Coca-Cola Philippines receives the company’s awards during the Synergy-YouGov Awards night in Bonifacio Global City.

Coca-Cola Philippines was honored with two awards at the Synergy-YouGov Awards on April 24, 2026. The company ranked first in Net Reputation among Sustainability Advocates and was recognized as the Most Improved brand in Net Perceived Value within the Non-Alcoholic Beverages category.

These achievements highlight Coca-Cola Philippines’ strong standing among Filipino consumers, reflecting the brand’s commitment to meaningful initiatives, lasting community engagement, and its dedication to providing quality products and value in everyday experiences.

Trust built through consistent action

Coca-Cola Philippines ranked first in Net Reputation among sustainability advocates, a measure that reflects whether people feel proud or hesitant to be associated with a brand. The result underscores the role of consistency and accountability in building trust.

Maria Christine Ponce-Garcia, Director for Public Affairs, Sustainability and Communications at Coca-Cola Philippines, said the recognition speaks to something the company has long worked toward.

“This award isn’t just recognition. It’s a reflection of trust. The kind that takes years to build and speaks louder than any campaign ever could. To be seen as a company people are proud to be part of — that means everything,” Ponce-Garcia said after receiving the award.

Coca-Cola Philippines’ sustainability work—including waste management, water stewardship, and wellbeing initiatives—is central to that trust. The recognition highlights how these efforts contribute to stronger credibility and long-term relationships with consumers.

“Being a trusted company means contributing in ways that are meaningful not just to our business, but to the communities we serve,” Ponce-Garcia added.

Value rooted in everyday Filipino Life

Coca-Cola Philippines also ranked as the Most Improved brand in Net Perceived Value in the Non-Alcoholic Beverages sector, recording the highest year-on-year improvement between 2024 and 2025. Net Perceived Value measures whether consumers believe a brand offers genuine value for money in terms of meaningfully delivering on what it promises, not just its price point.

Ponce-Garcia said value is about more than the product itself: Value was never about the price tag. It’s about what people feel when they choose you — the confidence that they made the right call. That means delivering quality without compromise, staying within reach, and being there for the everyday moments that shape people’s lives.

In the Philippines, this connection is shaped by strong local relevance. Coca-Cola continues to engage communities and remain part of daily routines, reinforcing its role beyond refreshment.

“We believe value is built by consistently delivering what people expect, showing up in ways that are reliable, relevant, and part of daily life. That’s what allows Coca-Cola to be not just a product, but part of everyday moments, shared meals, celebrations, and simple, everyday connections,” Ponce-Garcia noted.

Continuing to earn trust and deliver value

Presented by Synergy Market Research + Strategic Consultancy, the Synergy-YouGov Awards combine Synergy’s brand and communications expertise with YouGov’s data and insights platform to measure brand health and perception, including reputation, value, and consumer sentiment. These rankings are grounded in consumer data, reflecting how people assess brands over time.

Coca-Cola Philippines’ consistent efforts in sustainability and visible action for community wellbeing contribute to strong positive sentiment within these categories.

The dual recognition also strengthens Coca-Cola Philippines’ focus on trust and value as core to its relationship with consumers. It reflects the collective efforts of its employees, partners, and communities in delivering consistent impact.

According to Ponce-Garcia, the recognition serves as both a validation of the company’s efforts and a reminder of its responsibility moving forward. “Trust is something that must be continually earned. We remain committed to improving, listening to our consumers, and creating meaningful value for both communities and society as we strive to refresh the world and make a positive impact,” she shared.

For more information about Coca-Cola Philippines, visit their official website or follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

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For many Filipino households, milk continues to be an important part of a child’s everyday nutrition, providing essential nutrients that help support healthy growth and overall development. However, despite significant advancements in health and nutrition initiatives through the years, a large number of Filipino children still experience nutritional issues that require focused and effective interventions.

