TO FOLLOW
Frank Vibar Chief Information Technology Officer (CIO) Asian Hospital and Medical Center
Editorial Note
Cra ing a Future Where Innova on Serves Humanity
Inthisspecialeditionof Philippines Business Leader to Follow,weshineaspotlighton
aninspiringfigurewhoseworkexemplifiestheevolvingspiritofmodernleadershipin thecountry:FrankVibar.Hisstory,capturedin“TheTechSteward:FrankVibar's LeadershipJourneytoHumanizeInnovation,”offersfarmorethanaprofessionalbiography —itpresentsaphilosophyofleadershipgroundedinpurpose,empathy,andmeaningful transformation.
WhatmakesFrankVibarcompellingisnotsimplyhisextensiveexperienceinthe technologysector,buthiscommitmenttoensuringthatinnovationremainshumanatits core.Inaneradominatedbyautomation,digitalacceleration,andefficiencymetrics,Vibar advocatesforsomethingdeeper:technologythatelevatespeople,enhancesexperiences,and fostersconnection.Hedemonstratesthatprogressshouldnotbemeasuredsolelyinprofitor platformexpansion,butinthepositiveimpactmadeonindividuals,communities,andthe cultureoforganizations.
Throughouthisjourney,fromleadingtechnologyinitiativesinmajorbrandstoshaping forward-thinkingstrategicprograms,Vibarhasconsistentlyemphasizedresponsibility, stewardship,andethicalleadership.Hisapproachremindsusthateverytechnological decisionhasahumanconsequence,andleadersmusttakethatresponsibilityseriously This perspectiveisespeciallyvitalinthePhilippines,whereinnovationisrapidlyreshaping industriesandcreatingunprecedentedopportunitiesforgrowth.
FeaturingFrankVibarinthisissueisalsoarecognitionofabroadershiftinthePhilippine businessenvironment.Anewgenerationofleadersisemerging—leadersdrivennotonly byambitionbutbyintention.Theyvalueintegrityovervisibility,collaborationover competition,andlong-termvalueovershort-termgain.Theyareprovingthatbusiness successandhumanprogressdonotneedtoexistinseparateworlds.
Asyouexplorethisfeature,weencourageyoutolookbeyondtitlesandachievements,and insteadconsiderthemindsetandvaluesshapingthisjourney.FrankVibar'sexamplecallsus toask:Howdoweleadwithpurpose?Howcaninnovationtrulyservehumanity?Andwhat legacydowechoosetobuildthroughourwork?
Thiseditioncelebratesleadershipthatcreateschange,notjustadvancement.Mayitinspire youtothinkdifferently,actboldly,andleadwithintentioninyourownfield.
08. T H E S I G N A T U R E S T O R Y
The Tech Steward: Frank Vibar's Leadership Journey to Humanize Innovation
Leadership by Design
Creating Systems, Cultures, and Strategies that Deliver Results
The Future-Ready Leader
Mastering Adaptability in an Era of Digital Disruption and Accelerated Change
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The Tech Steward:
FRANK
VIBAR’S
Leadership Journey to Humanize Innovation
Frank Vibar Chief Information Technology Officer (CIO) Asian Hospital and Medical Center
ANK THE SIGNA TURE ST OR Y
The future of healthcare lies in innovations that empower every individual caregiving professional.Italldependsonwhatrole business leadership plays in the technovation space. Particularly when we look at some of the fastest developing countries like the Philippines, a league led by some extraordinary healthtech leaders of Frank Vibar’s kind, showcases the possibility of a tomorrow where healthcare innovations will become a normratherthanararity
A highly experienced IT leader, Frank holds a successful record of more than 25 years. A certified business transformation catalyst, he has led mission-critical programs that have brought quantifiable improvements in operational effectiveness and customer experience to top brands such as Starbucks Philippines and Jollibee FoodsCorporation.
