By Zenia Pearl V. Nicolas
At the heart of every company lies a simple yet profound truth: people are not just assets—they are the soul of the organization.
This was the essence of the powerful opening keynote delivered by Nerissa Berba, Chief People Officer of Security Bank, during the highly anticipated hrX Philippines 2025 held at Grand Hyatt Manila. In a world eager to chase digital acceleration, Berba brought us back to the core—why we do what we do, and who we’re doing it for.
Starting with People
“Why do we start with people?” Berba asked the crowd. It wasn’t rhetorical—it was reflective.
In a time where performance metrics and AI dashboards dominate boardroom conversations, Security Bank took a different path. They decided to focus on what mattered most—their people.
Berba shared a deeply intentional, five-year journey that challenged the old HR systems and rebuilt the foundation of how the bank empowers its employees. In 2020, amid global disruptions, Security Bank restructured its HR operating model not just to be efficient, but to be empathetic.
“Transformation isn’t a buzzword; it’s an act of care.”
A People-Centric Timeline of Change
Security Bank’s transformation didn’t happen overnight. It was a series of deliberate, compassionate decisions made by leaders who understood that real impact is built one person, one conversation, and one system at a time.
- 2020: Revamped HR operations and emphasized the importance of learning as a cultural driver.
- 2021: Launched scalable coaching programs, introduced digital platforms like MyHR Buddy, and built manager-employee feedback loops.
- 2022: Focused on future-proofing the workforce, not just by measuring what employees achieved, but by understanding how they achieved it.
- 2023: Empowered employees with flexible dress codes, improved communication using LinkedIn tools, and turned recruiters into talent advisors.
- 2024–2025: Introduced FLEXBEN, allowing employees to buy or sell benefits based on their needs—shoes, wellness, or savings—because Security Bank believes personalization leads to true employee empowerment.
Every milestone had one underlying principle: You Matter.
These were not surface-level changes. These were systemic shifts born out of care, trust, and a bold vision to redefine HR in the Philippines.
The Power of Listening
One of the most touching parts of Berba’s story was the way Security Bank listens.
They listen not to reply, but to evolve.
From internal recognition programs like “Cheers,” to gathering real-time feedback on mobile apps, the bank proves that technology doesn’t have to make things cold—it can deepen human warmth when used intentionally.
“Spend time with the people you work with and understand them,” Berba emphasized.
“The future is not about choosing between people or technology—it’s about enabling both to thrive, together.”
From Data to Dignity
Berba didn’t just talk about systems and platforms—she showed how Security Bank turned insights into inspiration. From collaborating with global partners like MUFG to tailoring strategies to Filipino work culture, the bank designed an HR model that respects both global excellence and local identity.
She spoke of employees not just as performance contributors, but as individuals with stories, fears, ambitions, and potential.
“We don’t just measure what people do. We look at how they feel while doing it.”
The Final Slide that Moved a Room
At the end of her keynote, Berba stood in front of a massive screen displaying two simple words:
YOU MATTER.
There were no buzzwords, no corporate lingo—just humanity.
The phrase wasn’t just a brand campaign. It was a reminder that real transformation begins when people feel seen, heard, and valued. And when employees feel they matter, they don’t just stay—they thrive, they innovate, and they build legacies.
Rewriting the Narrative of Work
At hrX Philippines 2025, the keynote by Nerissa Berba didn’t just open a program—it opened hearts. In a world rushing toward automation, dashboards, and performance KPIs, her message echoed what most organizations forget in the noise:
People are not processes. They’re stories.
Security Bank’s transformation journey reminds us that the future of work cannot be measured solely by productivity charts or tech integrations. The real metric of progress is how deeply people feel connected to the work they do—and the workplace they belong to.
Berba’s approach challenged the room to rethink leadership not as a title but as a responsibility—one rooted in empathy, courage, and intentional care.
She invited every HR professional to pause and ask:
- Have we truly listened to our people lately?
- Are we designing policies with compassion or just compliance?
- Are we building workplaces where someone can say, “I matter here”?
Because when employees feel they matter, they don’t just show up—they grow, they stay, and they build organizations that don’t just perform, but endure.
The bank’s “You Matter” philosophy isn’t a tagline—it’s a commitment. One that proves innovation can coexist with empathy. That digital fluency must be matched by emotional fluency. And that when people thrive, companies don’t just scale—they evolve with purpose.
So as we wrap this chapter of hrX 2025, we leave with more than case studies or toolkits. We leave with a conviction:
The future of work doesn’t start with strategy.
It starts with the human spirit.
And Nerissa Berba just reminded us all that HR has the power to lead that future—if we choose to lead with heart.
