Coca-Cola Philippines Hosts Forum on Embracing Equity, Expresses Support for National Women’s Football Team

MANILA, Philippines, 16 March 2023—In celebration of National Women’s Month and as part of its support to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Coca-Cola Philippines today hosted a panel discussion on “Embracing Equity: Stories of Championing Every One” at Bonifacio Global City, highlighting engaging stories from trailblazers across various areas and fields about the importance of having supportive environments that open opportunities to anyone, regardless of background or gender, and what we can all do to be allies in creating such environments.

Coca-Cola Philippines organized Embracing Equity: Stories of Championing Every One, a forum tackling stories from personalities who have made great strides in their fields and are working to create supportive environments that open opportunities for anyone, regardless of background or gender. Photo © Bjorn Ong

The panel discussion’s theme is also aligned with International Women’s Day’s 2023 global theme of #EmbracingEquity, which encourages honest conversations about why “equal opportunities are no longer enough” and that what we need is to strive for is equity, recognizing that each person has different circumstances and that resources and opportunities are needed to reach an equal outcome despite their differences.

The first panel discussion highlighted stories about women in sports, the challenges faced by female athletes, and the significance of supporting these players to inspire the younger generation, from Philippine Women’s National Team goalkeeper Inna Palacios; Philippine Football Federation’s Grassroots Development Head Dave Javellana; news anchor, TV host, and athlete Gretchen Ho and; sociologist and co-founder of Queer Safe Spaces PH Tina Boado. Photo © Bjorn Ong

The program featured panel discussions with people who have succeeded in their fields despite facing barriers related to gender, and are now promoting an environment of support to pave the way for more people to similarly succeed. 

Insights about the status of gender equity and inclusivity and the creation of supportive environments were discussed in the second panel discussion, headlined by actress, writer, and LGBTQIA+ rights advocate Mela Habijan; Philippines Franchise Director of Coca-Cola Jonah de Lumen-Pernia; filmmaker, producer, and podcaster Antoinette Jadaone and; sociologist and co-founder of Queer Safe Spaces PH Tina Boado. Photo © Bjorn Ong

The program also celebrated a significant milestone in Philippine sports–the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification of the Philippine Women’s National Team, the first Filipino team to compete at the WWC 2023™ — hoping to inspire young Filipino athletes who share the dream of becoming world-class athletes.

The discussions featured stories and insights from Gretchen Ho, news anchor, TV host, and athlete; Antoinette Jadaone, filmmaker, producer, and podcaster; Mela Habijan, writer, host, actress, and LGBTQIA+ advocate; Tina Boado, sociologist and co-founder of Queer Safe Spaces Philippines; Inna Palacios, Philippine Women’s National Football Team goalkeeper; Dave Javellana, the Philippine Football Federation’s Grassroots Development Head and Jonah de Lumen-Pernia, Philippine Franchise Director, Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific.

The event is a timely celebration of Women’s Month and part of the company’s support for the Philippine Women’s National Team in their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign. Photo © Bjorn Ong
Evident with the panelists.

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