Currently, as Chief Information Technology Officer, aka CIO of Asian Hospital and Medical Center, and formerlyasGroupCIOofMetroPacific Health Philippines' largest private networkofhospitals—Frankisutilizing his experience to transform healthcare. Hiseffortshavecenteredoncreatingan end-to-end IT Strategic Roadmap and harmonizing technology, data, and processes for the network of hospitals acrossthecountry
Ranging from TOGAF Enterprise Architecture,PMP,CISM,andCertified ScrumMaster,anextensiveportfolioof international qualifications reflects Frank's profound specialist knowledge covering anything from security and project management to agile delivery An ardent believer in lifelong learning, heisdedicatedtoemployingtechnology asacatalystforinnovation,growth,and inspiring teams to deliver with excellenceandpurpose.
Humanizing
technology—aligning innovations with the values and work ows of the people who use them.
GainingaCrystalizedVision
When he reflects on his career, one pivotal moment that shapedhisvisionasaleadercomestomind.Itwasduringhis time leading Metro Pacific Health’s digital transformation across more than 25 hospitals nationwide. He had already worked with world-class organizations like IBM, Sun Microsystems, Unilab, Jollibee, and Starbucks Philippines. However, the MPH experience was different it was a missionthatwentbeyondtechnology
Frankrecalls,“Weweretaskedwithbuildingaunifieddigital roadmapforarapidlyexpandinghospitalnetwork,eachwith itsownsystems,culture,andchallenges.Thecomplexitywas enormous: we needed to integrate Electronic Medical Records, ERP systems, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and patient-facing solutions, all while navigating varied levelsofdigitalmaturity.”
The turning point came when he realized that the real transformation wasn’t about rolling out systems—it was about aligning people. Frank and his team traveled to each hospital, listened to their challenges, and co-created solutions. This hands-on approach taught him that the most sustainable digital strategies are those built on trust, collaboration,andinclusivity
That experience crystallized Frank’s vision: technology leadership is not about imposing solutions from the top down—it’s about empowering people to embrace change as theirown.
HumanizingTechnology
Frank believes that digital transformation is as much about peopleasitisabouttechnology Hearguesthattechnologyis onlyaseffectiveastheindividualswhouseit.Ineveryrole, from leading Starbucks Philippines' technology overhaul to hiscurrentpositionatAsianHospitalandMedicalCenter,he prioritizes open communication, empathy, and listening. He ensures that clinicians, frontline staff, and executives understandthe"why"behindaninitiative,notjustthe"how."
AtAsianHospital,Frank'sfocusisonhownewsystemswill make life better for both patients and staff. "Will it shorten waitingtimes?Willithelpdoctorsmakefaster,moreaccurate diagnoses? Will it remove redundant tasks so nurses can spendmoretimewithpatients?"heasks.Forhim,thekeyisto humanizetechnology—aligninginnovationswiththevalues and workflows of the people who use them. Hence, transformation is something they drive together rather than somethingtheyfeelisbeingdonetothem.
ALeadershipAnchoredinCare
When asked about the values that anchor his leadership, Frank’s answer is simple and profound: genuine care. This care extends to his people, the mission of the organization, andtheimpacthecreates.Hehasfoundthatwhiletechnical skills are essential, they are not enough. Teams truly rally behind leaders who are genuinely invested in their success, growth,andwell-being.
"Whenyourteamfeelsthatyou'reinvestedinthem—notjust inthebottomline—theywillgoaboveandbeyond,"hestates. This philosophy has shaped every career decision he has made,fromimplementingtechnologyatStarbuckstocreating inclusive and accessible systems in healthcare, ensuring no oneisleftbehindinthedigitalshift.
ALeadertoFollow
For Frank, being a "leader to follow" is about being a role model, not just a decision-maker. It means setting a high standardinbothvisionandbehavior InSoutheastAsia,with itsdiversemarketsandrapidgrowth,hebelievesleadersmust combineaglobalperspectivewithlocalsensitivity
"A leader to follow understands the nuances of the region while pushing for innovation that meets world-class standards," he states. He insists on showing consistency between words and actions. If he advocates for agility, he mustbeagilehimself.Ifhetalksaboutinnovation,hemustbe
A leader to follow understands the nuances of the region while pushing for innovation that meets world-class standards.
willing to take calculated risks and learn from failures. For him, true leadership is about integrity and inclusivity— ensuringthattransformationbenefitsnotonlythebusinessbut alsoemployees,customers,andthecommunityatlarge.
