Filinvest Group proudly announced that it has won two prestigious accolades at the HR Asia Awards 2025 – The Philippines Chapter: the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Award and the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia Award, received on August 26, 2025. These recognitions underscore the Group’s strong, continuing, commitment to creating an inclusive, empowering, and people-first workplace.
“Winning these significant awards is a proud moment for Filinvest,” said Isabelle Gotianun Yap, Director of Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC) and VP Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer and Executive Director of EastWest. “They affirm our long-standing belief that empowering diverse voices and perspectives leads to stronger outcomes for our people, our communities, and our businesses. This recognition inspires us to continue shaping a workplace where inclusivity fuels innovation, collaboration, and meaningful impact.”
In addition, Francis Gotianun, Director of FDC and FSVP of Filinvest Hospitality Corp. added: “These milestone recognitions are a reflection of our people and the culture we’ve built together. At Filinvest, diversity, equity, and inclusion are not checkboxes—they are the drivers of our growth and our ability to adapt to change. As we celebrate 70 years of Moving Dreams Forward, we are reminded that dreams know no boundaries, and it is our role to ensure every individual has the opportunity to make theirs a reality.”
A Workplace Where Everyone Belongs
Filinvest earned high marks across HR Asia’s survey categories, particularly in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where the Group outperformed market averages in providing equal career opportunities, creating safe spaces for cultural expression, and taking strong action against discrimination.
Representation is also evident in Filinvest’s leadership composition: 67% of its Board of Directors are women, alongside 49% of executives and 57% of its total workforce. By comparison, the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE) census on publicly listed companies shows a leadership ratio of 40% female and 60% male. This strong performance highlights Filinvest’s decades-long commitment to advancing gender equity and cultivating diverse leadership at all levels.
To support its people-first agenda, Filinvest has implemented equity-driven practices such as fair compensation and benefits, transparent career progression pathways, and inclusive collaboration frameworks. Programs like Filinvest Live, LEAP, and leadership development initiatives have enriched employee engagement, delivering more than 832,000 training hours in 2024—an average of 60 hours per employee. This far exceeds the 40-hour learning benchmark, a widely recognized standard for professional development that aligns with both corporate training practices and the global 40-hour work week model.
Why Filinvest Was Recognized
The recent double win reflects not only Filinvest’s strong HR practices but also the trust and engagement of its employees. HR Asia cited the following as key reasons why the Group stood out among its peers:
HR Asia recognized the Group for its strong policies and culture that promote equity, gender balance, and a safe, inclusive environment through the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Award. In addition, Filinvest was honored with the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia Award 2025 – Philippines Chapter for excelling in the organization’s proprietary survey that measures employee engagement, workplace culture, and organizational excellence—further affirming the trust and positive experience of its workforce.
“These recognitions from HR Asia are truly significant for us in HR,” shared Bing Paraguas, First Vice President and Head of HR Strategy & COE of Filinvest Group. “They validate the programs and policies we have designed to create an environment where people feel seen, heard, and valued. But beyond the systems, what makes these awards special is the way our employees have embraced inclusivity as part of everyday life at Filinvest.”
Moving Dreams Forward at 70
The Group’s recognitions in people and organizational excellence only continue to grow. In 2025, Filinvest also earned honors at the Stevie® Awards for Great Employers, including Silver for Achievement in Leadership Development and Bronze in Talent Acquisition, Organizational Culture, and Employer of the Year (Real Estate), on top of multiple recognitions in the HR Excellence Awards 2025.
These milestone awards come at a meaningful time as the Group celebrates its 70th anniversary—a journey that began in a humble Cebu shophouse and has since grown into one of the Philippines’ most respected and diversified conglomerates. Guided by its anniversary philosophy of Moving Dreams Forward, Filinvest continues to place people at the center of its progress, ensuring that growth and opportunities extend to all.
Beyond accolades, Filinvest remains committed to building sustainable communities, promoting financial inclusion, advancing nation-building efforts, and creating opportunities that uplift generations. As the Group moves into its next chapter, these recognitions reinforce the belief that an inclusive workplace is essential to shaping a stronger, more resilient future for all.