UnionBank Supports Inclusive Businesses through the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Market
By: Martina Lucero
On June 27 and 28, UnionBank Plaza hosted the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Market on the 14th floor of UnionBank Plaza. This event showcased vendors who advocate the rights and talents of persons with disabilities (PWDs), indigenous people, and other marginalized groups. It provided an opportunity for these businesses to earn income, while also allowing UnionBankers to support causes they care about.
The market featured a variety of vendors who are making a difference in their communities. The Clea Files offered personalized, hand-stamped jewelry made sustainably without environmentally harmful machines, promoting both craftsmanship and environmental responsibility. Builtamart, an online grocery, offers farm-fresh produce sourced from local Filipino farmers, making it easier for consumers to access quality goods while supporting small-scale agriculture. Overdoughs, a homegrown bakery dedicated to inclusivity, employs deaf individuals and encourages customers to use sign language, raising awareness about the talents and capabilities of the deaf community.
Other vendors included Pik-A-Pikel, offering pickled mangoes sourced from local farmers, and Cul de Sac Coffee, a neighborhood café from Antipolo that is a proud ally and a safe space for the queer community. Cul de Sac supports the LGBTQIA+ community and offered Pride Month happy hours throughout June 2024, creating an inclusive environment for all. HONOR also participated in the Market by promoting individuality through a portrait challenge using HONOR 200 phones, further emphasizing the market’s theme of diversity and inclusion.
UnionBank also partnered with Love Yourself Inc. to host a webinar titled “Gender Sensitivity 101.” This session, made available to all UnionBankers through MS teams, explored how gender shapes our experiences and encouraged empathy and compassion. The guest speaker, Aisia Castelo, is a Licensed Psychometrician with a strong focus on gender equality. An award-winning advocate, Aisia has received fellowships from various international organizations and serves as the Country Coordinator for the Philippines at the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning. She provided valuable insights on practicing inclusivity and compassion and offered practical advice on avoiding discrimination in the workplace.
The DEI Market reflects UnionBank’s commitment to championing equal rights for diverse communities and fostering an inclusive environment where all voices are heard.