Year of the Franc Bente

“Tired, but Grateful. That’s my 2025 in a nutshell.”

I’ve been writing these yearly recaps for 20 years now. At the moment, both my body and mind are in recovery mode after everything this year threw my way—which says a lot about how eventful 2025 has been. With that, let’s look back at the highlights of the year.

1) CFO Finance Leaders Summit (February 2025)

Sustainability was among my favorite topics. I am glad to simplify Sustainability and ESG to a group of CFOs and Finance Heads on a Solo speaking role at the event at Fortinus Events CFO Finance Leaders Summit.

2) Birthday (March 2025)

While I don’t have grand celebrations lately, I’m happy to spend my Birthday at my home town in Baguio with a little bit of tour and over a simple barbeque and street foods type of party.

3) Certificate of Sustainability for Finance (March to April 2025)

Over 5 weekends and a total of 40 hours and 1 certification exam, I got my Certificate of Sustainability for Finance (CertSF). After finishing the course, it felt like seeing things with a different lens with sustainability as a factor in decision making.

4) RT & Co Run (April 2025)

It’s always a dream to organize an event in Ayala and RT & Co run was that event. Despite a short window of preparation, we were able to pull it off complete with celebrity guests. If I had a gift to my former auditor self, it is through initiating a healthy lifestyle to a new breed of auditors.

5) Singapore AGM and Cambodia Trip (April – May 2025)

If my work life is a series, AGM is where I end and begin a season. It’s always a challenge to face shareholders and present the Annual Report. This year, also spent a few days in Cambodia for work.

6) ACPAFSI (May 2025)

After finishing my course on Sustainability Finance, I joined ACPAFSI. While the initial plan was just to be a member, I would end up to be an officer after a few months and was able to contribute in the events of the Group.

7) Personal Finance Talk with Hyvesports (June 2025)

This was one of my simplest yet most impactful talk. I always design my personal finance sessions around creating lifestyle shifts that lead to real savings. What made this one special was how it opened the door for honest conversations—people, myself included, shared struggles we don’t usually talk about.

8) Corporate Treasurer Sustainability talk (June 2025)

This has to be one talk I’m really proud of as I shared the panel with Ayala and BPI heads and one happens to be my Ateneo Grad School Professor. I like how they formatted the talks on treasury on key topics like uncertainty, forex, technology and sustainability. It was the last talk and it also got featured in the Corporate Treasurer newsletter.

9) Dan’s Fast Forward Outdoors (July 2025)

Eight hundred participants, 300 trees planted, and thousands of kilometers run and hiked over two days in Batangas. It’s always an impactful weekend when you bring together a trail talk, trail runs, tree planting, a trail race, and plenty of trail challenges. Making it even more meaningful was having our employees join in on the experience.

10) Digital CFO Sustainability Talk (July 2025)

I joined the panel for a sustainability talk, and it was a great experience. It’s always refreshing to exchange ideas with fellow finance leaders, and I truly enjoyed this one—we could have talked for hours and still not run out of topics.

11) Sustainability Talk at Medtecs (September 2025)

Initiated a sustainability talk at Medtecs, which also kicked start each department setting their own sustainability plan and some of this plans has already been converted into actions.

12) National Teachers College (September 2025)

I really like talking to students because they have a lot to learn and really open to learning. The topic was technology in finance and how it is impacting the working capital for students of National Teachers College. I also enjoyed the interactive Q&A session.

13) Stryde Run Media Launch (September 2025)

Stryde Run has always been my dream venue for an event—the terrain, the views, and the overall experience are exactly what I had envisioned. It was fulfilling to finally share that vision with running groups, the media, and our sponsors, and even more so to see the OG runners truly appreciate it.

14) NU MOA Talk (September 2025)

I really enjoyed this topic and a bit more different from my usual talks. The talk was moving and it had a really interactive with a lot of Q&A. It was like giving my younger self an advice on leadership. It just feels so empowering influencing a younger audience.

15) 2 Day Sustainability Summit

I took on the role of Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for ACPAFSI, contributing to fundraising efforts and attracting participants to the summit. The event itself was well-structured, covering regulatory updates, upcoming standards, best practices, and the transformation journeys of auditing firms.

16) Philstar Feature on Stryde Run (October 2025)

I’ve been featured in several magazines and news outlets, but I really appreciated this one. It didn’t just highlight Stryde Run—it also explored my advocacies in running, nature, and sustainability, and how these passions connect to my work, my life, and even risk management. Years from now, I’m going to read this article again and still appreciate the advocacy.

17) SGV Run (October 2025)

I played a behind-the-scenes role at SGV, assisting with route preparation and coordinating with sponsors. Beyond the experience itself, I was especially glad to be part of this event as an SGV alum.

18) Cambodia (November 2025)

I spent a week in Cambodia on a joint trip with our auditors from Singapore, the Philippines, and Taiwan. It was an exhausting week, but I’m glad we were able to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming year-end audit.

19) Stryde Run (November 2025)

If there’s one event that consumed most of my time this year, it was Stryde Run. It was a bittersweet journey—full of obstacles and even a rescheduling due to the typhoon. Yet, seeing the smiles on participants’ faces and hearing their feedback about how epic the race was made every challenge worthwhile.

20) ACPAFSI GRI Training / Christmas Party

Wearing my Chairman of Ways and Means hat for ACPAFSI, I helped raise funds for the event. I really enjoyed the GRI talk on considering Impact Materiality alongside Financial Materiality, and we shaped a new vision for a future where sustainability is a way of life. I also facilitated the party games, making sure everyone had fun. By the end of the day, my role shifted from Committee Chairman to Director.

Toward 2026

On another note, I continued my daily #ProjectFranc365 into its third year, heading into the fourth in 2026. While 2025 was a heavy year, I realized the importance of carving out time for myself and personal activities—starting with an international hike in Northern Thailand in January 2026. I know 2026 will be exciting and full of events, but for now, I’m choosing to live it moment by moment.