Diversity, inclusivity, equality. Throughout the month of June, these are the words that shaped ISSI Corp’s Pride campaign. But what do these words really mean? Why do they matter?
On June 26, 2026, at the Philplans Corporate Center, the organization concluded its Pride celebration through ISSI TO BE YOU. Led by the Human Resources Team, the event aimed to celebrate queer liberation and rainbow allyship through art.
According to Lloyd Delos Arcos, Assistant Manager for Human Resources, the inspiration behind the event is Pride Month. He mentioned that this is just one of HR’s initiatives, and they hope to organize more engaging events like this every month for associates.
“It’s Pride Month, so we focused on celebrating Pride. It is also our [way] to provide fun events. Hopefully, every month, there will be fun activities for associates. June is for Pride Month, so we matched it. The inspiration is Pride Month.”
Art has been widely used for self-expression, building connections, and even as a medium for resistance. According to Argun (2026), art is a powerful tool for driving political change. Over the years, it has been used to challenge the status quo and advance movements through paintings, sculptures, murals, posters, and even street art.
The event primarily focused on art as a form of protest in amplifying queer advocacies. The mechanics were simple—all associates who participated had to wear a shirt whose creative elements contained Pride Month values such as love, equality, respect, diversity, and inclusion.
The competition was joined by associates from different departments. Each of them wore a shirt that embodied gender advocacies. Different in form, but they shared the same message—championing queer rights.
Pride has always been colorful. Its vibrant theme symbolizes the diversity of the queer community. It was never monotonous nor dull. It is radiant—even exuberant. Thus, this very nature of Pride is reflected in ISSI Corp’s celebration.
Alongside the art competition, the HR Team ensured that the spirit of the celebration was echoed throughout the workplace. From the colorful rainbow decorations across the office to the Freedom Wall in the Operations area, they created an atmosphere that embodies inclusion and acceptance.
Aside from that, associates were also able to enjoy other fun and exciting activities. Through the personalized charm-making experience, they crafted unique charms based on their personal preferences. They were able to choose everything from the type of beads to the color of the lace—a fun way to express their creativity.
Lastly, the fun would not be complete without freebies! Participants were able to play at the claw machine, where they had a chance to win fantastic giveaways. They also enjoyed nostalgic cotton candy, which added a sweet touch to the celebration.
Pride has always been and will always be political. While it is a celebration, it has never been just a celebration. It is a movement born from resistance—resistance against injustice and systemic oppression. At its core, it is rooted in the pursuit of dignity and liberation.
ISSI Corp honors the community’s struggle for equal rights and social change. It acknowledges the existence of systems that continue to perpetuate harmful narratives against queer individuals. It recognizes that Pride must go beyond celebration; it must also be a time to recognize the roots of oppression.
These events are crucial for visibility and representation. They not only provide a platform for individuals to express their authentic selves but also create a space where they feel safe and secure. Moreover, standing in solidarity with the community is empowering, as it strengthens the fight for equality. According to the HR Team, the main objective of Pride is to make everyone feel welcome and loved regardless of their gender identity.
“We welcome everyone regardless of gender identity so that they feel loved and welcome. They have a family here, so that’s the goal.”
More than a month-long celebration, Pride is a call for a safer workplace. This year’s celebration shows how the people in the organization embrace everyone regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. They are committed to creating safer spaces where no form of discrimination exists.
They believe that the corporate environment must serve as a space for acceptance rather than a place for conformity.
It must also be gender-inclusive, where respect is already an established norm regardless of gender—not something that needs to be earned.
It must not see gender as a measure of capability; everyone must be given equal opportunities to grow.
It also encourages people to come as they are. Workplace culture must be grounded in acceptance, empowerment, and belonging, where everyone has the courage to embrace their individuality.
It does not make assumptions or force anyone to come out. Instead, it allows people to exist without having to explain who they are.
Lastly, it leads with love. Love means fostering a culture of acceptance where everyone is valued and treated equally for who they are, not for how they can prove themselves.
Creating a respectful work environment is important but the pursuit to equality does not end within the organization; there is a much bigger battle. While Pride activities are essential in amplifying the voices and stories of the community, it is important to recognize that they alone are not enough.
There must also be legal policies that protect the rights and welfare of the LGBTQIA++ individuals not only in the workplace but also in the society. Collective action is required to drive meaningful change.
Happy Pride!
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.
Reference
Argun, E., (2026). Art as Activism: How Protest Art Challenges the Status Quo. Art as Activism: How Protest Art Challenges the Status Quo | MyArtBroker | Article