Based on nutrition benchmarks established by the World Health Organization, stunting refers to impaired growth often linked to long-term undernutrition. In the Philippines, data from the  Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) revealed that the prevalence of stunting among children decreased from 44.5% in 1989 to 23.6% in 2023. Although this decline reflects substantial improvement, the current figure remains above the recommended level, meaning that millions of children are still at risk of growth delays and reduced immune function. ​

“It is still a nutritional emergency,” said pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Felizardo Gatcheco, in a lecture held in Cagayan de Oro City. “Kasi, marami parin sa ating mga bata ang maliliit.

Dr. Gatcheco added that changing dietary habits among young children are also contributing to the challenge.

“Today, we are seeing children as young as two or three years old who already prefer milk tea or sugary beverages,” Dr. Gatcheco said. “Some no longer want to drink milk. But milk consumption should not end in the infancy stage. Children of all ages should continue drinking milk, even adults, in fact.”

Beyond undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, often referred to as “hidden hunger”, remain a critical concern. Studies estimate that about 13 percent of Filipino children experience deficiencies in essential micronutrients, with iron deficiency among the most common.

“Globally and in the Philippine setting, anemia is still the most common micronutrient problem that we have,” Dr. Gatcheco explained. “And for many decades, hindi nag-iimprove ang pagiging anemic.”

Iron deficiency can weaken the immune system and impair cognitive development if left unaddressed, making it a critical issue in child nutrition. Lactoferrin, a “miracle molecule” naturally found in milk, is becoming key to changing this situation.​

Lactoferrin: A Bioactive Protein with Immune Benefits

Among the nutrients gaining attention for their potential to address the nutritional challenges among Filipino children is Lactoferrin – a bioactive protein found in breast milk and other mammalian milk, uniquely equipped to tackle both undernutrition and iron deficiency.​

Lactoferrin is often described as a multifunctional molecule that supports immunity in several ways.

“Lactoferrin is sometimes referred to as a ‘miracle molecule’ because it performs multiple biological functions,” explained Dr. Gatcheco. “From the name itself lacto, which means milk, and ferrin, which means iron. Lactoferrin binds iron, supports beneficial gut bacteria, and helps strengthen the immune system – all in one.”

The gut plays a particularly important role in immunity. A 2021 research revealed that about 70 percent of immune cells originate in the gastrointestinal tract, where beneficial bacteria interact with immune cells to help the body respond to infections. Lactoferrin supports the growth of these beneficial bacteria, contributing to a healthier immune environment.

Scientific evidence continues to highlight its potential benefits. A 2020 clinical study found that children receiving lactoferrin supplementation experienced fewer respiratory and diarrhea-related symptoms compared to those who did not receive supplementation. Another study published reported that infants who consumed formula supplemented with lactoferrin had a significantly lower episodes of lower respiratory tract infection like pneumonia (Motoki et al. 2020; Manzoni P 2016).

Researchers say these findings demonstrate how certain bioactive nutrients can help strengthen children’s natural defenses.

Why the Way Milk Is Made Matters

The benefits of nutrients such as lactoferrin depend not only on the ingredients themselves, but also on how milk products are processed and manufactured.

“Processing plays a critical role in preserving the nutritional value of milk,” Dr. Gatcheco explained. “If manufacturing is not done carefully, bioactive components such as lactoferrin can be damaged.”

Traditional milk processing often relies on excessive heat, repeated reheating, or complex manufacturing steps that can degrade delicate vitamins and nutrients, and compromise overall product quality. Today, some manufacturers are adopting simplified processing methods that minimize unnecessary heating and maintain ingredient freshness, helping preserve milk’s natural nutritional value.

“Dapat kaunting proseso lang o minsan, isang proseso lang ang mga gatas,” Dr. Gatcheco advised. “With the one-step processing, you are thereby preserving the greater majority of nutrients, including important bioactive substances that should be retained in milk.”

As the Philippines continues to address the issue of childhood malnutrition, enhancing the nutritional value of food and improving production methods remain important priorities. Innovations in milk processing that help retain essential nutrients, together with increased understanding of beneficial compounds such as lactoferrin, provide valuable opportunities to promote better health among children.

Providing children with access to nutritious foods and encouraging regular milk consumption even beyond their early years can contribute significantly to stronger immune systems, proper growth and development, and a healthier future generation.