CultivatingInnovation
Frankbelievesthemostpowerfulwaytocultivateinnovation andadaptabilitywithinateamistoleadbyexample.Whena teamseesitsleadertakingboldstepsandadaptingquickly,it setsatonewherecalculatedrisk-takingandcreativityarenot justencouraged,butexpected.
AtAsianHospital,FrankchampionsAIinitiativesthatdeliver a meaningful impact. His approach is disciplined: start with targetedpilotstodemonstraterealvaluebeforescaling."This method allowed us to innovate with purpose—maximizing the resources we already had, minimizing unnecessary risk, and creating early wins that built confidence across the organization,"heexplains.Bydemonstratingthatchangecan bebothboldandstrategic,hehasempoweredhisteamtothink bigger,actfaster,andadaptseamlesslytouncertainty
LeadingThroughCrisis
ThemostchallengingperiodofFrank’scareerwastheheight oftheCOVID-19pandemic.AsGroupCIOofMetroPacific Health, he was entrusted with building digital systems to support the hospital network’s response. The stakes were monumental,withpeople'slivesdependingonthespeedand accuracyofhisteam'swork.
The CIO’s role is to be both a strategic architect and a responsible steward of technology.
Astandout initiative was the SAFIFYVaccination Platform.Facingintensetimepressure,Frankhadto makeacriticaldecision:buildtheplatformrapidly in-house or partner with an external vendor. Trusting in his team's capabilities, he chose the inhouseroute,achoicethatdemandedrelentlesswork andsleeplessnights.Theysucceededbecausethey stayed united “That experience reinforced my beliefthatincrises,clarity,trust,andsharedpurpose areyourmostpowerfultools,”henotes.
ArchitectinganInclusiveFuture
In the rapidly digitalizing landscape of the Philippines, Frank believes the CIO's role is to be bothastrategicarchitectandaresponsiblesteward of technology He emphasizes the need to drive innovationinawaythatbridges,ratherthanwidens, thedigitaldivide.
Forhim,inclusivetechadoptionrequiresafocuson accessibility, affordability, and adaptability A solution that works in a major city like Metro Manila might need to be re-engineered for rural areaswithlimitedinfrastructure.Equallycriticalis sustainability, which involves selecting scalable and energy-efficient technologies. Ultimately, FrankbelievestheCIO’sroleistoensurethatdigital transformation serves a greater purpose— empowering not just shareholders, but also employees,customers,andsocietyatlarge.
The most in uential tech leaders are those who don’t just chase trends—they shape the future while staying rooted in what truly matters.
APhilosophyForgedbyExperience
Frank'sleadershipphilosophyisatapestrywovenfromarich mix of mentors, diverse industry experiences, and personal moments. Early in his career at IBM, he was mentored by leaders who instilled in him the values of precision, discipline,andcustomerfocus.AtUnilab,heexperiencedthe true meaning of genuine care, or "malasakit," a value he credits with shaping him into a true leader. Working at Starbucks taught him the real essence of partnership and collaborationindeliveringthebestcustomerexperience.
However,themostprofoundinfluencecamefromhisworkin healthcare."Seeingfirsthandhowtechnologycanimproveor evensaveliveschangedthewayIviewleadership,"hesays. "It’s not just about delivering a project on time—it’s about makingameaningfuldifference."Heconsiderstheteamshe has worked with to be his greatest teachers, as he's learned fromwatchingthemgrowandovercomechallenges.
TheCompassofPurpose
In a high-pressure role, Frank maintains his personal clarity andresiliencebyintentionallysettingasidetimeforreflection andstrategicthinking.Hecarvesoutmoments—oftenduring his regular walks and runs—to re-evaluate priorities and ensure he is focused on what truly matters. For him, a
combination of exercise, proper rest, and mindfulness practicesiskeytomanagingstressandmaintainingfocus.
