BIOGRAPHY
WHO IS ALICE EDUARDO?
ALICE EDUARDO: A WOMAN OF STEEL
If there’s one fitting title for Alice Eduardo—the President and CEO of Sta. Elena Construction and Development—that would be Woman of Steel. Making a mark for herself since 1995, she led her construction firm, now an AAA and Large B company which means it has a capitalization of at least Php300 million and qualifies to bid for any billion-peso project, to what it is today.
In an industry dominated by male, how one will stand out? Alice Eduardo, our country’s construction magnate, knows the answer.Proving how trivial gender is as she embarked on providing quality service. She and her team met standards and even beat project deadlines, and thus earned the trust of Sta. Elena’s clients. True enough, her company lives up to its slogan, going beyond structural integrity.
Alice Eduardo
President & CEO of Sta. Elena Construction & Development Corporation
Alice Eduardo had always wanted to be an engineer. She grew up with an intense fascination on how roads, bridges and buildings are built; how strong foundations are built, and how these man-made structures can help the people in their daily lives. She wanted to be a part of all the processes.
Her dream of becoming an engineer was overthrown by the wish of her parents, particularly her mother, for her to become a doctor or nurse. As a compromise, she took up a management degree.
Alice Eduardo’s family is no stranger to businesses. Growing up, her family juggles rice milling and trading and garments export businesses in Nueva Ecija. Before starting her own construction company, she handled the latter along with her sister, Small. From here, she has been exposed to and learned the ups and downs, the ins and outs of doing business.
Managing the family business paved the way for this mompreneur to start her journey in the construction industry, with her own construction company.
CAREER HISTORY
AN OPPORTUNITY CAME IN 1995
In 1995, a customer, Concrete Aggregates, tapped Alice Eduardo to supply steel to a building project in Malolos, Bulacan while she was delivering rice using an elf truck that she drove herself. Acting immediately on the opportunity, she looked for the right materials and delivered them personally to the client.
Right there and then, she knew that this was her first step into the industry she always wanted to partake in: construction.
Bacnotan Steel Plant in Batangas was her first major project. She did the construction of the plant’s foundation. Her next major projects were the Santa Rita and San Lorenzo plants, which are also located in Batangas.
The road to success isn’t always smooth. The Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s happened, and the construction industry was undoubtedly one of the hardest-hit industries. Alice Eduardo had just taken out bank loans to purchase high-end, brand new heavy equipment which she refused to sell at a loss. She made sacrifices so that she can keep her equipment. As the economy recovered, more opportunities came her way.
Henry Sy decided to build one big mall on the reclamation project in Pasay. Very few companies had the adequate and necessary equipment to undertake the construction of the foundation. Unsurprisingly, Sta. Elena won this project.
Soon enough, she and her team were closing large-scale projects from local and international clients. Among others, Sta. Elena’s roster of projects include:
- SM Mall of Asia,
- SM Pampanga,
- SM Bacolod,
- SM Seaside City Mall (Cebu),
- SM City Cabanatuan,
- SM Olongapo City,
- SM City Tarlac,
- SM Bay Arena,
- SM office buildings, One, Two and Three Ecom Center, and
- SMDC residential complexes, Sea Residences, Shell Residences, and Shore Residences.
As if these weren’t enough, investors from all over the world also took notice of the quality of work Sta. Elena is providing. Expectedly, more and bigger projects came its way such as Solaire Resort and Casino, City of Dreams, Belle Grande Casino and Resort and Manila Bay Resort, all of which are located in the Entertainment City in Parañaque.
Further along, Alice Eduardo also won the bid to develop the First Gen-Siemens San Gabriel Power Plant in Batangas also. The natural gas-fired power plant would cost $600 million. This makes Sta. Elena as the first Filipino contractor that Siemens hired to construct its power plant project, solidifying the fact that her construction firm meets international standards.
SPECIALIZATION
NOT JUST CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Alice Eduardo visits the construction sites personally. However, her life also revolves around advocacy work. Her mantra is, “If I can save a soul and make people happy, I feel super happy.”
One of her passion projects is the 320-square meter pediatric ward—Department of Pediatrics-Hematology-Oncology Isolation Ward—at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). She aims to build hope for these young cancer patients. In 2022, she built the Php19-million dormitory nearby so the families of these cancer-stricken children would have a place to stay.
