How do you redefine success when you’ve already mastered the rules?

From Audit Rooms to Advocacy

I began my professional journey in one of the Philippines’ most respected auditing firms, SGV & Co. Fresh out of college and eager to learn, I spent countless nights poring over financial statements, developing both an eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the story behind the numbers.

That foundation as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) shaped not only my analytical skills but also my sense of integrity and accountability—values that continue to guide me today. Craving a broader challenge, I transitioned from auditing to the legal field, becoming a tax lawyer at a prominent Makati law firm.

For over three years, I immersed myself in corporate and tax law. I handled complex restructurings, litigating before the Court of Tax Appeals, and even reaching the Supreme Court. Furthermore, I was entrusted with solving high-stakes problems: securing multi-million-peso tax refunds, overturning hefty assessments, and guiding clients through the intricacies of regulatory compliance.

These victories weren’t just professional milestones—they were personal affirmations of why I chose this path: to solve difficult problems that make a tangible difference in people’s businesses and lives.

The Search for Meaning Beyond Compliance

Despite the intellectual satisfaction, I decided to venture into the private sector as an in-house counsel—hoping to be part of strategic decision-making and help a company grow from within. But reality quickly set in. In many organizations, legal work is often seen as a support function—vital, but confined to mitigating risks and ensuring compliance.

My days became filled with reviewing contracts, ticking checklists, and ensuring every box was properly marked compliant.

At first, the order and predictability were rewarding. Over time, though, I felt detached from the impact I once experienced. I had become a guardian of compliance, a gatekeeper rather than a problem-solver.

I missed the adrenaline of advocacy and the satisfaction of helping clients achieve their goals. When the legal function is limited to compliance, it loses something essential—its power to drive purpose and change.

Reclaiming Purpose Through Entrepreneurship

So, I made a bold move. I left corporate life and co-founded a law and accounting firm. It was a return to the front lines of problem-solving—helping businesses structure transactions, settle tax disputes, and find clarity in complex regulations.

As a partner, I found freedom and fulfillment in steering client relationships and mentoring young professionals. It was a period of rebuilding of rediscovering why I started in this profession. But as life often reminds us, growth sometimes comes through disruption. When our firm’s partners eventually parted ways due to professional differences, it felt like a difficult chapter closing.

Yet, in hindsight, it was one of those moments where the universe conspired to redirect my path. That turning point became my bridge back to corporate life—not as a return to the old, checklist-driven version of it, but as a redefined, purpose-driven chapter. It was then that I found my way to Remotely Philippines and realized that sometimes, endings are just disguised beginnings.

A New Chapter at Remotely Philippines