Abel Ross A. Maningas
Product Consultant, Facilitator & Community Builder 
Helping teams navigate ambiguity to build products that matter.

Hi, I’m Abel — and I help product teams build amazing things by reimagining how they work together.

For the past 8 years, I’ve been moving between the worlds of Facilitation, Product Design, and Innovation Strategy. From scaling features for 3 million users at Momentum to launching social impact platforms for Globe Telecom, my journey has taught me one simple truth:

We can’t build amazing, innovative products without first working on our collaboration.

My work focuses on guiding teams through the messy “middle” of product development — helping them move from vague ideas to tangible solutions. I blend Design Thinking, Product Management, and Strategic Facilitation into a process that is experimental, user-centric, and deeply practical.

I’ve led product initiatives for major corporations like Globe Telecom, startups like Momentum, and NGOs across Southeast Asia, helping launch features that have protected 200,000+ users from scams and generated social good for thousands more.

These days, I’m deepening my work by exploring the intersection of social impact and leadership. I’m currently pursuing the Satir Coaching and Mentorship Program and building Product for Good (P4G) to connect product professionals with Civil Society Organizations.

What I believe in

  • Test soon, test cheaply. Innovation isn’t about the perfect launch; it’s about the speed of learning. I believe in experimentation over assumptions.
  • Collaboration is the product. You cannot separate the quality of the software from the quality of the conversation that built it.
  • Structure creates freedom. Teams don’t need micromanagement; they need clear frameworks and spaces (like Design Sprints) that allow creativity to flourish.
  • Products for people. Technology is at its best when it solves real human problems — whether that’s helping a user focus or generating funds for charities.

How I work with teams

People often describe my work as the bridge between strategy and execution. I don’t just talk about theory; I help you build the artifact.

My consulting and facilitation usually involves:

  • Turning ambiguity into action: Moving from “What should we build?” to “Here is the prototype”.
  • Visualizing the system: Using service blueprinting and journey mapping to uncover hidden bottlenecks.
  • Co-creation: Bringing developers, designers, and stakeholders into the same room to align on a shared vision.
  • Rapid validation: Designing experiments to test hypotheses before expensive code is written.

I work with Startups, SMEs, and Corporate Innovation teams who need to launch new products but are stuck in alignment issues or analysis paralysis.

Areas I can support

Workshop Facilitation & Design Sprints Guiding teams through Strategy Workshops, Design Sprints, and Ideation sessions to solve complex problems in days, not months.

Product Strategy & Development Helping organizations define their value proposition, conduct user research, prioritize features that actually move the needle, and validate these features.

Service Design & Systems Thinking Service blueprinting, process optimization, and operational alignment to ensure your backend supports your frontend experience.

Community & Social Innovation Building communities of practice and applying product principles to social good initiatives.

Clients & Communities

I’ve been fortunate to work with a diverse range of organizations, from industry giants to local innovators in the Philippines, Canada, and Malaysia

I am also a dedicated community builder in the Philippines:

  • ProductPH: Organizing events and learning sessions for the country’s product management ecosystem.
  • Product for Good (P4G): Founder of a community connecting product talent with social impact causes in Southeast Asia.

If we work together…

Don’t worry about polishing your ideas before we talk.

Bring me your vision, your context, and the messy reality of where you are stuck. I don’t come with a magic wand; I come with a process to help you find your own answers.

Together, we’ll create the space to untangle the complexity and turn your most pressing challenges into clear, actionable steps.