Leaders and Partners:
QC Mayor Joy Belmonte and Ray Alimurung

15 February 2024 – Mayor Joy Belmonte and Ray Alimurung kicked off the MBC Leading Women series with a leadership discussion on how they blazed their own trails while supporting each other in the field of politics and business.

The couple shared how they do not debate or argue about the decisions they make because they both agreed early on that they will be living lives that give them purpose. “Automatically there is that support because we know that fulfilling our purpose is what will make each other happy,” Mayor Joy said.

At work, Ray said he tried to provide a clear, simple, and consistent vision and leave his colleagues to execute. “When you have that, people would naturally want to follow you because they are chasing after something greater than themselves”, he said.

Mayor Joy said one of her main jobs is to transform the local government and people’s perception of it. “There are a lot of negative connotations about people in government and I wanted to change that,” she said. “It was really important to me when I was elected mayor to win back the trust and confidence of the people. If the people don’t believe in your leadership, they will not be with you and you will not succeed.”

After heading Lazada Philippines, Ray had offers to work abroad but chose a local firm focused on Philippine investments in part to support Mayor Joy. “I think it is very clear that my priority is to support Joy in what she is doing. For traditional families, I guess you can say I am the wife but we have a very non-traditional marriage”, he said.

Atty. Reggie Jacinto-Barrientos, who led the discussion that afternoon, commented on the couple’s dynamic. She said, “You are not defined by gender roles. Instead, whoever is best in that situation or time is the one who fulfills it. There is an understanding and flexibility on both ends without having to ask.”

Paulo Campos, Kaya Founders Managing Partner and colleague to Ray, shared that he has seen how the pair have an extreme and genuine vision of helping the country.

MBC’s Leading Women series features CEOs (and government officials) who share experiences that may inspire other leaders — and future leaders.