EastWest dads:  Passion, purpose, and parenthood

Fatherhood doesn’t come with a manual. It’s a constant balancing act between ambition and presence, career and connection, responsibilities and the passions that make us feel alive. What matters most in fatherhood isn’t doing things perfectly but being there with purpose and heart.

Today’s dads are redefining presence. They fix bikes on weekends, coach soccer teams, or dive into passion projects once the bedtime stories are done. They wear many hats as protectors, playmates, mentors, and motivators. Their passions don’t compete with fatherhood. They strengthen it. Hobbies offer space to reflect and recharge. And by caring for themselves, they become even more present for the people who matter most.

Fatherhood at EastWest: Showing up with heart

At EastWest, fathers do more than clock in. They show up with purpose, building their careers while nurturing their families, supported by a workplace that understands the value of the whole person.

“Fatherhood is expressed in countless ways, through dedication, consistent presence, and passions that go beyond the workplace,” said Atty. Alfie Suarez, EastWest Chief People, Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer. “These are the fathers who lead with heart. They show us that strength also means empathy, and that purpose is often found in the everyday moments that matter most.”

Across the organization, EastWest dads speak of a culture that respects balance and honors family. “I love that EastWest is family-oriented and embraces values like trust, responsibility, and support,” shares one dad. Another adds, “The hybrid work setup allows me to spend more meaningful time with my kids, and even the hours saved in traffic help me be more present at home.”

“Tri-Dad” who trains with purpose: Peegee

Peegee, who heads People Experience, Technology, and Analytics at EastWest, is raising three sons as athletes. His eldest son was recently selected for the national development pool for Philippine triathlon, and that achievement didn’t come without family-wide commitment. To keep up, he prioritizes his own health and stamina, carving out time to train alongside his kids.

He proudly calls himself a “Tri-Dad,” embracing the full circuit of his life by balancing work, wellness, and fatherhood in a deliberate and meaningful way. He fits in strength training before sunrise or cardio after bedtime, staying active without compromising family time.

But what truly sets him apart is his presence. He never misses birthdays, graduations, or competitions, no matter the scale. For Peegee, being there is non-negotiable. “They say the days are long but the years are short, so enjoy each moment. Give them the time that they deserve,” he reflects.

Innovator, toy collector, father of digital natives: Saichi

By day, Saichi leads the Electronic Channels team; by night, he’s a proud toy collector and digital—age dad navigating parenting by staying present and involved.

Fatherhood came early for Saichi. He juggled postgraduate studies with launching a startup. It pushed him to rethink his priorities. Instead of chasing every professional milestone, he drew a line in the sand and focused on what mattered most: his kids.

An innovator by nature, Saichi embraced parenting in the digital age thoughtfully. Rather than shielding his children from technology, he taught them to use it responsibly. From managing digital footprints to understanding data privacy, he raised them to be self-aware and tech-savvy.

At home, his passion for toy collecting became a shared family adventure. His kids helped unbox shipments, attended toy events, and learned which collectibles to play with and which to preserve. Today, Saichi treasures simple moments like driving them around, uninterrupted time to talk about anything and everything.

DJ Dad: PJ

PJ leads Business Systems for EastWest’s Consumer Lending Cluster while raising three kids and nurturing a lifelong passion for mixing music, which he’s been doing since his school days. For DJ PJ, parenting feels a lot like creating a great set: each child brings a different tempo, and every stage of fatherhood adds a new rhythm to the journey.

With kids in various life phases, he’s learned to adapt, grow, and stay grounded. His approach to balance is rooted in intention. He carves out time for music during the quiet hours, whether early mornings or late nights, so he can be fully present when the family is awake. Weekends are sacred, often spent reconnecting through shared routines or simple moments at home.

Weekend biker, everyday leader: Emman

Emman manages EastWest’s Roxas Boulevard Store, but it’s his early morning bike rides that keep him grounded. The routine has grown into a practice that keeps him focused as both a father and a leader.

For Emman, biking is his mental reset, his space for reflection, and a steady source of strength. What began as a fitness goal has become a personal ritual that fuels him through the week. He rides early in the morning, often before the household wakes, making sure his passion never takes away from his role as a dad.

A husband, father of three, and EastWest professional, Emman leads with discipline and intention. He has learned that balance doesn’t mean splitting time evenly, but giving his full attention to the moments that matter, such as a quiet dinner, a family movie night, or a walk outdoors.

Family chef and life learner: John

As Channel Head for Panay and Negros Auto Loans DG, John brings structure and focus to his work, and carries that same energy into the family kitchen, where he reconnects over home- cooked meals. Raised in a close-knit family that modeled love and responsibility, John now brings the same values to his own parenting with presence, patience, and a clear sense of purpose. For him, fulfillment comes from knowing that his efforts, at home and at work, create joy and stability.

One of those passions is cooking, inspired by his parents and perfected with help from YouTube. Mealtimes in the Justiniani household bring the family together through connection, creativity, and care. The food matters, but it’s the shared moments that leave a lasting impression.

He stays grounded through small, intentional moments by putting distractions aside and giving his full attention to his family. Whether it’s a nightly debrief with his child or a simple shared meal, John lives out what he believes.

EastWest: Where passion meets presence

Flexible work, supportive leaders, family-inclusive events, and a culture that values presence as much as performance all help EastWest fathers thrive both at home and at work. As one dad puts it, “Here, I don’t have to choose between being a committed father and a passionate professional. I get to be both, 100%.”

For the EastWest dads featured here, passion is personal. It helps them recharge, connect more deeply with their families, and show up as their best selves.

This Father’s Day, the Bank honors them and all the dads who show us that the things that make us feel most alive also make us better fathers, friends, and colleagues.

For more information, visit www.eastwestbanker.com.

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Editor’s Note: This article was provided by EastWest Bank.