Between success metrics and the back-to-school rush, today’s dads aren’t just putting food on the table—they actually want to be present and watch their family enjoy it.
At Capital One Philippines, dads and father figures lead teams and drive results, while still being able to fully treasure time with their families. We see our leaders trading the old-school office grind for a sharper strategy: deliberate prioritization and lots of mindful presence. They have come to realize that there’s no need to downgrade their family life to upgrade their careers – they just need a better operating system for it.
Being Fully Present
For those wondering what time management and work-life balance look like, JJ Santos is a good example. He’s a manager for Reporting, Analytics, and Data Management at Capital One Philippines, manages a small business on the side, and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Data Science at the Asian Institute of Management—all while taking care of his family.
“Work-life balance is not about splitting time perfectly between work and family every single day but about being fully present wherever you are,” JJ said. “When I’m at work, I want to lead with purpose and deliver meaningful impact. But when I’m with my family, especially my kids, I make sure they feel that they have my full attention and presence. At the end of the day, success at work becomes more meaningful when you can share it with the people you love.”
This mindset is what JJ has found ingrained in the culture at Capital One Philippines, which has given him opportunities to grow as a leader while recognizing the importance of family and personal development.
For JJ, fatherhood has become one of the biggest inspirations behind everything he does. It motivates him to continuously grow not just professionally, but also as a person, leader, and role model for the family.
Through the company, JJ has been able to pursue continuous learning, take on new challenges, and develop his technical and leadership skills. “Having an environment that values people, collaboration, and work-life integration makes a huge difference, especially for working parents trying to balance multiple responsibilities,” he said.
The workplace environment has also shaped the way JJ views both leadership and family life. “Leadership and parenting both require patience, empathy, consistency, and a willingness to continuously learn and adapt. Success is not just measured by career milestones but also by the moments you create with your family and the values you pass on to your children.”
Adaptability and Discipline
For Julius Legaspi, a learning and development professional at Capital One Philippines, life has always been about change. Whether he’s guiding associates at work, cycling or running through mountain trails, or spending time with his wife and three children, he believes that staying active is the key to staying sharp for both his team and his family.
Julius loves to stay 'road-ready' by having a disciplined routine of running, mountain biking, and motorcycling. For him, staying active is the key to staying sharp for his family.
Julius’ experience as both a leader and a father has shaped the way he approaches relationships and mentorship. Julius sees parallels between managing teams and raising children. “Every child requires a different version of being a dad. I’ve had to pivot my fatherhood style to meet the needs of a 24-year-old versus a 10-year-old and model good behavior that I hope my kids will adopt. I demonstrate consistency and discipline by sticking to my runs even when I’m tired, and dedication by delivering my best while working from home.”
He adds that integrity is equally important, believing children learn not only from what parents say but from how they treat people around them. “My goal is to show them that a life to be proud of is built on doing what is right, not just what is easy,” he said.
He has also applied the same values with his team. “I’ve also adapted this into my leadership approach by living the right values, keeping communication lines open and providing constant feedback to my team.”
Over the years, Julius says the culture at Capital One Philippines has helped him sustain his priorities for both his career and family. He describes the company’s environment as one grounded in flexibility, respect, and genuine care for employees. “After 11 years, I feel supported not just as an associate, but as a whole person. The stability and people-first culture here have provided the peace of mind I need to be a stable provider for my family.”
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
SR Serna, an HR manager who has been with Capital One Philippines for over 12 years, has carried lessons from being a dad to the workplace.
“Fatherhood has taught me patience, humility, and being present to cherish moments that matter,” said SR, a dad to an eight-year-old daughter. “In a way, being a father made me a better HR leader. It has helped me become more understanding and to continue supporting people both professionally and personally.”
SR believes that there are times when ‘balance’ is not easily achievable. He makes an effort to stay mindful of the things that matter most – such as taking care of himself so he can continue to provide and spend quality time with his wife and daughter.
SR says another important lesson he learned from fatherhood is that children learn more from what they see than from what they hear. Working from home allows him to set an example firsthand.
“I try to model the values I want my daughter to grow up with,” he shared. Together with his wife, he reinforces valuable lessons through their daughter's academics and tennis training, where discipline and perseverance are recognized and rewarded.
He believes that fatherhood should leave a lasting legacy of stability, strong values, and love—principles that have also guided him in his career and leadership style. “At work, I hope to be remembered as a leader who genuinely cared for people, developed and mentored others, and led with integrity. As an HR practitioner, I would be grateful to be remembered as an impactful and strategic thought partner for the organization and for my HR team.”
SR says that the culture of trust, collaboration, and people-centered leadership at Capital One Philippines has allowed leaders like him to give 100% at work while valuing personal priorities. “The company’s focus on development, flexibility, and inclusion helped me become a better leader for my team and a better father for my family as it encourages balance and a continuous growth mindset,” he added.
The Takeaway
For these modern day dads, succeeding at work and at home isn’t about flawless time management—it's about protecting the moments they know they can't get back. And that becomes a lot easier because they’re part of an organization that treats their family calendar with the exact same respect as their high-stakes office projects.
Ready to find a workplace that respects your life outside work? Discover career opportunities and open roles at https://capitalonecareers.com.ph/.