Most importantly, he keeps his perspective by remembering his"why."Ineveryindustryhe'sserved,heanchorshimselfto theultimategoal.Inhealthcare,it'salwaysbeenaboutbetter patient outcomes. In retail, it was about creating memorable customerexperiences.Thisstrongsenseofpurposeservesas his compass, guiding him through every challenge and decision.
ALegacyofPurpose
In a final address to the next generation of Filipino tech leaders, Frank Vibar offers a simple but powerful message: "Leadwithpurpose,deliverwithpassion,adaptwithcourage, andneverstoplearning."
Headvisesthemthatwhiletechnologywillcontinuetoevolve atlightningspeed,trueleadershipisaboutmorethankeeping up with the latest tools. It's about understanding people, solving real problems, and creating lasting impact He encourages them to be curious and to be humble, acknowledging that they don't have all the answers. Most importantly, he tells them to be guided by their values, as skillscanbelearned,butintegrity,empathy,andresilienceare whatwillsetthemapart.
Asheconcludeshissaga,Frankremindsusallthatthemost influentialtechleadersarenotthosewhosimplychasetrends. Theyaretheoneswhoshapethefuturewhilestayingrootedin whattrulymatters.
Creating SYSTEMS,CULTURES, and Strategies that DELIVER RESULTS
Today,leadershipshouldnotbeanactof improvisation;itshouldbeanactofintention.The environment,whichiscomplex,rapidlychanging, andwithrisingexpectations,doesnotseeeffectiveleaders onlyrelyingontheirpersonality,instinct,orcharisma.They leadbydesign.Theyefficientlyleadbyshapingsystems, cultivatingcultures,andconstructingstrategiesthat harmonizepeople,purpose,andperformance.
Leadershipbydesignrepresentstheleadershipthatis structured,thoughtful,andderivedfromdeepknowledgeof thefunctioningoforganizationsandthenatureofpeople whichhappenstobetheoppositeofaccidentalleadership. Itisonethatusescreativityanddiscipline,visionand planning,andempathyandexecutiontomakealasting changethatissustainableovertime.
DesigningSystemsThatEnableSuccess
Topleadersunderstandthatresultsarenotonlythefruitsof hardwork;rathersystemsaretherealdrivers.Properly designedsystemsnotonlyenableperformance,butthey alsosupportit.Ifsystemsarepoorlydesigned,theycause trouble,bewilderment,andstagnation.
Leadershipbydesignupgradingagenciestobetterserve clarity,efficiency,andscalabilityistheessenceof constructingthosesystems.Itisallabouttheprocessesof thework,theflowsofcommunication,theframeworksfor decision-making,andthestructuresforperformance. Leaderswhohavetheabilitytodesignefficientsystems allowtheteamstheyleadtobemorerapidinaction,tobe effectiveinthecollaboration,andtogeneratethedesired resultsconsistently
Systemsserveastheinvisibleframeworkthatpropels successallovertheorganization.
CreatingCulturesThatShapeBehavior
Culturedoesnotcomeaboutthroughslogansormission statements,butitistheproductofdeliberatedesign.Those leaderswhoknowthesignificanceofculture,perceiveitas astrategicassetthatbehaviors,mindsets,collaboration,and innovationaretheoutcomesofit.
Gainingthesupportofculturesthatarebasedontrust, inclusion,accountability,andpurpose,leadersdirectthe cognitionandconductofthepeopleineverysingleday. Theyexemplifythevaluesthattheyanticipateseeing,and thus,theyfortifythemthroughcontact,endorsement,and commonlypracticedrituals.
Properlypreparedculturebecomesanimpactpower amplifier.Itenergizesmorale,engagesdeeply,attractsthe crèmedelacrèmeofthelabormarket,andgalvanizesthe peopletogivetheirbestwork.Itisthecoreofboththe organization'sidentityanditsperformance.
