Coca-Cola Philippines and its partners commemorated Earth Day by gathering 444.85 kg of PET bottles and cans between April 16 and 21 as part of the Panaad sa Negros Festival 2024 through the Tindahan Extra Mile (TEM) program, following a successful launch in Bacolod.
In an effort to reduce plastic waste and fight pollution, the program gives micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and owners of sari-sari stores the ability to turn their establishments into places where empty plastic bottles are collected. By gathering bottles, micro-retailers can accrue points that can be exchanged for money and merchandise for their stores.
TEM is a collaboration between Coca-Cola Philippines, Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST), and the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO). As of May, there are over 3,500 TEM members in the country.
This local effort aligns with The Coca-Cola Company’s global World Without Waste strategy. Globally, the company aims to collect and recycle the equivalent of each bottle and can it sells by 2030, make its primary consumer packaging recyclable by 2025, and use an average of 50% recycled material in its packaging by 2030.
TEM is a crucial component of “May Ikabobote Pa,” Coca-Cola Philippines’ consumer engagement campaign, which encourages people to recycle their empty bottles and cans. Customers may find out the closest pickup locations and further information about the company’s recycling programs by visiting the Coca-Cola Philippines Sustainability Hub.
Warm, joyfulservice. Jollibee earned another triumph with its recent inclusion in the Top 10 brands for customer satisfaction in Kuwait. The awards program by Service Hero surveyed over 500 brands in the country.
According to the 2023 Service Hero Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Awards, local food chain Jollibee has been named one of Kuwait’s Top 10 Brands for Customer Satisfaction.
An annual recognition program called the Customer Service Index Awards rewards Kuwait businesses who provide outstanding customer service. It gauges important aspects of the service, like overall satisfaction, expectations, and recommendation likelihood. It also evaluates several aspects of the services, including personnel, location, value for money, staff quality, speed, and dependability. For this list, more than 500 brands in 20 categories were assessed.
“Being recognized among Kuwait’s Top 10 brands for customer satisfaction from over 500 brands is a testament to our commitment to providing customers with great-tasting food served with the warmth and joyful service that the Jollibee brand is known for. This citation is not only a badge of honor for us, but it also means we are fulfilling our promise to our customers,” said Joseph Tanbuntiong, Jollibee Group Chief Business Officer and Head, Jollibee Global.
Meanwhile, Dennis Flores, President of Jollibee Group’s business in Europe, Middle East, and Asia, and Australia (EMEAA), congratulated the Jollibee Kuwait team and franchisee for this milestone recognition: “We celebrate this achievement with all our store and operations teams in Kuwait whose passion and dedication to our mission of serving great-tasting food and bringing the joy of eating to everyone has made this recognition possible. We are also grateful to our customers in Kuwait for their continued support and loyalty to Jollibee.”
“We extend our deepest gratitude to our franchisee Yacoub Aljajery for his steadfast belief in our brand. His hands-on approach not only ensures operational excellence, but also fosters a culture of passion and commitment, making exceptional customer service at Jollibee Kuwait possible,” Flores added.
The Jollibee Group opened the first Jollibee store in Al Watya, Kuwait City in February 2012 through franchisee Yacoub Aljajery of the Al Musaifra Catering Company. Today, Jollibee has seven stores in Kuwait, with loyal fans craving for bestselling products such Chickenjoy and Jolly Spaghetti.
Jollibee as a franchisor of choice
“I chose Jollibee as a franchise because of its strong brand recognition, delicious menu offerings, and the opportunity to introduce Jollibee to Arab/Kuwaiti customers, which has proven to be a successful venture,” said franchisee Yacoub Aljajery. “As a franchisee, I appreciate Jollibee’s comprehensive support system, including marketing assistance, ongoing operational guidance and training programs which have been instrumental in the growth and success of our franchise operations in Kuwait.”
“Being cited as one of the Top 10 brands in Kuwait is a recognition for our dedication and hard work in upholding Jollibee’s standards and values. This award also serves as our source of pride and motivation to continue delivering exceptional service and quality to our customers in Kuwait,” he added.
