44: The Secret to Balancing a Multi-Million Business & Motherhood with Mary Ann Pastrana

Can working moms really have it all? How do you raise a family while building a maritime empire from scratch? In this episode, we sit down with the powerhouse behind FastCat—Mary Ann Ibuna Pastrana, chairperson of the Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC). What started as a simple dream to provide Filipinos with a safe, dignified, and modern ferry experience—after experiencing firsthand the poor conditions of provincial sea travel—evolved into a revolutionary fleet built alongside her husband, Chet. But beyond being a business mogul, Mary Ann is a mother and a wife first. Is there really such a thing as "work-life balance" for working moms? Now at 58, she reflects on entering the empty-nest phase, celebrating 37 years of a beautiful marriage rooted in deep faith, and how life gets even better with time. Get ready to be inspired by a story of grit, grace, and true partnership.