PORAC, Pampanga — Mekeni Food Corporation continues to recognize children of its employees for academic excellence for the school year 2022-23, with a Summa Cum Laude topping this year’s batch of awardees.

 

 

This year, Mekeni conferred the Galing Ng Batang Mekeni Award (GBMA) to 155 children who have excelled in various levels of education. The award also honors parents for their guidance and hardwork as they provide for children’s needs and education.

This year’s topnotcher is Catherine Labandaria who graduated as Summa Cum Laude in BS in Aeronautics Engineering at the Holy Angel University. She was just in 1st Grade when she received her first recognition as Galing ng Batang Mekeni first batch awardee. She has not missed making it to the GBMA every year. Her father, Ariel Labandaria, is a Quality Assurance Specialist, was also honored.

 

 

“We are glad that children of our employees get better with each passing year and we can only appreciate them and their parents for putting high premium on education,” Mekeni President Pruds Garcia said.

GBMA is an annual recognition program of Mekeni that was first given on May 31, 2008 to only 25 students at that time.

Now on its 16th year, the award is given under the company’s Employee Engagement Program that is aimed at motivating the children of Mekeni employees to excel in their education and to appreciate the hard work of their parents as they provide for their daily needs.

In her speech, Labandaria shared her appreciation of this special program and encouraged all awardees to inspire others in pursuing their dreams despite their fears, difficulties, and challenges.

She said that she looks forward to the annual recognition as it reaffirms the fruits of hardwork, discipline, perseverance and dedication of both parents and co-awardees. The event also serves as a venue for the awardees to showcase their talents such as playing musical instruments, singing and dancing.

All the awardees went home “Galing Medal” and cash awards from Mekeni.

 

 

Before this in-house recognition, the company initiated a similar program extended to public schools in the community that honored top graduates and students who won district-level competitions. The said recognition was extended to their mentors/teachers who guided the winning students.

The Galing ng Batang Mekeni Award program is dedicated to the founders, Tatay Felix Garcia and the late Nanay Meding Garcia, both public educators, who are strong believers that education is key in uplifting the quality of life of every Filipino family.

Mekeni Food Corporation joined hands with RP Healthcraft Carrier Foundation Inc. - Hospital on Wheels (HOW) through the assistance of the local government of Porac, PhilHealth Regional Office III, and Barangay officials of Manibaug to provide free medical care to citizens of Pampanga last February 25.

The lack of basic healthcare has been a perennial problem in the country, which was even more highlighted during the pandemic. Hence, in the hopes of helping the community, Mekeni supports this kind of advocacy. "We are glad to be a beacon of hope to our fellow Kapampangan, even in our small ways. We will always extend assistance to help our fellow Kapampangan," Mekeni President Pruds Garcia said.

 

 

Founded in 2007, HOW, headed by Dr. Jim Sanchez, aims to reach underprivileged citizens in the country by bringing a fleet of vehicles carrying medical practitioners and equipment to conduct various medical treatments.

To help HOW further realize its goal of reaching more Filipinos in remote areas, Garcia and Mekeni’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Team joined the fleet of medical practitioners on the second day of the medical-surgical mission in Barangay Camias, Angeles City where they provided free medical services to our fellow katutubo.

 

 

 

 

This March, the Hospital on Wheels will be conducting medical missions in Subic and Botolan, Zambales. You may visit them there for free medical treatments.

 

It is that time of year again for Mekeni Food Corporation as they have concluded their annual gift-giving tradition to select institutions in Pampanga.

Led by HR Supervisor and Safety Officer Apple Garcia, Mekeni employees, represented by the members of its Emergency Preparedness and Response Team (EPRT), brought assorted groceries, personal care essentials, and gift packs to Bahay Pag-ibig (home for the aged) in San Fernando; Munting Tahanan ng Nazareth(for special and abandoned children) and Duyan ni Maria (home for abandoned children) in Mabalacat; and Children’s Home of Immaculate Mary (home for abandoned children) in Angeles.

“We are committed to doing this annual activity to inspire and give our beneficiaries hope, especially now that we have yet to fully overcome the effects of the pandemic. We are delighted that our employees and the whole Mekeni family have imbibed the company’s culture of gratitude and malasakit,” said Assistant Vice President for HR and Export Marilou Uy.

 

 

Since 2008, the Mekeni management team and employees have been sharing their time, resources, and hearts through this program. The pandemic may have changed the way they executed the turnover of items, but it did not change the organization’s level of generosity.

Before the pandemic, Mekeni employees used to spend a day in the institutions to interact with beneficiaries. There were mini-programs, games, and kumustahan. However, when the pandemic happened, they only dropped off the gifts in designated areas to ensure safety precautions could be maintained.

With the combined generosity of the management and the employees, Mekeni was able to provide food and personal care supplies that could sustain the basic needs of over 200 beneficiaries in the next few months.

“This annual activity embodies our favorite saying ‘we rise by lifting others’. We hope that with this simple act, our beneficiaries feel the love, positivity, and joy that we wish to bring, especially this season,” said Mekeni President Pruds Garcia.