Jollibee also has stores in other Middle East countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
Recently, Jollibee has been ranked Top 5 Strongest Restaurant Brand in the World, overtaking more established Quick Service Restaurant brands, according to the latest annual brand ranking report by Brand Finance, the world’s leading independent brand valuation agency. Jollibee has elevated its rating from AA- to AAA. In addition, Jollibee is the only Philippine brand listed in the 2024 Top 25 Most Valuable Restaurant Brands and Top 10 Strongest Restaurant Brands.
The brand has also been cited as the Top 2 fastest-growing restaurant brand in the world. Surging by an impressive 51% to USD2.3 billion in brand value, Jollibee ascended from rank 20 to rank 17 in this year’s Global Restaurant Rankings.
Serving joy. The Jollibee Kuwait team has shown passion and dedication in providing exceptional customer service to customers who crave for bestsellers Chickenjoy and Jolly Spaghetti.
Outside of the Philippines, mainstream customers are still gravitating for Jollibee. Mainstream non-Filipino locals make up around 100% of the clientele in Vietnam and Brunei, 81% in Malaysia, 80% in the UK, 70% in Singapore, and 60% in Hong Kong. This demonstrates the brand’s attractiveness on a worldwide scale.
Jollibee Group flagship brands in the ranking
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf TM, another brand owned by the Jollibee Group, is ranked among Kuwait’s Top 10 Brands for Customer Satisfaction. In the café category, it likewise came out on top. The flagship brand for the coffee and tea industry under the Jollibee Group is CBTL.
(L-R) Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) Senior Vice President Makoto Tanabe, APC Chief Sustainability Officer Ernie Carlos, ACEN Senior Account Manager Elisah Cabato, APC President Koichi Ozaki, APF Bulacan Factory Director Juanito Ramos Jr. and APF Bulacan Factory Manager Kei Tanigawa.
Concerning the mitigation of plastic waste and lowering its carbon footprint, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) remains a leader in the market. APC has been joining the Ajinomoto Group’s long-running campaign to promote environmental causes, which aims to educate the next generation about the need to live in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world. As Ajinomoto tightened their engagement to promote a greener world, they did such interesting and helpful programs in their own ways. They also let us have a great time in their place and discover things such as how they value their products. We also discovered how they pack their products in a way that is according to their vision of having a greener environment.
The SariCycleTM Program was introduced by APC, the Quezon City Local Government, and Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies (BEST) Incorporated only this year. This program makes it possible to implement an incentive-based model of community action that reduces the amount of single-use plastic waste generated and motivates all members of the community to participate in being environmental stewards. In just three months of operation since its start in January 2024, the SariCycleTM Program has been able to collect over 1,000 kg of single-use plastics and onboard 359 sari-sari businesses in Quezon City. The initiative offers Ajinomoto product bundles and Environmental Points (EPs), which can be redeemed for cash at participating merchants, as incentives to support the livelihoods of its retail partners, known as “SariCyclers.”
Following this was the official signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between APC and ACEN RES. Back in 2022, a 1MW-peak capacity Solar Rooftop installation on the APF Bulacan Factory comprised of more 2,000 solar panels was energized, effectively reducing its annual carbon footprint from electricity consumption by 18%.Today, APF Bulacan is running on 100% renewable energy. Since January of 2024, the APF Bulacan Factory has saved around Php 2,000,000 in electrical expenses and has reduced their monthly carbon footprint by ~95% by transitioning to full renewable energy. To commemorate the turnout of these efforts, APC and ACEN conducted a Badge Turnover Ceremony. APC was one of the first companies to receive the new generation of ACEN Renewable Energy Badge – awarded to partner facilities who are supplied with 100% renewable energy.
The AjiPanda Diner at Ajinomoto Philippines Flavor Food, Inc. or APF Bulacan Factory.
Aside from being a beacon of sustainability, the APF Bulacan Factory also boasts of its newly opened canteen that serves healthy and good food! At the official opening of the “AjiPanda Diner”, a factory tour was also conducted for some of Ajinomoto Philippines’ invited guests from the media. The group were first given a brief history of Ajinomoto, an orientation on the factory dresscode, safety precautions and the proper conduct during the tour before heading to each station at the factory. The tour was concluded with a lunch buffet highlighting Filipino dishes we all grew up loving like Chicken Tinola, Pork Adobo and Chopsuey, all thoughtfully cooked using Ajinomoto products.