She is also a stalwart partner of Go Negosyo, a Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship program targetingal entrepreneurs. She shares her entrepreneurial journey through summits and conferences. Through talks, she hopes to inspire and ignite more Filipinas to find their passion and pursue their dreams. She also offers mentoring sessions to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Alice Eduardo was awarded Asia’s Most Influential (Philippines) for three consecutive years.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Throughout her illustrious career as a business leader and philanthropist, Alice Eduardo, President and CEO of Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corporation, has consistently demonstrated a unique blend of visionary leadership, compassion, and national pride. Her accomplishments have garnered widespread recognition across industries—from business to social impact—cementing her status as one of the Philippines’ most influential and inspiring figures.
2024: A BANNER YEAR OF LEADERSHIP HONORS
- The Business Manual CEO Award
Presented by One Mega Group Inc., this award recognizes Alice Eduardo as a trailblazing CEO who exemplifies excellence in corporate leadership, innovation, and resilience in steering Sta. Elena Construction to national prominence.
- Captain of Industries Award
Jointly awarded by Philippine Airlines and Rising Tigers Magazine, this prestigious accolade acknowledges her pioneering contributions to infrastructure development and her role in shaping the future of Philippine industry.
- Lifetime Achievement Award
Bestowed by Stargate PeopleAsia, this award celebrates her decades of exceptional achievement not only in the business realm but also in humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, and women’s empowerment.
2023–2021: RECOGNITIONS FOR INFLUENCE AND INSPIRATION
- Woman of Inspiration (2023)
Honored by Ever Bilena, Alice Eduardo was celebrated for her outstanding role in inspiring the next generation of female leaders in the Philippines.
- Asia’s Most Influential (2021–2023)
For three consecutive years, Tatler Philippines recognized Alice Eduardo as one of Asia’s Most Influential, a testament to her enduring impact in business, philanthropy, and nation-building.
- People Who Shaped 2021
Lifestyle Asia Philippines named her among the individuals who significantly influenced the nation’s narrative during a year of transformation and recovery.
- Builder of the Year (2021)
Given by Stargate PeopleAsia, this award highlights her achievements in infrastructure, recognizing her as a driving force in building iconic developments throughout the country.
- People of the Year (2021)
For the second time in her career, Alice Eduardo was again named Person of the Year by Stargate PeopleAsia, solidifying her place among the most respected personalities in the Philippines.
2020–2017: DEFINING PHILANTHROPY AND POWER IN BUSINESS
- People of the Year (2020)
Another honor from Stargate PeopleAsia, recognizing her leadership during critical national challenges and her hands-on involvement in health and education causes.
- Most Charitable Force (2019)
Tatler Philippines honored her unmatched commitment to philanthropy, particularly in healthcare and disaster response.
- Luminary Philanthropy Award (2019)
The Philippine Cancer Society awarded her for her vital role in supporting cancer awareness and care initiatives, including her major donation to the PGH pediatric cancer ward.
- Women of Style and Influence (2019)
Recognized by Stargate PeopleAsia for balancing impeccable taste with a commanding influence in both business and advocacy.
- Inspiring Women of the Philippines (2019)
Global toy brand Mattel celebrated her inspiring life story and achievements by honoring her as one of the nation’s most empowering female figures.
- Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy (2018)
One of the most coveted recognitions in the region, Alice Eduardo was named among Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy—a rare honor that places her in the league of the most generous and impactful philanthropists across Asia.
- People of the Year (2017)
Another Stargate PeopleAsia honor marking her contributions in both enterprise and humanitarian service.
2015–2011: CEMENTING HER ROLE AS A ROLE MODEL AND TRAILBLAZER
- Woman of Style & Substance (2015)
Celebrated again by Stargate PeopleAsia for her multi-faceted persona—an accomplished businesswoman and a compassionate humanitarian.
- MVP Bossing Award (2015)
Presented by PLDT SME Nation and the MVP Group, this award recognized her entrepreneurial excellence and role in nation-building through infrastructure.
- 50 Inspiring Women of Passion (2014)
Honored by Go Negosyo for her inspiring leadership and passion-driven success in the male-dominated construction industry.
- Walk of Fame Star (2013)
Alice Eduardo received a star on the Walk of Fame Philippines in recognition of her iconic status and contributions to society.
- Prime Mover Award (2011)
Given by Habitat for Humanity, this award acknowledged her long-standing commitment to housing and community development for underserved Filipino families.
A LEGACY OF PURPOSE AND POWER
Each accolade received by Alice Eduardo tells a deeper story of passion, purpose, and perseverance. Whether building mega-structures, uplifting lives through charity, or breaking gender barriers in business, her journey continues to inspire generations of Filipinos and leaders across Asia. Her numerous awards serve not just as milestones of success, but as symbols of a life lived with intention—for country, community, and the common good.