 

 

The annual gift-giving program is one of Mekeni’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs geared towards continuing the value of gratitude and malasakit, and fulfilling its mission to uplift lives.

“For 14 years, this program has reminded us that small acts of love and joy can have significant impacts on other people’s lives. In every way we can, we will continue to serve and uplift others’ quality of lives through our CSR programs,” said Uy.

Delegates from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (PCCIJ) and officials of the Embassy of the Philippines-Tokyo recently visited the Mekeni Food Corporation’s headquarters in Pampanga.

The group, led by PCCIJ Chairman Allan Reyes and Agricultural Attaché Jose I.C. Laquian, went to Mekeni for a tour of the facility to gain a better understanding of the food manufacturing process and to know more about Mekeni’s biosecurity measures.

 

 

Mekeni, a home-grown brand that is starting to strengthen its international market, is the first heat-treated meat processing facility accredited by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the first and only meat processing facility in the Philippines to be accredited by the Japanese government to export products to the country.

Mekeni is also one of the pioneers in food safety and quality in the Philippines. It is the first in Asia and second in the world to be certified compliant with ISO 22000, and the first hotdog and marinated meat processing plant in the Philippines to be accorded certification for FSSC 22000.

These milestone accreditations demonstrate that Mekeni meets the highest and globally recognized standards of the food safety management system.

PCCIJ aims to further develop and advance the relationship between the Philippines and Japan through partnerships and trade. The visit gave a glimpse of how Mekeni is at par with global organizations in terms of food safety and quality.

“It is an honor to host our delegates and show some of the processes that we have in place,” said Mekeni President Prudencio Garcia. “We hope that they learned from us, and we look forward to working with PCCIJ in the future.”

Another Mekeni food product will be available in the US market soon as Mekeni Food Corporation announced that they are bringing their well-loved tocino through Island Pacific Supermarket.

Mekeni President Prudencio Garcia said that this new development in their world-market journey is a testament to their commitment to uplift the lives of Filipinos and bring pride to the country.

 

 

“This is another step for us to introduce our own Timplang Atin to the rest of the world. When we introduced our first batch of Mekeni-branded products to the US, we want Filipinos abroad and foreigners alike to have access to the world-class quality and taste we offer,” said Garcia.

Last January, Mekeni made their Kikiam and Fish Balls available on the West Coast also through its partnership with Island Pacific Supermarket, one of the area's biggest Asian/Filipino supermarkets.

The products were widely accepted by the Filipino community on the West Coast. Stocks immediately ran low just a few days after the new products were announced by Island Pacific on their Facebook page.

“We received a lot of positive feedback from families, friends, and friends of friends in the US. Some even asked us to bring more Mekeni products, said Marilou Uy, Mekeni AVP for Export. This inspired Mekeni to speed up its efforts to bring its tocino to the US.

“This is a major feat for a brand like Mekeni that started as a backyard business of a simple family. This milestone is a celebration of the efforts of the whole Mekeni family through the years,” Garcia said.

Before the US, Mekeni exported food products to international markets such as Dubai, Bahrain, Brunei, Qatar, Australia, Canada, and the UK. It is also the first company accredited by the Japanese government to export cooked products to the country.

For over 30 years, it has been known for its world-class manufacturing capabilities. Mekeni is the first in Asia and the second in the world to receive the certificate of compliance with ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System standard. In 2012 and 2013, Mekeni received the Century International Quality ERA Award (Gold Category) in Switzerland and The International Arch of Europe Platinum Award in Germany, respectively, which further cemented its commitment to food safety and quality.

April marks a new fiscal year for Mekeni Food Corporation, one of the leading food manufacturers in Luzon.

To celebrate this new beginning, the company gathered its leaders and department heads in a simple event held recently in Marriott Clark to discuss their way forward.

 

 

“For two years, we threaded thru the competition through virtual meetings and coordination. It was especially hard for us because before COVID, we experienced one of the greatest threats in our business,” said Prudencio S. Garcia, president of Mekeni. “We looked at 2020 as our renewal year, and although it did not go as planned, the last two years gave us valuable lessons for us to further realize our mission.”

Not new to challenges, the company is bullish about its operations this 2022.

Despite the threats and challenges brought by COVID-19, African Swine Fever, supply chain issues, and global conflicts, Mekeni managed to improve its revenue, launch a new product line for entrepreneurs; grow its business in Visayas and Mindanao; maintain presence in export markets such as in Dubai, Australia Brunei, Bahrain, and just recently, its marine products are exported to the US.

Last February, it also launched its new campaign—Timplang Atin, Timplang Mekeni—and the new look of its flagship store and products, which signaled a new chapter for the brand.

 

 

 

In the event, Garcia thanked its employees for their role in the success of Mekeni.

“Our people are instrumental on why and how we survived the difficult times; and this event is a celebration of all our achievements especially the past two years. Moreover, we are here to remind each other of our bigger purpose—to raise others,” he said.

Despite the uncertainties brought by the COVID pandemic, Mekeni remained true to its mission to serve the community through its social responsibility programs such as Galing ng Batang Mekeni, community pantry donations, emergency response efforts, and annual gift giving activity to select organizations.

