Alice Eduardo’s success in the male-dominated construction industry is impressive on its own, but what makes her story truly remarkable is how she balances her thriving career with her role as a devoted mother and daughter. Eduardo’s approach to work-life balance offers valuable insights for professionals striving to juggle multiple responsibilities while maintaining strong family ties and personal well-being.

As the president and CEO of Sta. Elena Construction, Alice Eduardo’s professional life is undoubtedly demanding. Her days are filled with site visits, client meetings, and strategic planning sessions that require her full attention and expertise. The construction industry is known for its high-pressure environment, tight deadlines, and the need for constant problem-solving. Despite these challenges, Eduardo has managed to create a work routine that allows her to excel in her career without sacrificing her family life.
How Alice Eduardo approaches work-life balance

As an entrepreneur

In an interview with Philippine Tatler, Eduardo shared a glimpse into her typical workday: “I’m very hands-on with my projects and personally visit the sites. I often meet with my clients, my engineers and my staff in the afternoon as well, but I always make sure to be home for dinner with my family.” This statement reveals several key aspects of Eduardo’s approach to work-life balance:
Hands-on leadership: By personally visiting project sites, Eduardo demonstrates her commitment to her work and her hands-on leadership style. This approach likely allows her to make efficient decisions and maintain high standards in her projects.
Efficient time management: Scheduling meetings with clients, engineers, and staff in the afternoon suggests a structured approach to her workday, allowing her to manage her time effectively.
Prioritizing family time: The commitment to being home for dinner with her family shows that Eduardo places a high value on daily family interactions, making it a non-negotiable part of her schedule.

As a mother

Eduardo is a mother of three - Jacqueline, Jameson, and Jessica. When her children were younger, she structured her workday around their schedules, a strategy that many working parents can relate to but often find challenging to implement. She would leave for work only after her children had gone to school and make sure to be present for them after work. This approach allowed her to be fully present in their lives during their formative years, attending school events, helping with homework, and being there for important milestones.
What’s particularly noteworthy is Eduardo’s method of integrating her children into her professional life. She occasionally brought them to meetings and project site visits, exposing them to the world of business and construction from an early age. This approach served multiple purposes:
It allowed Eduardo to spend more time with her children even on busy workdays.
It educated her children about her work, helping them understand and appreciate her career.
It potentially inspired her children’s own career aspirations and work ethic.
As a daughter

Eduardo’s commitment to family extends beyond her children. She maintains a close relationship with her parents, having breakfast with them every day. This daily ritual demonstrates how she weaves family time into the fabric of her busy life, ensuring that she stays connected with her roots and the people who have supported her journey to success.
The importance of family in Eduardo’s life is also reflected in her home design. The entertainment area in the lower ground floor of her residence is where she spends most of her time with family. “My daughters with their cousins and friends love hanging out in this area, especially in the wine cellar!” she shares. This suggests that Eduardo has created a home environment that encourages family gatherings and social interactions, further strengthening family bonds.

On self-care

Despite her busy schedule, Eduardo recognizes the importance of self-care. Her new home includes a personal beauty salon where she can unwind and pamper herself. This highlights Eduardo’s understanding that maintaining personal well-being is crucial for managing the demands of both professional and family life. By carving out time for self-care, she ensures that she has the energy and positive mindset needed to give her best to both her work and her family.
Eduardo’s approach to work-life balance is not without its challenges. The construction industry often requires long hours and can be unpredictable, with project timelines and unexpected issues potentially disrupting carefully laid plans. However, Eduardo’s success suggests that she has found ways to navigate these challenges while maintaining her commitment to her family.
Some strategies that Eduardo likely employs to maintain this balance include:
Clear boundaries: By setting clear boundaries between work and family time, such as being home for dinner, Eduardo ensures that her family doesn’t get shortchanged by work demands.
Efficient delegation: As a CEO, Eduardo likely has a strong team that she trusts to handle many aspects of the business, allowing her to focus on the most critical tasks and freeing up time for her family.
Technology use: While not explicitly mentioned, it’s likely that Eduardo leverages technology to stay connected with both work and family when she can’t be physically present.
Prioritization: By focusing on what’s most important both at work and at home, Eduardo ensures that she’s making the most of her time in both spheres.
Flexibility: Eduardo’s approach suggests a degree of flexibility, adapting her schedule as needed to meet both work and family needs.
Eduardo’s story shows that success in business and dedication to family are not mutually exclusive. By prioritizing what matters most and creatively integrating family time into her daily routine, she has built both a thriving business and a close-knit family. Her approach serves as an inspiration for professionals seeking to achieve harmony between their personal and professional lives.
Moreover, Eduardo’s success in balancing her roles likely contributes to her effectiveness as a leader. Her strong family ties and commitment to personal well-being probably enhance her empathy, emotional intelligence, and resilience - all crucial qualities for effective leadership.
Alice Eduardo’s approach to work-life balance demonstrates that with careful planning, clear priorities, and a supportive environment, it is possible to excel in a demanding career while nurturing strong family relationships. Her story serves as a powerful example for professionals, particularly women in male-dominated fields, showing that it’s possible to have it all - a successful career, a loving family, and personal fulfillment.