The Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Philippines (ANZCHAM) and casino technology business Aristocrat Gaming held on March 3 an International Women’s Day (IWD) event in the Philippine capital, Manila.
The function, attended by about 370 people, aimed to “celebrate women’s achievements, advance gender equality, and strengthen partnerships across the region,” according to its organisers.
Taking as its theme “Give to Gain”, the initiative presented a series of speakers and panels that covered a variety of industries.
This was the third year that Aristocrat Gaming, the land-based business segment of Australia-listed Aristocrat Leisure Ltd, was involved in organising a IWD event in Manila.
Lloyd Robson, senior vice president at Aristocrat Gaming, said in a speech at the event: “As the principal sponsor of today’s event, Aristocrat Gaming is incredibly proud to be here among community, customers and team members who believe that supporting and strengthening the role that women play in the community can drive industries further.”
He added: “The theme for 2026 is to highlight that supporting women through mentoring, resources, advocacy and time, multiplies opportunities for everyone.”
Mr Robson said that at Aristocrat Gaming, “advancing the representation of women across all levels remains a strategic priority,” as “having a vibrant mix of perspectives at the table strengthens” the firm’s “performance culture and helps create a sense of belonging for all”.
“Across Aristocrat’s global enterprise, our approach to diversity, equity and inclusion is anchored in the best interest of our business,” the executive stated.
“It helps us attract, retain and unleash the best possible talent across our organisation and ensures that our business is a place where people can do their best work,” Mr Robson added.
ANZCHAM’s president, Benjamin Romualdez, said in prepared remarks: “Women play vital roles in community leadership, business and public service, so conversations like these are crucial to advancing representation.”
Mr Romualdez added: “I’m proud that our event not only celebrated the achievements of women, but also strengthened our shared commitment within the region, to increasing visibility, expanding opportunities, and ensuring that women’s perspectives are embedded in decision‑making at every level.”
Catherine McIntosh, New Zealand ambassador to the Philippines, and Marc Innes-Brown, Australian ambassador to the Philippines, both attended and addressed the audience during the event.