On the way to factory tour at APF Bulacan with media friends Ajinomoto Philippines’ media guests are all suit up at the Production Area during their factory tour at APF Bulacan.
APC Group’s Workplace Nutrition Program provides free vegetable dishes to all Bulacan Factory employees on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in addition to the comfortable and soothing atmosphere of the AjiPanda Diner. As promised by its name, the “AjiPanda Diner,” the cafeteria serves food to both workers and guests of the facility, providing a wholesome Ajinomoto experience. To guarantee that every meal is given with quality and the best flavors, Ajinomoto goods are used to make a wide variety of delectable dishes that both staff and guests can feast their eyes on within the complex!
ONE TEAM. All smiles under the scorching heat at the façade of APF Bulacan’s newly opened AjiPanda Diner. I enjoyed the plant tour at APF Bulacan
As they reflect on these achievements, APC is proud to say that they are still fully committed to reaching the sustainability targets outlined in their 2030 Roadmap. APC’s long-term projects continue to grow and change in response to the demands of the Filipino community while maintaining their primary goal of protecting the environment so that everyone can genuinely Eat Well and Live Well by adopting the Ajinomoto way of life.
Growing together. Jollibee Group and its partners Lamb Weston and McCain Foods provide customers worldwide with the best quality potato products.
The Jollibee Group, a multinational restaurant chain dedicated to sustainable business practices, understands the need of collaborating with suppliers like Lamb Weston and McCain Foods, who also share the company’s dedication to ethical sourcing.
Core to Responsible Sourcing
McCain Foods is a Canadian corporation that specializes in potato goods, particularly fries. It has been a dependable supplier to the Jollibee Group for 20 years. The Jollibee Group collaborates closely with 3,500 farmers to rethink more sustainable potato cultivation practices.
Shared agricultural goals. Jollibee Group and Lamb Weston are committed to creating progress for the planet. Both companies support sustainable agriculture practices that continuously improve their processes and adopt the latest equipment and technology.
Anchored in its regenerative agricultural practice, Farms of the Future supports farmers in adopting techniques that conserve water, minimize chemical fertilizer usage, and enhance soil health. These efforts contribute to its inclusive goal of empowering its farmers to face threats in the global food system, such as climate change, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and food waste.
McCain Foods aims to further its commitment to responsible sourcing by operating three Farms of the Future in different growing regions on top of its locations in Canada and South Africa by 2025. This project is one of several initiatives that helped place McCain Foods at the 55th rank in the 2023 Food and Agriculture Benchmark. The Food and Agriculture Benchmark is part of the World Benchmarking Alliance, which provides an essential tool for measuring and comparing corporate performance with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It measures and ranks 350 keystone companies – from farm to fork – on key issues underpinning the food systems transformation agenda.
For its part, Lamb Weston, a global producer, and processor of frozen potato products, and one of the Jollibee Group’s longtime potato suppliers, has comprehensive sustainability goals focused on food, people, and the planet.
Commitment to customer satisfaction. Jollibee Group and McCain Foods work together to understand and anticipate customers’ needs, enhance their responsible sourcing efforts, and provide delightful and memorable experiences with every meal.
One of its banner initiatives is its Sustainable Agriculture program which continuously improves its processes, adopts the latest equipment and technology, and shares the best practices with its growers. Before introducing them to its growers, Lamb Weston recently piloted its technologies and practices in 100 Circles Farm–its 20,000-acre farm in Paterson, Washington, United States. With this, the company can better understand the opportunities and challenges that the farmers encounter. Lamb Weston has also invested in soil research and technologies, believing that healthy soil is the key to climate resiliency and long-term productivity.
Sustainability across the entire business
Care for the planet. Through its Farms of the Future Project, McCain Foods gains a better understanding of regenerative agricultural practices and their positive impact on the Earth.
The Jollibee Group will strengthen its relationships with international suppliers who share its commitment to sustainability as it pursues its global sustainability strategy, Joy for Tomorrow, in tandem with its continued worldwide expansion.
In order to incorporate its sustainable business practices into a more unified structure that integrates the entire organization and directs its interactions with partners and stakeholders, the Jollibee Group launched Joy for Tomorrow.
