Home Credit Philippines host PFIP Q4 Membership Meeting, strengthens commitment to DEIB

Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the country’s leading consumer finance company, reinforced its commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) by hosting the Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP) Q4 Membership Meeting and Fellowship Night.

The event focused on DEIB innovations, strategies for overcoming challenges, and incorporating DEIB into organizational sustainability. It also gave an avenue for the induction of the organization’s new members, and the presentation of the third Philippine Bahaghari closeout report and the Rainbow Youth Academy Cycle 3 Updates.

A key event highlight was a roundtable discussion titled Evolving Pride: The New Challenges and Opportunities for DEIB and Pride Network Leaders. Moderated by Russel Jude Patina, Senior Public Relations Manager and Vice President for External Affairs of the Pride Club at HCPH, the session featured distinguished panelists, such as Joseph Magadan, Delivery Lead Manager of Accenture Philippines; Josh Calzo, Co-Chair of Rainbow Lions Philippines at ING Philippines; April Soriano, Associate Client Services Manager–Core Recruiting & Service Excellence at IBM Consulting, and Janlee Dungca, Managing Director of Castro Communications.

The panel explored critical topics, including the role of inclusive technology and data-driven DEIB strategies, overcoming barriers to DEIB success, aligning DEIB initiatives with organizational and ESG goals, and securing leadership and cross-functional support for the community.

“Discussions like these are vital in driving meaningful change within organizations and creating a more inclusive and equitable society. At Home Credit, we are honored to host this event, as it aligns with our values as an equal-opportunity employer and our ongoing commitment to championing DEIB in the workplace. Through initiatives like this, we continue to empower individuals and foster a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and included,” Nina Patricia Dacanay, People Partner of HCPH, said.

HCPH has been actively working on its DEIB efforts and has implemented efforts that ensure a working environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities. In a Pride-DEI knowledge-sharing session done by Dacanay, the company’s efforts for workplace inclusion, its initiatives to push for gender equality and drive LGBTQIA+ advocacies, and its collaborations with organizations to strengthen its DEI policies and programs were highlighted.

Strengthening DEIB strategies and leadership development

The discussions emphasized the need for organizations to integrate DEIB as a core strategic priority to foster inclusivity and drive innovation. Panelists underscored the importance of leveraging data and key performance indicators to measure the impact of business resource groups. They also highlighted the value of enabling self-identification options, which provide organizations with insights into their diversity efforts. Regulatory frameworks, compliance, and technology were identified as critical drivers of DEIB initiatives.

On leadership development, the panelists discussed actively involving and educating executives in DEIB efforts, ensuring they stay engaged through workplace inclusion data and reports. Leaders were encouraged to prepare for generational transitions by creating opportunities for younger generations, such as Gen Z and Gen Alpha, to lead the next wave of DEIB advocates.

Supporting professional development and LGBTQ+ rights

The event also highlighted initiatives supporting professional development and advancing LGBTQ+ rights. Attendees were encouraged to explore scholarship opportunities, such as the ASEAN Chevening Scholarship, which supports open-minded leaders committed to driving positive change in the Philippines. This scholarship provides comprehensive support, including tuition, living expenses, and other essential costs.

The Right to Care Card, a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ rights, was also discussed. This program, launched in Quezon City, grants queer couples the legal right to make healthcare decisions for their partners. With plans to expand to other cities, the initiative aims to provide broader legal recognition and protection for the LGBTQ+ community.

The event brought together nearly 100 representatives from PFIP member companies and organizations, including Aboitiz Power, Accenture, AIA Philippines, British Embassy, Coca-Cola, Cognizant, IBM Philippines, ING, JP Morgan Chase, Quezon City Gender and Development Council (QC-GAD Council), Shell, and many more.

“We are grateful for the insightful discussions during this event, as they provide valuable learnings that will continue to guide our journey in strengthening DEIB at Home Credit. While we have implemented and sustained numerous DEIB initiatives, we recognize that much work still needs to be done. Home Credit remains fully committed to advocating for DEIB, and we will continue to strive toward creating a workplace where everyone is valued, supported, and empowered to thrive,” Dacanay added.

“PFIP’s mission is to be the leading voice and champion of workplace inclusion in the Philippines. Our vision, our ultimate goal, is to have limitless career options for LGBTQ+ professionals,” Chris Eugenio, PFIP’s Board Advisor, concluded.

Since November 2023, HCPH has been a proud member of PFIP, a nonprofit community consisting of LGBTQ+ employee resource groups and human resource representatives from private sector firms in the country. Through this partnership, Home Credit Philippines has actively contributed to the LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion Survey and integrated best practices from PFIP’s recently published Playbook for LGBT+ Inclusive Workplaces in the Philippines.

To learn more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit the official Home Credit website. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Things You Need to Know About the Hong Kong Disneyland Explorer's Club Restaurant Semi-Buffet and "Momentous" Viewing Area Package

As the name suggests, this is not a full buffet service. Instead, you get to choose one entrée while enjoying unlimited servings of appetizers, desserts, and drinks.

You have 1.5 hours to dine, which is more than enough time. The buffet service schedule varies depending on the "Momentous" show schedule.

For the 9:00 PM show, the buffet is available from 6:15 PM to 7:45 PM, though they started accepting guests as early as 6:00 PM.

Booking and Availability

While advance booking is recommended, same-day reservations are also possible. This gives you flexibility in case you change your plans. We made our reservation around 2:00 PM, and it was fine. In fact, the restaurant was not fully booked, even on a Saturday.

Food and Drinks

The entrée options include:

🍽️ Spice-crusted Sea Bass with Tandoori Crushed Potatoes, Coconut Moilee, and Crispy Okra

🍽️ Moroccan Wagyu Beef Burger with Waffle Fries

🍽️ Hainanese Chicken with Rice and Winter Melon Soup

🍽️ Porcini Mushroom Ravioli (Vegetarian option)

The selection of salads, appetizers, pasta and desserts is extensive, featuring international flavors. They also offer shrimp and mussels, which paired well with the spice-crusted sea bass. Some flavors may be unfamiliar, but it’s a great experience for those who enjoy exploring different cuisines.

Drinks are unlimited. They served a raspberry drink (I couldn’t recall the exact name), which I wasn’t a fan of, but there were also other fruit juices available. The coffee machine offered hot beverages, including hot chocolate, which I really enjoyed.

Here's a short video of the dessert station

As a pleasant surprise, they also served banana toffee ice cream toward the end. Since we were already full, we brought it with us to the Momentous viewing area.

Service and Atmosphere

Many of the restaurant staff, including the chef, are Filipino. Expect warm hospitality and great service! Feel free to ask them for recommendations—our kababayans were very helpful and friendly.

Is It Worth It?

I would say YES, mainly because of the access to the reserved area for "Momentous," which was our primary reason for getting this package.

The food was decent—nothing mind-blowing—but honestly, food is the last thing on my mind when I’m in Disneyland. That said, I really enjoyed the hot chocolate and desserts, which were delicious and perfect for the cold weather.

The reserved area makes a huge difference. We spent several days in Disneyland and watched the fireworks from both a distance and the reserved area. The difference was clear:

✨ You can see the projections on the water fountain, which are not visible from afar.

🔊 The sound is more immersive, making the experience more engaging.

🔥 You can feel the heat from the fire blasts, adding to the excitement.

So, if your budget allows, I highly recommend adding this package to your visit!

💰 Pricing (Inclusive of Service Charge):

Adults: HKD 559 (approx. PHP 4,168)

Kids: HKD 383 (approx. PHP 2,955)

Would you go for this experience? Let me know in the comments!