MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine Financial and Inter-Industry Pride held its fifth annual summit with a focus on #HIRAYA, PFIP’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations towards celebrating LGBTQ+ empowerment, promoting safe spaces, and self-authenticity, at the Grand Ballroom in Shangri-la The Fort, from July 27 to July 28.
The Philippine Financial and Inter-Industry Pride Summit has made a mark as the leading multi-industry LGBTQ+ association in the country. Over the years, PFIP strived to pave the way for LGBTQ+ inclusive practices to be enabled in all workplaces and bridge the gap between business and advocacy organizations. This year, PFIP has taken a bigger step towards its goal through its summit.
PFIP continued to fulfill its purpose of gathering people and focusing on the growth and development of LGBTQ+ talents and the communities it serves. Lauded as the biggest and only LGBTQ+ workplace conference of its kind to be held in the Philippines, PFIP Pride Summit 2023 ran for two days with 18 breakout sessions, over 40 corporate sponsors and exhibitors, 80 inspirational representatives from different fields, and more than 600 attendees including advocates, senior leaders, HR & DE&I practitioners LGBTQ+ professionals.
Opening the summit featured executive speakers Chair of PFIP, Weena Ekid, and Global Head of LGBTQ+ Affairs at JP Morgan Chase & Co., Brad Baumoel. Mayor of Taguig City Hon. Lani Cayetano gave a message of support and recognition that the government plays a crucial role in driving inclusion. With Taguig among the cities that carry out a non-discrimination ordinance and host several PFIP member companies, Mayor Cayetano emphasized that the city will continue to foster spaces that nurture economic growth, inclusion, and safety. Keynote speaker, Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco proudly shared how the aspirations of the LGBTQ+ community will be part of the DOT development plan. The secretary gave her assurance reminding PFIP and the community that the inclusion advocacy efforts thus far are succeeding and change is happening today.
The event included more speakers from PFIP partner companies and industries such as Marketplace Diversity Leader Asia Pacific at IBM Jeiz Robles, Treasurer of the City of Mandaue Atty. Regal Oliva, VP of Corporate Sustainability at HSBC Ceejay Hernandez, Board of Trustee at PFIP Ronil Villacorta, Account Director at London Stock Exchange Group Philip Francis Recto. The roster also included young LGBTQ+ student leaders Anna Cubacub of UP Babaylan, Josher Quizon of DLSU Prism, and Karl Borromeo of Ateneo Sanggunian.
True to PFIP’s goal of paving the way for LGBTQ+ inclusive practices in the workplace and bridging the gap between business and advocacy organizations, the event also saw the launch of the 2023 Philippine BAHAGHARI Awards which aims to recognize individuals, leaders, and organizations that have shown exceptional effort in advancing LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion in the Philippines through the following awards:
PRIDE Company of the Year Award – Company that has demonstrated consistent leadership and commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion in and out of the workplace.
PRIDE Network Award – Open only to PFIP member companies, PRIDE Network is for those who played an active and influential role in advancing the LGBTQ+ agenda in and out of their workplace and fostering safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals.
PRIDE LGBTQ+ Leader Award – Given to an LGBTQ+ individual who has served as a role model and led efforts to transform the LGBT+ landscape in and out of the workplace in the Philippines
PRIDE Executive Ally Award – Given to a non-LGBTQ+ senior leader who has served as a champion of the LGBTQ+ community by using their leadership influence to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and advocate for LGBTQ+ equality
PRIDE Advocacy Award – Given to a grassroots LGBTQ+ organization that has enabled local communities to empower and impact the lives of the LGBTQ+ community.
BAHAGHARI Champion Award – Conferred by the PFIP Board of Trustees, this is a special recognition to exceptional individuals and organizations that have championed SOGIE equality and human rights in the different sectors of our community.
Nominations are open until August 31 to companies and organizations registered and operating legally in the Philippines. Nominations could be done by accomplishing the digital form available here.
Awarding of the winners will be in the 10th Anniversary Gala of PFIP on October 27, 2023, at Fairmont Hotel, Makati City.
Lastly, championing the talent of the LGBTQ+ community, PFIP also held the Ultimate Lipsync Lalaparuzza where eight selected drag performers battled out in a lipsync competition on the second day of the summit. The competition’s lineup of guest judges includes Drag Den Philippines Queen Lady Gagita, Miss Trans Global 2020 and Convenor of Pride PH Mela Habijan, and Trans Advocate and Director of Drag Den PH Rod Singh.
