The Philippines is one of the countries known for its rich history. Throughout the year, various celebrations are commemorated in the country to honor Filipino heritage. Every month of August, the Philippines celebrates the Filipino language through “Buwan ng Wika.”
To honor the celebration, on August 29, 2026, at the Philplans Corporate Center, ISSI Corp held a singing contest titled “ISSIng Along: OPM Duets.” The event was participated in by associates from the Operations Team.
“It is not just about celebrating Buwan ng Wika and promoting the Filipino language, but also showcasing talents,” Francis Ian Marciano, Head of the Learning and Development Team, said.
Beyond celebrating the Filipino language and culture, the event gave a platform for associates to showcase their talents. Aside from that, it provided an opportunity for the people of ISSI Corp to connect and express themselves outside the workplace.
According to Kent Dominic Quiros of the Learning and Development Team, they were inspired by the Filipino love for music when developing this month’s theme.
“We all know that August is Buwan ng Wika… Filipinos love music, even karaoke, so why not explore that way?” he said.
The event kicked off with loud cheers and applause from the crowd to support their cluster representatives. Each cluster had two participants who sang a duet of their chosen Original Pilipino Music (OPM) song.
While they had different choices of songs, they shared the same objective—to promote the Filipino language through music.
The OPM Duet concluded with Cluster Ned & Shey securing the 2nd Runner-up title and impressing the audience with their acoustic performance.
Cluster Jocelyn was named 1st Runner-up with their heartfelt and emotional performance.
Finally, the winner of the first-ever ISSIng Along: OPM Duets was Cluster Toni, who gave a unique performance through their mashup of songs.
More than a singing contest, the event gave the people of ISSI Corp an opportunity to share laughter and collaborate with their fellow associates, fostering camaraderie and strengthening their relationships outside the workplace. Events like this are just one of the initiatives of the organization to build genuine connections among its people and create a stronger sense of community.
The observance of Buwan ng Wika every year is not just about celebrating the Filipino language, but also paying tribute to historical roots. More than just a commemoration, it must always be about meaningful reflection, remembering and honoring the struggles and events that shaped the Philippines. Carla V. Racho, President and COO, emphasized the importance of looking back at history.
“Matututo tayo sa pag-aaral ng kasaysayan,” (We learn from studying history) she said.
Apart from that, she highlighted that amid global interconnectedness, acknowledging our historical roots remains important.
“Alam ko globally connected na tayo sa buong mundo pero sa puso at isipan mo, ikaw pa rin ay Pilipino.” (I know we are globally connected, but in your heart and mind, you are still Filipino.)
She also added that Filipinos must be proud of their lineage and cultural roots. “Ipagmalaki natin ang pagiging Pilipino saan man tayo magpunta.” (Let's be proud of being Filipino wherever we go.)
ISSI Corp celebrates Buwan ng Wika alongside every Filipino. The organization believes in the importance of honoring culture and heritage. It commemorates the history that shaped the Filipino identity.
May the celebration of Buwan ng Wika be a reminder that the Filipino language is more than just about communication—it is a reflection of Philippine identity that is meant to be preserved, valued, and embraced.
“Maligayang Buwan ng Wika at sana hindi lang ngayong buwan natin maramdaman na tayo ay Pilipino—sana palagi.”
(Happy Buwan ng Wika — may we feel proud to be Filipino not just this month, but always.)
—Carla V. Racho, President and COO
ISSI Corp is a business process solutions company that runs complex, high-value operations with precision, speed, and intelligence. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Manila, we bring over 15 years of operational expertise to the insurance, banking, financial services, and technology industries.
Clients engage us in the way that fits their need — an outcome we run end to end (Managed Service), a team we build around their operation (Dedicated Team), or a capability we build, operate, and transfer to them over time (Build-Operate-Transfer). Operating from a PEZA-registered facility with more than 1,000 professionals, we pair seasoned human expertise with AI and digital technology to deliver operational excellence at scale. ISSI Corp — peace of mind, built on trust.
