Ms. Lailani Frencillo,
Associate Director, Standard Chartered Bank, Dubai, UAE
I come from humble beginnings, born into a family of 12 siblings where every day was a battle to make ends meet. As the second eldest, I shouldered the weight of responsibility early on, juggling work, studies, and the role of a provider. With the grace of God and my father’s unwavering support, I embarked on a journey that brought me to Dubai, where I secured a job at the Emirates Gold Club as a receptionist. It was the kindness of our patrons that opened doors for me to transition into the banking sector.
Despite the hurdles, I persisted, ascending the ranks from a call center agent to eventually becoming a sales executive. However, after a decade, my banking career encountered a setback. Luck smiled upon me when a friend lent a helping hand, introducing me to ETEEAP, who offered flexible options for me. As a working professional, the ability to balance my studies and career was paramount. The program afforded me the opportunity to learn and progress at my own pace without compromising my professional commitments. With their guidance, I enrolled at Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas -ETEEAP program where I pursued my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing.
Through unwavering dedication and hard work, I graduated with flying colors. I am profoundly grateful to God for guiding me through every step of this journey, for not only advancing my career but also enabling me to support and reunite my family here in Dubai. To all who supported me along the way, particularly my family, my supportive husband Ruel, our beautiful daughter Zoe, and our little angel Zia, your unwavering faith in me has been my driving force. Thank you for being part of my journey and standing by me through every triumph and challenge.