Behind every milestone at Eight8Ate are people whose experience, dedication, and willingness to grow continue to move the organization forward. For Ryalph Vincent H. Jarapan, Assistant Vice President for Group Corporate Finance, and Juhn Bob T. Laurente, HR Analytics & Systems Manager, their journeys tell two different sides of the same story.
Different functions and different career paths, yet both share the same principles: continuous learning, passion for their work, collaboration, and a desire to contribute to something bigger.
Ryalph Vincent H. Jarapan: Leading Beyond the Numbers
From a Love for Numbers to Finance Leadership
Ryalph’s journey into Finance began long before his professional career. Growing up, Math was one of his favorite subjects, which eventually led him to consider Accountancy as a career. He had also considered Civil Engineering, but circumstances ultimately brought him toward Finance.
His professional journey began at SGV & Co., where one of the clients he handled was Conti’s. Working with the company gave him an early look at the organization and the people leading it. What eventually convinced him to join Eight8Ate was the ambition he saw from its leadership, particularly its aggressive approach toward growth and innovation.
Principles That Guide the Journey
Throughout his career, Ryalph has carried three working principles that continue to shape the way he approaches his responsibilities and leadership: “Never stop learning. Do what you love and love what you do. And teamwork.”
But as a Finance professional, there is another value he considers especially important: integrity. For Ryalph, integrity means doing what is right even when no one is watching.
More Than Just Numbers
Finance is often associated with reports, budgets, and figures. But for Ryalph, its role goes far beyond recording what has already happened. Its true value comes from “translating those numbers into meaningful information” that the business can actually use.
“We record historical transactions, but more importantly, we use those historical transactions to come up with lead indicators that help Operations make the right decisions.”
Balancing Discipline and Growth
Discipline means keeping the organization healthy through lean costs, efficiency, and strict budgeting. Growth and innovation, on the other hand, require the company to invest: in new stores, new concepts, new capabilities, and other opportunities.
For him, bringing the two together creates the right formula: a healthier and bigger company. One example came in 2025, when the organization faced challenges in profitability. Instead of leaving the concern to Finance alone, a GP task force brought different people together to brainstorm ways to improve food costs. The target was to bring food costs down by two percentage points.
Through collaboration and shared accountability, the team achieved that goal: showing how much can be accomplished when different functions work toward the same objective.
Growth Means New Opportunities
Eight8Ate’s continued expansion is also one of the things that keeps Ryalph motivated.From opening stores in new markets such as Cebu to developing concepts such as Better Coffee and Barn by Conti’s, growth brings new challenges: but also new opportunities to learn.
For his team, it also means opportunities to develop their careers. For Ryalph himself, coming to work means knowing that there will always be something different to encounter and something new to learn. Even difficult experiences can become learning opportunities.
Leadership Through “Coaching”
When asked to describe his leadership style in just one word, Ryalph chose: “COACHING.”
Earlier in his career, he also encountered responsibilities he did not immediately know how to handle. Having someone coach and guide him helped him develop. Today, he wants to provide that same opportunity to his teammates not simply telling them what to do, but helping them develop the skills and confidence they need to take on greater responsibilities.
It brings him back to the same principles that have guided his career: never stop learning, love what you do, and value teamwork.
And as Eight8Ate continues moving forward, his message to everyone behind that growth is simple: “Thank you for your everyday hard work and dedication.”
Juhn Bob T. Laurente: 18 Years of Growing with Eight8Ate
A Journey Built Through Experience
For JB, growth at Eight8Ate has been an 18-year journey. A BS Psychology graduate from UP Visayas who grew up in Aklan, JB began his career as a Recruitment Assistant, during a time when Conti’s had only a handful of stores.
The adjustment was not always easy. Recruitment came with early challenges including experiencing hires who would stay for only a week. These situations taught him that HR was not simply about hiring people. It required understanding both sides of the workplace and finding the right balance between employees and management.
But recruitment would only be the beginning of his journey.
Learning Every Step of the Way
JB eventually transitioned into training, where he gained the opportunity to learn from the founders of Conti’s, particularly about the importance of culture and people development.
From Training Assistant, he progressed into roles that allowed him to facilitate training and develop modules.
His career later brought him into different HR functions, including employee relations and documentation, as well as commissary training before eventually returning to broader training responsibilities.
From assistant to specialist, officer, senior training officer, and now HR Analytics & Systems Manager, his career reflects years of continuously learning and adapting. After 18 years, his recent promotion carries a deeper meaning.
“I’m thankful for being recognized for what I contributed over the past years. I’m excited for what’s ahead for me and for the growth of Eight8Ate.”
“There’s Always Something New”
For someone who has stayed with the organization for nearly two decades, what keeps him going? For JB, part of the answer is that “there’s always something new.”
Every new role brought another opportunity to learn. And as the organization itself became more ambitious, he also found renewed motivation. When Eight8Ate’s leadership shared the vision of bringing Conti’s and the organization to a wider market, JB wanted to be part of that journey.
Rather than seeing change as a reason to leave what was familiar, he saw it as another opportunity to grow alongside the company.
Developing “Diamonds in the Organization”
One of his professional mentors was his former HR Manager, Ms. Helen, who taught him a lesson that has stayed with him throughout his years in HR: “If I train people, I’ll make sure that they become diamonds in the organization.”
Passion, Purpose, and Servant Leadership
After 18 years and several different HR roles, JB continues to return to one principle: “Love what you are doing.”
“Have passion in the work that we do. Make sure you understand the reason why you are doing it.”
Another lesson that shaped his approach came from one of Conti’s founders, Ms. Angie, who emphasized the importance of taking care of people’s values and practicing servant leadership.
A New Chapter in People Analytics
Now, as HR Analytics & Systems Manager, JB enters another chapter of that journey.
His message to fellow Eight8Ate employees captures the philosophy that has kept him moving forward:
“Continue to love what you’re doing and enjoy your growth in this organization, because there are a lot of opportunities.”
Numbers and People, One Journey Forward
Ryalph and JB represent two different but equally important sides of Eight8Ate. Finance turns numbers into decisions. HR turns opportunities into people development.
One helps ensure that growth is financially sound and sustainable. The other helps ensure that the people growing alongside the organization continue to learn and develop.
Yet despite their different paths, their stories meet at the same point.
Never stop learning. Love what you do. Work with others. Help people grow.
Because behind every number is a decision. Behind every system is a person. And behind every milestone at Eight8Ate are people who continue to learn, contribute, and grow together.