CHAMPIONING COMMUNITIES THROUGH CSR. Jollibee Group Foundation’s President Gisela Tiongson (center) and Jollibee Group’s Chief Business Officer Joseph Tanbuntiong (right) accepted the trophy for 3G Championship Award for Community Development and Philanthropy 2024 during the Good Governance Awards on April 29. With them is the Global Good Governance Chairman, Dr. Humayon Dar, who presented the award.
At the 9th Global Good Governance Awards, often known as the 3G Awards, which were hosted in Taguig City, the Jollibee Group was recently presented with the “3G Championship Award for Community Development and Philanthropy 2024.”
Jollibee Group received the award from Cambridge International Finance Advisory (Cambridge IFA), a worldwide financial services intelligence organization, for leading initiatives that have improved the community through the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the company’s social development arm. The Jollibee Group’s efforts to improve its business practices in order to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals were also acknowledged by the award.
“We are honored to receive such a prestigious award from Cambridge IFA. This recognizes the hard work that the Jollibee Group Foundation has done through decades – inculcating our knowledge on food to uplift the livelihood of farmers, feeding schoolchildren so they can graduate, and providing thousands of meals in disaster-stricken areas. We share this recognition with our partners in the government, NGOs, and our employee volunteers for getting together to help achieve a wider impact on more communities,” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jollibee Group. “We will remain committed to improving our business practices and empowering our employees as we continue to serve great-tasting food and bring the joy of eating to everyone.”
JGF promotes improved access to food by implementing programs on agro-entrepreneurship through its Farmer Entrepreneurship Program and on education through the Busog Lusog Talino Feeding Program and the Access, Curriculum, and Employability (ACE) Scholarship Program. The Foundation also spearheads disaster response efforts through the FoodAID program while working with partner organizations and national government agencies in the Philippines and other countries.
Jollibee Group and JGF also recently partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry for a learning session wherein their leaders imparted business development and management knowledge to micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Additionally, JGF and Jollibee Group strengthened their environmental stewardship efforts by incorporating reforestation and mangrove protection into their CSR initiatives. To improve their collaboration on these projects, they recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
3G AWARDEE 2024.On behalf of Jollibee Group and JGF, Jollibee Group Chief Business Officer Joseph Tanbuntiong highlighted in his acceptance speech during the Global Good Governance Awards the company’s goal to help shape various communities through sustainable business practices.
Every year, the 3G Awards program honors social responsibility, openness, and good governance. Numerous organizations and individuals from the corporate world, philanthropic and social sectors, and government and politics from several nations attended. The 3G Awards, which have been staged in various locations across the world for the past nine years, made their debut in Manila this year.
TARA NA SA SARIAYA! Universal Robina Corporation (URC) Flour Division has partnered with the local government unit of Sariaya, Quezon for this year’s Agawan Festival. Aiming to make the festivities bigger and grander, URC will sponsor the “Pinagong” eating activity, “Agawan sa Bagakay,” and the Street Dancing Competition. URC Flour Division Operations Director Dario Arive Jr. and Sariaya Quezon Mayor Marcelo Gayeta led the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing. Witnessing the signing were (L-R) Graziella Mae Pons, URC HR Officer and HR Business Partner; Gemma Tacata, URC Senior Manager and EHSS; Lanie Mendoza, Sariaya Municipal Treasurer and Public Market Administrator; Marivic Gayeta, Organizer – Agawan Festival 2024; and Renaliz Miguel, Representative of Sariaya Tourism Culture and the Arts Office (STCAO).
For a larger and greater celebration of this year’s Agawan Festival, Universal Robina Corporation, through its Flour Division, has teamed with the Sariaya, Quezon local government unit and the Sariaya Tourism Culture and the Arts Office (STCAO).
Every year on May 15, Sariaya, Quezon hosts the Agawan Festival, a harvest celebration honoring Saint Isidore the Laborer, the patron saint of agriculture and bountiful harvests. One of the four harvest festivals observed in the province of Quezon, the event is dubbed the “Happy Pandemonium.”
During the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Sariaya Mayor Marcelo Gayeta and his wife, Marivic Gayeta, who is currently heading the organizing committee of this year’s Agawan Festival, welcomed the sponsorship of URC Flour Division.
