Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is embracing a new chapter of growth with key leadership transitions, highlighted by the retirement of long-time Chief Operations Officer Jesus “Boboy” C. Romero.
Romero, who served Converge for nine years, will officially step down on 30 June 2025. His tenure saw the company’s rise as a major player in the local broadband market, especially during the pandemic when demand for fiber internet soared. Converge Co-Founder and CEO Dennis Anthony Uy paid tribute to Romero’s impact, saying, “Boboy has seen us through the bold entry of Converge in the broadband market, to the hypergrowth years during the pandemic, and we are truly grateful. And now as we leap into the future, we look forward to continuing having Boboy as a supportive business partner.”
Romero’s exit comes as Converge positions itself beyond traditional connectivity, aiming to evolve into a full-fledged technology company. Taking over as Chief Operations Officer effective 01 July 2025 is Benjamin Rex Emilio B. Azada, a seasoned executive who has played a pivotal role in shaping Converge’s strategic and commercial direction over the last few years.
Azada, who joined Converge as Chief Strategy Officer in 2021, later became Chief Commercial Officer in early 2024. Under his leadership, the company recorded a nearly 15% rise in revenues last year, with the residential subscriber base growing by 20% to over 2.7 million by the end of 2024. Prior to Converge, Azada held senior roles at PwC Philippines and PwC Southeast Asia, and holds degrees from the University of the Philippines and the University of Durham in England.
As he assumes his new role, Azada will hand over his commercial responsibilities to a new leadership team to ensure continued growth. His sustainability responsibilities will transition to Laurice Esteban-Tuason, who now serves as the company’s Corporate Sustainability Officer, on top of her roles as Compliance and Data Protection Officer. Esteban-Tuason was recently named Best Data Privacy Officer in the General Management and Services sector by ISOG and graduated with high distinction from AIM with a Master’s in Cybersecurity.
In addition, Converge Treasurer Christine Renee Blabagno has been appointed concurrently as Chief Risk Officer. With over 25 years of experience in financial management and strategic risk oversight, her expanded role reflects Converge’s commitment to robust enterprise risk planning in an evolving digital landscape.
“With these changes in our leadership team, we are entering a new chapter—one that positions us more strategically for greater growth. By revamping the leadership bench while reinforcing our core values, we’re building the momentum needed to seize new opportunities and navigate the future as we transition to a techco,” according to Maria Grace Uy, Converge President and Co-Founder.
With these developments, Converge is poised to take bold steps into a future defined by AI, IoT, cloud solutions, and beyond-connectivity services — anchored by a renewed leadership team ready to chart its next growth phase.