Mekeni is intent on growing the business here and abroad; and continue helping its community.

“Now that the company’s priorities are set—end consumers, business partners, and employees—you can expect a better Mekeni in the coming months and years,” Garcia concluded.

Mekeni Food Corporation, a homegrown and multi-awarded food company, formally opened its newly renovated flagship factory outlet in Porac, Pampanga, the place where the business started and flourished. 

Called the Mekeni Marketplace, the store stands in the same place where founders Felix and Meding Garcia first envisioned the family business.

 

Photo shows Mekeni Food Corporation’s Executive Officers and their family with key business partners and employees.

 

“For all of us at Mekeni, especially our family, the opening of Mekeni Marketplace in Barangay Balubad is definitely a heartwarming and special occasion. Tatay Felix and Imang Meding started their dream in this town, and 35 years later, we are still here with a larger and better store to serve our community,” said Mekeni President Prudencio Garcia.

The new Mekeni Marketplace is distinguished by its modern design. The interior has furnishings and elements that give off a refreshing and homey feel. The spacious design and waiting area also allow customers to shop conveniently and safely. Overall, the store exudes simplicity and the Filipino warmth that customers have come to identify with the brand. 

 

The Mekeni Marketplace’s new and homey interior.

 

The store offers Mekeni family favorites such as Picnic Hotdog, GoLite Gluten-free Chicken Longanisa; and Classic Sweet and Tamis-Alat Tocino. It also has sections for ready-to-cook and fresh meat products that are perfect for every Filipino family meal.

According to Garcia, Mekeni’s growth is largely due to the relationships that they have nurtured over the years with loyal stakeholders and customers. 

“With the launch of a new marketplace, we are anticipating a bigger and brighter future. This is a symbol that we remain steadfast in our mission to create more fruitful partnerships and to uplift the lives of our communities, especially during these challenging times,” concluded Garcia. 

In partnership with the provincial government of Pampanga and Pampanga Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (PAMCHAM), Mekeni achieved its target to fully vaccinate nearly 100% of its workforce before the year ends.

Recently, Mekeni employees received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine during the continuation of the company’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout.

"By fully vaccinating our employees, we can keep our workplace safe and healthy for all our stakeholders including their families,” said Mekeni President Pruds Garcia. “We expect that the following days will be hectic and full of festivities as the holiday season comes in full swing, and this is our way to ensure that our employees can observe this season of joy and celebrate with one less thing to worry about.”

Mekeni continuously commits to create safer workspaces for its workers through its collaboration with the provincial government of Pampanga and PAMCHAM. It is now preparing for the booster shots of its employees and is relentlessly encouraging and educating unvaccinated employees.

 

Fully vaccinated Mekeni employees display their vaccination cards as they pose for a photo.

 

"The safety of our people is one of our top priorities in Mekeni. We are committed to protecting their health, and we hope that our efforts will continue to emphasize the urgency and importance of vaccination," Garcia concluded.

Last October 22, four Pampanga-based home and shelter were filled with joy when Mekeni employees donated groceries, snacks, and other gift packs to them.

Continuing their annual tradition, Mekeni visited Munting Tahanan ng Nazareth, Duyan ni Maria, Children’s Home of Immaculate Mary, and Bahay Pag-ibig.

 

Employees from Mekeni led by Marilou Uy, Head of HR and Exports (1st from left), during the gift-giving activity at Munting Tahanan ni Nazareth.

 

"Sharing and giving hope to others, even in small ways, has long been a valued culture in Mekeni. Every year, our employees voluntarily open their hearts and wallets to raise donations so that we can continue this meaningful tradition of giving. We want to celebrate Christmas by shining light on others and reminding them that there is so much good to look forward to, especially in difficult times like these," said Marilou Uy, Mekeni's head of HR and exports.

Through the employees’ initiative and generosity, Mekeni was able to provide gift packages, health care packages, food items, and groceries to over 200 beneficiaries. The recipients from Children's Home of Immaculate Mary, in return, greeted Mekeni employees with a moving performance.

 

Mekeni employees arrive at Munting Tahanan ng Nazareth

 

"We are asked to give back not only to those we love, but more importantly to those who may need a helping hand during these trying times. We all know that even small acts of love and joy can have significant impact on other people's lives. That is why we will continue to engage in events that will inspire and bring a little happiness to our beneficiaries and communities,” added Uy.

 

Groceries, food items, and sanitary supplies donated by Mekeni employees in Bahay Pag-ibig

 

Even with COVID-19 restrictions still present, Mekeni continued giving back to these institutions. They did not let the present situation hinder their mission to uplift the spirits of the beneficiaries.

According to Uy, everyone in the community and around the world has suffered as a result of the global pandemic, and Mekeni ought to do something about it. Mekeni believes that by taking this simple initiative and doing something nice for their beneficiaries, they would be able to brighten their day.

“Mekeni will continue to give hope and make efforts to serve in the communities, provide opportunities, and improve the quality of life of those around them especially after the holidays are over,” concluded Uy.