“Masayang masaya ang bayan ng Sariaya dahil kasama namin ngayong taon ang Universal Robina Corporation Flour Division. Talagang masasabi naming sila ay kaagapay ng ating bayan sa pagpapaunlad dahil sa kanilang bagong bukas na planta na tiyak magbibigay ng trabaho sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Sariaya” Mayor Gayeta shared.
The URC Flour Division is one of the top flour millers in the Philippines. With plants located in Manila, Sariaya, and Davao, the division has a combined milling capacity of 2,150 metric tons per day. The state-of-the-art flour mills and blending facilities allow the division to manufacture customized products that fit the specific needs of its customers.
URC’s sponsorship of the Agawan Festival 2024 is the company’s way of appreciating Sariaya’s support when the town welcomed the opening and operation of their flour mills and blending facilities located in Barangay Talaan, Aplaya Road in Sariaya, Quezon.
The company will sponsor some of the activities including: the “Pinagong” eating activity targeting 3,000 people; the “Agawan sa Bagakay” with special prizes to be won by participants; and the Street Dance contest where dancers will be using “upcycled” sacks as their costume. URC will be donating used flour sacks for the dancers to use in their presentation.
“We creatively developed the “Pinagong” eating activity. Since URC is a producer of quality and world-class flour, we will donate our products to our partner bakeries for them to produce 3,000 pieces of the town’s famous and delicious “Pinagong” breads. Aside from the procession and other fun activities, this unique eating event will be one of the highlights of this year’s Agawan Festival. Exciting is an understatement for this activity!” said Naida Ebora, Sales, Marketing and Distribution Director, URC Flour.
Marivic Gayeta, wife of Mayor Gayeta and lead organizer of this year’s Agawan Festival, is also thrilled with the collaboration. “Ikinalulugod ng bayan ng Sariaya na kami ay inisponsoran ng URC sa aming nalalapit na kapistahan. Sigurado kami na ang aming mga kababayang makikilahok sa pagdiriwang ng fiesta, pati na rin ang mga turista na dadayo at makikisali ay matutuwa sa mga programang aming hinanda kasama ng URC.”
The annual Agawan Festival features a fiesta procession where people playfully snatch goodies and other produce hanging from the houses (or “pabitin”) as the parade winds its way down the streets. Colorful buntal hats are festooned all over the façade of houses. String beans are draped on windows like curtains, and banana leaves are used to adorn fences. The most traditional elements in the decorations are the bagakay, or young bamboo branches from which junk food, native delicacies such as the kiping, fruits, candies and money, are hung for people to collect as they pass by.
In 2024, the yearly celebrations will mark their 25th year. The town’s former parish priest, Rev. Fr., is recognized for creating the term “Agawan.” Raul Enriquez was an advocate for the town’s 1999 quadricentennial celebration and the previous head of the Sariaya Tourism Council.
The commissary has fulfilled one of the Waste Reduction focus areas of Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda
While all Jollibee Group-owned and brand commissaries are already engaged in their own waste reduction efforts, Mang Inasal Marilao commissary is the first site to reach a 100% Zero Waste to Landfill status in 2023. Their concerted waste reduction efforts include co-processing residual waste (as seen in the photo) as alternative fuel for cement production.
In keeping with its efforts to strengthen its sustainability practices, the Jollibee Group celebrates the strengthening of the implementation of its Corporate Supply Chain Sustainability Program, which spans 11 company-owned commissaries and one logistics center nationwide, marking a major milestone for one of its brands.
The comprehensive program aims to achieve significant goals and efforts related to waste reduction, water and energy efficiency, and alignment with the Jollibee Group’s Joy For Tomorrow sustainability plan.
Mang Inasal’s (MI) Marilao Commissary is pushing the trash reduction initiative farther; in 2023, it attained Zero trash to Landfill Status. The MI Marilao Commissary made use of co-processing residual waste as an alternative fuel for cement manufacture, recovering and repurposing scrap garbage, and turning organic waste into compost in order to accomplish this.
During the 2020 baseline year, MI Marilao Commissary has sustainably disposed of 53% of its total waste. With the leaders and the team’s dedication and teamwork, the site has gradually increased its sustainable disposal to 85% in 2021, 91% in 2022, and 97% at the start of 2023 before reaching 100% status by June of 2023.
Waste Reduction is one of the focus areas of the Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda whose goals include reducing food loss and waste to landfill in the manufacturing process.
