Aljay Calvento's Story

Sometimes, the opportunities that change our lives arrive when we least expect them.

For Aljay, now the Housekeeping Lead at Sodexo's Energy client in Cebu, his career journey began with what was meant to be just a two-month temporary assignment.

Early Years

At 29 years old and the eldest in his family, Aljay has always carried a deep sense of responsibility. A graduate of BS Tourism, HR and Management from Leyte Normal University in Tacloban City, he knew that success would not come overnight—it would be built one opportunity at a time.

His first job was as a Barista at Bo's Coffee in Tacloban, where long hours and multiple responsibilities became his first lessons in discipline, customer service, and hard work.

"That experience became my training ground," he shares.

He later explored different career paths, working briefly as a collector and sales representative for an agricultural company and as a sales agent for a manufacturing firm. While both roles offered valuable experience, Aljay knew they weren't where he wanted to build his future.

Looking for better opportunities, he made the bold decision to move to Cebu, encouraged by his classmates. He found work as a barista once again, but just six months later, the pandemic struck. Like many others, he suddenly found himself searching for any opportunity to earn a living.

That opportunity came through a friend who referred him to Sodexo.

The assignment was simple: serve as a temporary reliever at one of Sodexo's client sites, helping distribute relief goods to employees affected by Typhoon Odette. It was only supposed to last two months.

But someone saw something more in him.

When the assignment ended, Sodexo offered him a permanent position as a Housekeeping Staff at The Synchrony, one of its client sites in Cebu.

Today, he leads a team of 20 colleagues, a responsibility he embraces with humility and pride.

He credits much of his growth to the guidance of his supervisor, Aldrin Acedo, whose mentorship helped shape his leadership journey.

"He never stopped guiding and encouraging me. His leadership inspires me every day."

Along the way, Sodexo also invested in his development through various safety and leadership trainings that prepared him for greater responsibilities.

For Aljay, leadership isn't just about managing operations—it's about caring for people.

Although his shift officially ends at 4:00 p.m., he often stays until 5:00 p.m. so he can head home with his teammates.

"It's more enjoyable when we go home together," he says with a smile.

Looking back, Aljay never imagined that a temporary assignment distributing relief goods would become the beginning of a career that transformed his life.

Today, his story stands as a reminder that no opportunity is ever too small. With perseverance, humility, and the willingness to learn, even a two-month reliever role can become the first chapter of a meaningful career.

At Sodexo, careers are not simply built—they are nurtured. And for Aljay, that journey is only just beginning.