Attendees at the welcome event with the Filinvest Group.
23 June 2026, Taguig City, Philippines— The Filinvest Group took another step in advancing workplace inclusion and women’s empowerment through a virtual welcome event with the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE) held on July 23.
Representatives from Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC), EastWest Banking Corporation (EastWest), and Filinvest Business Services Corporation (FBSC) joined officials from PBCWE, the Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN), and Investing in Women to reaffirm their shared commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces and expanding opportunities for women.
Opening the event was Ma. Aurora “Boots” Geotina-Garcia, Founding Chairperson and President of PhilWEN and Governing Council Chairperson of PBCWE.
“This is the first time in PBCWE’s history that we are holding a welcome event for three companies belonging to the same conglomerate, Filinvest. This milestone reflects the Group’s strong commitment to advancing workplace inclusion and gender equality across its business units,” she shared.
A key milestone highlighted during the event was Filinvest’s landmark membership as PBCWE’s inaugural Visionary Member, making it the first conglomerate in the Philippines to adopt a group-wide approach to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) across its portfolio of businesses. Through the partnership, Filinvest aims to strengthen Workplace Gender Equality (WGE) and Women’s Economic Equality (WEE) while fostering a more consistent and coordinated approach to inclusion across its organizations.
Closing the event was Isabelle Gotianun Yap, FVP and Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer of EastWest. She shared in her speech, “I have been fortunate to be shaped by strong women who walked before me—particularly my grandmother and my mother, both of whom led the company with courage and a deep commitment to developing people. One lesson they taught me is that leadership is never just about achieving results. It is about creating conditions where others can succeed and thrive.”
She also reflected that “Through this collaboration, we can honor the legacy of the women who came before us by ensuring that the path becomes easier and wider for those who will come after us.”
For Rhoda A. Huang, President and CEO of FDC, the partnership reflects Filinvest’s belief that inclusive workplaces drive stronger leadership and better business outcomes. “At Filinvest, we have seen for ourselves how nurturing an inclusive and diverse workplace gives us a stronger mix of talent and perspectives—making us more dynamic and agile. For us, women leaders are far from the exception. Across our Group, women are at the forefront of business, transformation, service, and change. That is something we are proud of. But it is also something we must continue to build on.”
Meanwhile, for Perdasille Carlos-Mesina, SVP & Managing Head of FBSC, the partnership with PBCWE is an opportunity to deepen the company’s commitment to gender equality. “With women representing 73% of FBSC’s workforce, we wanted to deepen our commitment to gender equality through meaningful action. Partnering with PBCWE allows us to learn from leading practices, strengthen our programs for women, and create more pathways for growth and leadership. More than a membership milestone, it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to building an inclusive workplace where women can thrive and lead.”
As Filinvest continues its partnership with PBCWE, the Group remains committed to building an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, opportunities are accessible, and more women are empowered to grow, lead, and thrive. The collaboration further strengthens Filinvest’s ongoing efforts to cultivate a high-performing and inclusive organization where people can reach their full potential.