Sustainability achievements
Waste Reduction is one of the focus areas of the Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda whose goals include reducing food loss and waste to landfill in the manufacturing process. These goals were set to contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly “Responsible Consumption and Production” (Goal #12).
Jose Miñana Jr., Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer at the Jollibee Group, underscored the company’s proactive approach to integrating sustainable waste management practices into operations. “We prioritize recovering, reusing, and recycling waste that contribute to the creation of a more sustainable food system, ensuring that we can continue to nourish and sustain our communities and our planet for future generations.”
During the 2020 baseline year, MI Marilao Commissary has sustainably disposed of 53% of its total waste. With the leaders and the team’s dedication and teamwork, the site has gradually increased its sustainable disposal to 85% in 2021, 91% in 2022, and 97% at the start of 2023 before reaching 100% status by June of 2023.
The production locations of the Jollibee Group across the nation achieved a combined 42.8% reduction in waste-generated ratio last year compared to the company’s 2020 baseline thanks to its ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices. Over 51% of its garbage was disposed of sustainably by the end of 2023, a notable rise from 39.7% in 2021.
“The results achieved by Mang Inasal’s Marilao Commissary will be our benchmark for waste reduction implementation across all Jollibee Group manufacturing sites in the country, consistent with our commitment to maximize use of resources and reduce our impact on the environment,” stressed Michael Ong, vice president and head of supply chain at Jollibee Group.
(L-R) Hironori Aoki, Director for Sales, Marketing and Public Relations of Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC), Taro Fujie, President and CEO of Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Koichi Ozaki, President of APC and Ernie Carlos, Chief Sustainability Officer of APC.
With specific strategies up until 2030 that aim to promote the improvement of environmental health and human wellness, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. and the entire Ajinomoto Group are continuing to march towards a better and sustainable future. The multinational corporation seeks to improve consumer value, promote a healthy lifestyle, and address important food and health issues in order to help one billion people live longer lives worldwide.
The leadership by example of Ajinomoto’s President and CEO, Mr. Taro Fujie, who visited the Philippines and hosted a media conference in Quezon City, is evidence of the company’s dedication to helping to create a healthy future for everyone. Mr. Taro gave a summary of the 2030 Strategic Roadmap and the Ajinomoto Group’s Medium-Term ASV management during the discussion.
During Mr. Taro Fujie’s speech, he reiterated Ajinomoto’s core purpose, which is to be able to contribute to the well-being of all human beings, our society and our planet with “AminoScience”. With this, Ajinomoto aims to reduce our environmental impact by 50% in turn, regenerate our environment, and help extend the life expectancy of one billion people through better health and life. True to Ajinomoto’s corporate slogan, Eat Well, Live Well, Mr. Taro Fujie shares that the company has been relentless in living up to its ways, with creating new value, championing the pioneer spirit, engaging in social contribution, which all ultimately values people, not just their customers. All these efforts are rooted all the way back from the company’s founding, where Ajinomoto promotes management that co-creates social value and economic value through its business, which they coined as ASV or the Ajinomoto Group Creating Shared Value.
“2030 is closer than we all think it is, but it is my great honor to share with you, that we, in the whole of Ajinomoto Group, will remain as enthusiastic as we are now, to achieve what needs to be achieved for the betterment of our society, and all of us in this world, and that we share every milestone with you, as our companions in this journey,” says Mr. Taro Fujie, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. President and CEO.
Mr. Taro Fujie has also set the expectations that the Ajinomoto Group has for Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC), which he is confident that APC will do everything in its capabilities to achieve. APC is expected to keep contributing to resolving social issues for the well-being of the Filipinos, the society, and the planet through initiatives led by the ASV, while being able to diversify its business steadily progressing from seasonings to frozen foods, supplements, and more in the future.
“It is my pleasure, and a great honor, to meet you all today, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation. I am indeed certain that you will continue to cultivate an environment where employees remain diverse, highly motivated, and engaged, as you are our essential and greatest intangible assets.” ends Mr. Taro Fujie.
Earlier during the day, Mr. Taro Fujie and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte engaged in an exchange where outlooks focused on sustainability and community development through co-creating a greener tomorrow, through the Saricycle Program of APC. Mr. Taro Fujie was also able to engage in a first-hand experience as he visited one of the participating sari-sari stores in Feria Road Old Balara, Quezon City.
