino walked into Aboitiz Construction as a young planning and control engineer—quiet, meticulous, and unsure of where her career would lead. What she didn’t know then was that her journey would redefine not just her own path, but the possibilities for women in the company.
Back then, her world revolved around budgets, schedules, and reports. She worked behind the scenes, supporting project managers and keeping operations running. But over the years, as Aboitiz Construction geared up for its Great Transformation (GT2025), something shifted in her, too.
“I realized transformation wasn’t just happening around me—it had to start within me,” she recalls.
Stepping into a project management role meant facing fears she once pushed aside. She had to speak up more, trust her instincts, and lead teams often dominated by men with decades of field experience. It required courage, humility, and constant learning.
Breaking Barriers and Embracing Change
“What I appreciate about Aboitiz is that I never felt discriminated against,” she says.Opportunities are open to anyone willing to grow. You are recognized for your effort, your character, and your drive, not your background,” she mentioned.
With mentorship and her own determination, Marife grew into a leader others looked up to. She discovered that leadership wasn’t about being the loudest voice—it was about clarity, empathy, and the willingness to evolve.
“Transformation is about improvement,” she adds. “It begins with the right mindset. It makes a person stronger, wiser, and more fulfilled.”
Leading With Purpose and Inspiring Others
Today, as the Project Manager of the Balamban, Cebu project, Marife brings that mindset into every decision. She encourages her team to try new ideas, collaborate with openness, and adapt with purpose. Her own journey fuels her belief that transformation becomes powerful only when shared.
“When we transform as individuals, we influence others to do the same,” she shares. “That’s how real progress happens through people who uplift one another.”
For Marife, being the first female project manager is not just a personal milestone. It’s a vivid reflection of Aboitiz Construction’s commitment to inclusion and continuous growth. Her story embodies what the Great Transformation is truly about: building a future where everyone has the opportunity to lead, excel, and make a lasting impact.
