Unqorkers playing the Unqork ERG Mucho Amor’s Family Feud-style game show
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), Unqork honored the culture, history, and vibrant impact of Hispanic and Latine communities. Throughout the month, we came together to listen, share perspectives, and celebrate the unique stories and experiences that make our team who we are.
We kicked off the month by spotlighting Central America’s “Big Five” independence anniversaries, diving into the rich linguistic diversity of Indigenous languages across the Americas and sharing traditions like Costa Rica’s La Antorcha de la Independencia.
Over on Slack, Unqorkers shared their non-negotiable comfort foods, traded their morning cafecito rituals, and built an unforgettable playlist featuring everything from Salsa and Cumbia to Rock en Español.
And the highlight of the month? The Unqork Mucho Amor Family Feud game show! Unqorkers went head-to-head live to guess the top responses from our company-wide cultural survey. Between fast-paced trivia, friendly team rivalries, and non-stop cheering in the chat, it was an incredible display of community and joy.
We sat down with the leadership of Mucho Amor—Executive Sponsor Pablo Remirez de Estenoz (VP – Legal); President Gina Apresa (Director of Operations); Co-Chair Odilon Nagay (VP – Head of CX Strategy & Operations); and Ambassador Thomas Clark (Director – Security Operations)—to hear what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them, how they celebrated, and what they enjoyed most about sharing their culture with fellow Unqorkers.
1. Is there a Hispanic tradition, food, song, or celebration that holds a special place in your heart?
Pablo: Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) holds a very special place in my heart. Although we celebrate Christmas Day, in my family—and for most Latino families—Noche Buena is the main event. We have a late-night dinner of roasted pork with rice and black beans, then sing and play games all night. Nobody goes to bed early; we stay up way past midnight opening gifts, dancing, cracking jokes, and just enjoying being together.
Even though my family is scattered all over the world now, we still try to celebrate it together every year with as many of us as possible.
2. What’s one part of your heritage or culture that you’re especially proud to share with others?
Gina: I’m a foodie, so for me, it always comes back to food! Growing up, my mom always told me that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach—and I’ve found that to be true every single time.
Mexican cuisine is so beautifully rich and diverse, with unique flavors and regional dishes depending on where you travel. But if you ask me, Mexico City has by far some of the best food you will ever taste in your life. Sharing our authentic dishes and food traditions with others is my absolute favorite way to share my heritage. Tamales, mole, enchiladas, tacos, and the list goes on!
3. Is there something about Hispanic culture that you would like to share with your colleagues at Unqork?
Odilon: As a Brazilian, I’m Latino rather than Hispanic, but I’ve always felt a strong connection to many of the values we share across Latin cultures, especially the importance of family, relationships, and community.
Living in the U.S. has actually made me appreciate that part of my culture even more. My wife and I are raising our daughter here without the support system we would naturally have around us in Brazil. There are no grandparents, aunts, uncles, or extended family around the corner to step in. You realize pretty quickly how much of Brazilian life is built around that sense that family and community are always there. Being away from it has made me value those relationships in a completely different way.
I also grew up with another important influence: my Japanese heritage. I think the combination of those cultures has shaped a lot of who I am. From Brazil, I carry the warmth, closeness, and belief that relationships matter. From my Japanese side, I carry a deep sense of commitment, discipline, and the idea that no matter how well you do something, there is always an opportunity to make it better.
That combination has shaped how I show up at work too. I’ve been at Unqork for eight years, and I still genuinely care about making this company better. I care about the people here, about what we build together, and about delivering on the commitments we make to each other and to our clients. At the same time, I’m rarely satisfied with “good enough.” I’m always looking at what we can improve, what we can simplify, and how we can do something better the next time. I think that constant drive to improve, while never losing sight of the people around you, comes directly from how I was raised.
Now that I’m raising a daughter who is growing up American while also being surrounded by Brazilian and Japanese influences, I think about culture differently. It’s not just where you were born, the language you speak, or the traditions you celebrate. It becomes part of how you treat people, how seriously you take your responsibilities, what you expect from yourself, and ultimately what you hope to pass on to the next generation.
4. What was your favorite moment or activity of this year’s Mucho Amor celebrations?
Thomas: My favorite moment in Mucho Amor this year has been all of the Hispanic Heritage Month activities! Each week we had a question designed to learn more about each other’s cultures and childhoods. Once we had enough questions and answers, we were able to put together a Family Feud style game!
Creating a Stronger Community Together
Hispanic Heritage Month is more than events and activities. It’s about creating connection, building understanding, and making everyone feel that they belong.
Through their stories and reflections, our Mucho Amor ERG reminds us that celebrating culture isn’t just about honoring where we come from, but also about sharing our experiences, learning from one another, and creating a stronger community together.
That’s the spirit of Mucho Amor: celebrating who we are, embracing what makes us unique, and bringing our whole selves to Unqork.