The road to a more sustainable tomorrow is paved by innovative strategies and collaborations. Just recently, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation partnered with different stakeholders, including the Local Government of Quezon City and Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies (BEST), for the SariCycle Program. The program is a flagship plastic collection drive of APC Group that is focused on sari-sari stores and market stalls which incentives them to collect Single Use Plastics (SUPs) or Flexible Plastics from their customers which the store owner can exchange for Environmental Points (EPs) that is good as cash for participating merchants. APC also partnered with ACEN Res, allowing APC’s Bulacan factory to run on 100% renewable energy, with the goal of lessening its environmental footprint.
From 2011 till 2015, Mr. Taro Fujie served as president of Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation. And he has returned to the Philippines after nearly a decade, this time in the capacity of President and CEO of Ajinomoto Co., Inc. He has conveyed his appreciation to the APC Group and, above all, the Filipino community, which has long supported the Ajinomoto name. Ajinomoto genuinely believes that in the near future, all of our combined efforts will undoubtedly be enjoyed by the generations to come, whose mindsets have been instilled with the same responsibility of taking part in nurturing our environment while living a healthy life. Ajinomoto is committed to serving the community through managing the Ajinomoto business and co-creating a better future for everyone.
Many of us are looking for meaningful ways to honor the amazing ladies in our lives as Mother’s Day draws near. Why not give your mother a memorable, hassle-free homemade dinner this year? You can easily make recipes like Chicken Meatballs and Bistek Tagalog with Purefoods Heat & Eat Viands, making sure your mom feels particularly cherished and valued on her special day.
Do you recall the times when your mother prepared every meal at home with love? It’s your turn now to return the favor by making her favorite dishes. Imagine how satisfying it would be to serve tasty, slow-cooked meals that only take a few minutes to prepare. These handy snacks provide a solution that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or quality, whether you’re a working parent balancing work and family obligations or you just want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time cherishing moments with loved ones.
Preparing a delicious meal with Purefoods H&E Viands is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Simply heat the dish over the stove or pop it in the microwave for 8-10 minutes, and you’re ready to enjoy a hearty and wholesome feast. Add your favorite veggies to complement the flavors and elevate the dish to new heights of culinary delight. What’s more, they offer a diverse range of ulam options, making meal planning a breeze. Whether your mom prefers traditional Filipino favorites or craves something a bit more adventurous, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Bring a delightful and surprising twist to classic Filipino dishes by following these recipes from the HomeFoodie website and create a Sweet and Sour Meatball or an elevated Bistek Stroganoff.
Fry meatballs in a deep pan with hot oil for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Drain excess oil on paper towels and set aside.
In a saucepan, add 2 tbsp used oil. Sauté onion, then add remaining ingredients. Stir continuously until mixture simmers and thickens. Adjust seasonings as needed.
Add cooked meatballs and simmer once.
Makes 4-5 servings (Yield: 20-24 pc/4 pc per serving)
This Mother’s Day, make the most of the chance to spend time with your mother and family rather than spending hours in the kitchen. You can concentrate on making priceless experiences that will last a lifetime when you use Purefoods Heat & Eat. Adding a little bit of home to your Mother’s Day celebration has never been simpler thanks to these products, which are available at top supermarkets, grocers across the country, and online at San Miguel Mart, Lazada, or Shopee.
Make this Mother’s Day memorable by honoring the key women in your life with Purefoods Ready-to-Eat. After all, every moment becomes an opportunity to express your love and gratitude when spending quality time is made simple.
Celebrating women in agriculture. Women represent more than 30% of farmers under the Jollibee Group Foundation’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), which enables smallholder farmers to enhance their technical and business skills so they can improve their harvest and their livelihood.
Women have made major contributions to agriculture, a field generally associated with men, yet these achievements are sometimes overlooked. According to official data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, from 2007 to 2016, roughly 25% of workers in the agricultural sector are women. However, a report from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) suggests that this figure may not accurately reflect real participation on the ground.
A significant portion of women may be underreported in the agricultural industry since, according to the PCW’s website, “women’s work in agriculture is normally considered to be extensions of their household tasks and therefore not reported as work.”
The Jollibee Group highlights the stories of three female farmers in this article as evidence that women may prosper in the agricultural industry.