Leadership by Design
IntegratingPeopleandPerformance
Leadershipbydesignunderstandsthatcompaniesare successfulwhenemployeesaresuccessful.Itconnects people'sneedswiththecompany'sgoals,i.e.balancing empathywithaccountabilityanddevelopmentwith performance.
Leaders,asamatteroftheirwill,supportthegrowthof theiremployees,respectthem,andempowerthem.They notonlycreateopportunitiesfordevelopment,butalsoset clearstandardsandgivethefeedbackthatleadsto betterment.
Performance,infact,becomestheresultofavalue-creating andcontributivecycle.
BuildingResilienceThroughThoughtfulArchitecture
Resilientcompaniesarenottheresultofaluckyaccident, butrather,intentionalleadershipplaysakeyroleintheir
formation.Executivesputtogetherthestructuresthatcan stillfunctiondespitechange,reacttonewcircumstances andbeabletogoinanotherdirectionifsomething unexpectedhappensquickly
Amongotherthings,thisstrategywouldincludethe flexibilityofprocesses,theempowermentoflowerlevels fordecision-makingandthefacilitationofworkbetween theemployeesbytheuseofteamwork.Leaderswhoare readyforthefuturefocusonthestabilityoftheirventure evenwhileitisundergoingtransformation.
Thestateofbeingresilientcanbeutilizedasacompetitive advantage,allowingtheteamstoperformatahighlevel evenintimesofcrisisanduncertainty
CultivatingInnovationbyDesign
Innovationisnotarareeventthatcomestoasuddenstand, butratheraprocessthatrequirestrea.theelementssuchas creativity,thespiritoftestingandcuriosity Theremovalof barriers,theprovisionofpsychologicalsafetyandthe givingoffreedomtotheteamtoexplorenewideasare amongthemeasuresthattheleaderswhoplanfor innovationwouldtake.
Suchleadersstructuretheirorganizationsinawaythat individualinitiativeisrewarded,collaborationbetween differentdepartmentsorfunctionsissupportedandlearning iscelebrated—evenwhentheresultisfailure.
Innovationbecomesintegratedintheorganization'ssystem ratherthanbeingaseparate,isolatedeffort.
LeadershipasaCreativeProcess
Inessence,leadershipthroughdesignisacreativeact. Leadersenvisionandcreatenotonlytheexperiencesbut therelationships,structuresandroadsthatarethepeople's feelingsandworkgettingdone.Theyarethearbitersnot onlyofvisionbutalsoofexecution,hencefromonehand theyaffectthecurrentandsimultaneouslytheyarebuilding thefuture.
Leadershipthroughdesignisaforcewhichcontinually generatesnotjustfunctioningbutflourishingorganizations. Itbringsaboutthealignmentofsystemswithstrategy, culturewithpurposeandpeoplewithpotentiality.Itisthe mechanismthroughwhichleadershipisturnedfroma reactiveintoatransformativemode.
The Future-Ready Leader
Theforcesthatarereshapingthedefinitionof leadershiptodayhaveneverbeenseenbeforeinthe world.Itisdifficulttokeepupwiththespeedsthat theseforcesarecausingthechangesintheindustriestobethesespeedsaredigitaldisruption,globaluncertainty, shiftingworkforceexpectations,andrapidtechnological advancement.Insuchaworld,itisnottheleaderswhohold totheirtraditionalwaysthataresuccessful,butthosewho changethemselves.Theyareveryflexibleintheirchange, veryeasytounderstandinaverycomplicatedsituation, and,moreover,areabletoturnanuncertainsituationintoa verypromisingone.
Suchaleaderistheoneoftomorrownotonlyreadyfor change,theyareinfactchange-proof.Theyarevery
Mastering Adaptability in an Era of Digital Disruption and AcceleratedChange
adaptabletothesituationathand,fullofcuriosityanduse theirstrategicforesighttoseebeyondtheobviousbecause theyunderstandthatresilienceandbeingabletoreinvent oneselfaretwooftheveryfewattributesthatareleftto themiftheywanttosurvive.
