One year ago, EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) Philippines expanded its presence in the country by opening its newest center in Cebu, a strategic move to tap into the Visayas region’s world-class talent pool. Located in the bustling Cebu Business Park, the office was launched with the aim of enhancing the organization’s network and offering new tech opportunities for highly skilled Sugbuanon professionals. As the Cebu center marks its first anniversary, EY GDS professionals reflect on a year of remarkable growth, collaboration and impact on both local and global levels.
The Cebu center opened in October 2023 with a clear vision—to deliver top-tier services for the EY organization in areas such as tax, assurance and consulting, while creating opportunities for local talent to engage with a highly connected global network and ecosystem. Over the past year, the center has become a thriving hub of professional development, growing in both size and capability, and contributing significantly to the EY GDS global network of over 70,000 professionals.
Shaping the future of Sugbuanons with confidence
Reflecting on the Cebu center’s success, EY GDS Philippines Location Leader Nitin Dhavale emphasizes that the first anniversary is just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead. “Our Cebu team has made remarkable strides in its first year, providing innovative solutions and fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration. Sugbuanon professionals are known to be very hardworking, innovative and highly committed to their craft. Their dedication has not only contributed to the global success of EY GDS but also to local initiatives and communities through our corporate responsibility programs. We are happy to continue providing our people with better opportunities to help shape their exceptional EY experience.”
The exceptional EY experience
“Being part of the Cebu center’s journey in its first year has been incredibly rewarding,” says Bashron Dicol, Senior Consultant under Business Consulting’s Enterprise Risk Third Party Risk Management team. “Not only have I experienced personal growth, but I have also seen how our team has become a key contributor in global projects. What makes this experience even more special is the friendships I’ve built with my colleagues along the way.”
Bashron’s story is emblematic of the Cebu center’s growth and the role it plays in supporting EY member firms around the world.
At the heart of the EY GDS Philippines Cebu center’s success is its emphasis on creating a dynamic and inclusive work environment. Professionals are encouraged to collaborate across global teams, pursue their passions and take on diverse challenges that help enhance their skills. The flexibility offered by the organization also allows its professionals to maintain a balance between their work and personal lives.
“I came to work initially for financial reasons, but now, I go to work because of the people. The team spirit at EY GDS Philippines Cebu is better, and it’s the camaraderie that excites me to come in every day,” Bashron proudly adds.
Danessa Delima, Senior Business Analyst for ServiceNow under Technology Consulting, echoes this sentiment. “When you execute tasks well, you naturally expand your influence within the team. This responsibility is something I take seriously, and I try to inspire others to do the same. My first year at the Cebu center has taught me the importance of leading by example, and it’s something I’m proud to carry forward.”
Danessa also highlights the work-life integration EY GDS Philippines offers. “As someone who now resides in Bohol, I cherish the flexibility that EY GDS provides us. I enjoy the ‘buhay probinsya’ (life in the province) lifestyle, but I also value the chance to meet with my team regularly. This balance allows me to remain productive without compromising my wellbeing.”
For Franchette Laurente, Senior Associate and point of contact for Workplace Enablement Services and Operations, joining EY GDS Philippines marked a new beginning. After a two-year hiatus, she found the Cebu center to be a place of personal healing and professional growth.
“What makes my career with EY GDS exceptional is knowing that our Cebu professionals consider me as the “heart and soul” of the Cebu center. My heart fills with pride knowing that they acknowledge me and my contributions at work and appreciate it,” she expresses gratefully. Her experience reflects how the EY GDS Philippines Cebu center has cultivated an environment where individuals feel seen, appreciated and valued.
Nitin Dhavale sums up the sentiments aptly, saying, “As we look to the future, the challenge is to keep up the momentum—shaping not just careers for Filipino talent, but also supercharging our purpose of building a better working world.”
Be part of building a better working world with EY GDS Philippines. To learn more, visit https://www.ey.com/en_ph/careers/global-delivery-services