Celebrating women farmers
Maricel Sevilleja of San Jose, Nueva Ecija; Noralyn Lopez of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur; and Bernadeth Carandang of Magallanes, Cavite are among the women farmers under the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) of the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the social development arm of the Jollibee Group.
The FEP was started in 2008 to help smallholder farmers become entrepreneurs—they learn technical and business skills so they can improve not only their produce, but also their source of livelihood. JGF partners with various organizations to provide the training and interventions, such as helping famers form clusters, so they can collectively meet the volume and quality requirements of buyers like the Jollibee Group.
Sevilleja, now 41 years old and a mother of two, started farming in 2006 when her parents became too old to farm. “Farming is not only for men. We can do what men can,” she said. “Farming may be hard but when you think about it, no work in this world is easy. We only need to learn how to love and enjoy our work.”
“To my fellow women farmers, don’t be afraid to grow and learn more about modern farming. For those who would like to become farmers, welcome! Let’s show the world that women can be great farmers too.”
Like Sevilleja, Noralyn Lopez is also a farmer’s daughter. But farming wasn’t her first choice for work. “Six years akong nagtrabaho as office staff. Tumigil ako last year at nagsimulang tumulong sa tatay ko sa pag-supply ng onion sa Jollibee Group,” she shared.” (I worked as an office staff for six years. I stopped working last year to help my father in farming onions to supply to the Jollibee Group.)
Lopez also shared her encouraging experience: “Wala naman ng gender issue. May gender equality naman na po. Ang mga kasama naman namin sa farming, itinuturing naman na akong kapatid.” (There’s a sense of gender equality. My colleagues see me as their sibling.)
Thriving in agriculture work. Bernadeth Carandang (middle in sky blue) and other women farmers proudly show their harvested onions. Aside from being a farmer, Bernadeth is also a teacher and a leader of the Mag-Samakame farmers’ cooperative in Cavite.
Bernadette Carandang shares the same sentiment. “Kaming mag-asawa, parehong magsasaka. Hindi limitasyon ang pagiging babae para sa ganitong larangan,” she said. (My husband and I are both farmers. Being a woman should never be a hindrance for this type of work.)
Before becoming a farmer, Carandang used to work in an electronics company. Today, she’s also a teacher and a farmer leader of Mag-Samakame cooperative in Cavite. She emphasized the need for sustained programs that help farmers improve their livelihood, such as the FEP.
Helping farmers to become entrepreneurs
“Tinuruan ako ng FEP na gawing matatag na negosyo ang pagsasaka,” Carandang shared. “Bukod sa kaalaman sa makabagong pagsasaka dahil sa mga bigay nitong teknikal na kaalaman, ang paghubog sa aking kamalayan na ang pagsasaka ay isang profession ay hindi matatawaran.” (FEP taught me to turn farming into a stable business. Apart from the technical skills in modern farming that I have learned from them, I have also developed the mindset that farming is a profession. This to me is invaluable.)
The Jollibee Group sources its veggies, including tomatoes, green bell peppers, and white onions, directly from smallholder farmers in the Philippines, including Sevilleja, Lopez, and Carandang, for use in a few of its products, including Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal. FEP farmers have produced sales of P370 million over the past five years.
“The Jollibee Group is one of the few institutional buyers. That’s a lot of money you’re making. Currently, we are planning to coordinate with our local government unit to make our connection with institutional buyers more transparent,” Carandang stated. (The Jollibee Group is our first institutional buyer; as a result, our income has increased.) We hope to work with our local government unit to strengthen our relationship with institutional buyers.
Capacitating women in agriculture. These women farmers from San Jose, Nueva Ecija, receive agro-entrepreneurship training from JGF and representatives of local government units.
But one of the greater challenges that must be addressed these days is how the younger generation perceives farming. “Sabi ko nga sa mga estudyante ko, ‘Ano ang gusto niyo maging pag dating ng araw?’ Walang may gusto mag farming. Ngayon, tinuturuan ko sila na angagriculture ay hindi pang mahirap. Ito ay business. Kung may farmer, may pag-asa,” Carandang said. (I asked my students, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ No one wants to become a farmer. Now I’m teaching them that farming is not a poor man’s job. It is a business. When we have more farmers, we have more hope for the future.)