AdaptabilityastheCoreLeadershipCompetency
Astheworldismovingwithsuchaspeedthatwhatusedto workyesterdaycannotbeevenconsideredtoday, adaptabilityhasbecometheultimateleadership differentiator.Leaderspreparedforthefutureoftheworld willneverbeatalossbecauseofthefactthattheydonot welcomebutactuallyanticipate,conformwithand capitalizeuponthecomingchanges.
Adaptability,toaleader,holdsthepowertoenablesucha persontochangethegameplan,recognizethevalueof certainthingsthatseeminglydonotneedtobetested,and fromthereproceedwiththemakingofnew,innovative,and bolddecision.Itgivesthepowertothemtobestillontop ofthegameandinfullcapacityeveninthecasewhenthe verygroundthattheyarestandingonischanging.Instead ofresistingtheforcedchanges,theytakeonthatchallenge anduseitasasourceforfurthertransformation.
Thiswayofthinkingchangesthestateofnotknowingfrom apotentialdangertoapossiblepositivegrowthfactor
NavigatingDigitalDisruptionWithStrategicForesight
Nowadays,digitaltransformationcanhardlyberegardedas aproject-itisaconstanttransitiontowardsanewstate.AI, automation,virtualwork,anddata-drivendecision-making arejustafewexamplesofthenumerouswaystechnologyis changingtherulesofthegamefororganizations.Leaders readyforthefuturewillseeadigitaldisruptionasa technologicalshiftthathashappenedinthecultureofthe organizationnotinthetechnicalone.
Beingstrategicaboutthefuturemeans,forthem,always beinguptodatewiththelatesttechnological breakthroughs,understandingnotonlyhowbutalsowhat aretheeffectsofthosebreakthroughs,andknowingexactly whenandwheretobringinnewtechnologytoachievethe organization'sgoals.Inorderforthepeopletobereadyand notscaredofthenewworkingtoolsandways,they promotedigitalliteracythroughoutalltheteamsand departmentsandthentheygoonandtheyactuallyorganize trainingsessionsetc.
Bycombiningtechnologywithahuman-centricstrategy, theseleadersbecomechampionsofbuildingnotonly forward-lookingbutalsodeeplyentrenchedorganizations.
EmpoweringTeamsWithTrustandAutonomy
Inquicklyshiftingscenarios,itisoutofthequestionthat leaderscontrolandregulateeachdecision.Leaders competentinfacingfuturechallenges,trustandempower theirteamsbygivingthemthefreedomtheydeserve, believingintheirproficiency,andenablingtheir independence.
Theycreateasurroundingenvironmentinwhichpeopleare willingtomakedecisions,takerisks,andsharetheir
thoughts.Thisempowerment,inadditiontogreatly enhancingexecution,actsasasourceofinnovation.
Trustisoneofthemainpillarsoforganizationalagilitythat enablesteamstoreacttodisruptionfastandinacreative manner
BalancingSpeedwithStrategicDepth
Thefuturecallsforbothquickmovesandcarefully thought-outplans.Leaderswhoarereadyforthefutureare capableofbalancingspeedwithstrategy Theyquicklytake actionswhenthereareopeningsforbusinessbutatthe sametime,theyaredeeplyconnectedwiththelong-term vision.
Theyknowperfectlywellwhentospeedup,whentostop, andwhentochangedirection.Suchabalanceisan excellentpreventionofreactiveleadershipandatthesame time,itallowsforsustainableprogress.Italsoguarantees thatrapidchangedoesnotunderminethequality,purpose, ortheintegrityoftheorganization.
ReinventingLeadershipforaTransformativeFuture
Thecharacteristicofthefutureleaderisnotcontrolbut agility.Notcertaintybutadaptability.Nottraditionbut transformation.Withforesight,theylead;withclarity,they makedecisions;withconfidence,theyadapt.Theyenergize theteamsbygivingthemasenseofpurpose,providethem withtrustandtherebyenablethem,and,finally,through constantlearning,theyraisetheirlevel.
Adaptability,intheeraofdigitaldisruptionandaccelerated change,isnolongermerelyaresponse,butastrategy
