In celebration of Pride Month and in line with its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. hosted “GLang: Understanding SOGIESC a Step Toward Inclusive Workplaces” on July 2, 2025, at the Glorietta Activity Center as part of the 2025 League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) CSR Expo. The session served as PSFI’s contribution to the Expo’s overarching theme, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity for Shared Prosperity.”
The event, aptly titled “GLang,” was a creative play on the Filipino phrase “G lang” (short for “go lang”). It was designed to open space for conversations on gender inclusivity in professional and organizational settings. Hosted by Mx. Darwin Tenoria, the session invited participants to explore SOGIESC not only as a set of terms but as a lived experience that shapes people’s access to opportunity, safety, and dignity. “GLang is more than just a talk. It’s a safe space to understand, reflect, and affirm that inclusion starts with education,” said Tenoria.
The panel featured experts and advocates from different sectors:
- Dr. Deano Reyes of HARA Clinic highlighted the need for inclusive and competent healthcare services for transgender Filipinos. “Trans health is not just a medical concern. It is a human right. Every transgender person deserves access to respectful and competent healthcare.”
- Vince Matriz of IDEALS discussed the ongoing legal and structural challenges in advancing LGBTQIA+ rights. “The law may not always be on our side, but we are here to ensure that dignity and equity are not up for debate.”
- Rob Mortel of PSFI emphasized the importance of embedding inclusivity into development work. “Inclusion is part of development work. It is not an add-on. If our programs do not include LGBTQIA+ voices, we are missing the mark.”
- Zoe Black of LoveYourself pointed out that allyship should be rooted in structural action. “Allyship is not just wearing a rainbow. It is about creating systems that allow us to live with dignity and without fear.”
- Basha Cancillar of TLF Share Collective, Inc., a long-time advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, emphasized the need for meaningful reforms in workplace systems. “Visibility is power, but we must go beyond that. We need structural change starting from how we hire, how we treat coworkers, and how we show up every day.”
The conversation also explored the systemic socio-economic barriers that hinder LGBTQIA+ Filipinos from fully participating in the workforce. Panelists highlighted that gender identity should never be a barrier to employment, fair compensation, or workplace advancement. True inclusion, they argued, involves not just representation but the removal of deeply rooted obstacles that limit access to economic opportunity.
By addressing these structural issues, the session amplified a key message of the Expo: that corporate and development institutions have a responsibility to build systems where diversity is not only acknowledged but actively supported through inclusive policies and equitable practices.
GLang was one of many initiatives featured at the LCF CSR Expo 2025, where corporate foundations showcased programs aligned with DEI principles. From inclusive hiring to community-based education, the Expo demonstrated how the private sector can drive meaningful change when it chooses to lead with empathy and equity.
PSFI’s GLang session served as a timely reminder that building inclusive workplaces begins with understanding, and that understanding must lead to action.
