As the Christmas season approaches, many of us are thinking about how to make our Noche Buena celebrations truly special. It's a time for family, togetherness, and delicious food that brings everyone closer.

One delightful option to consider is Mekeni's range of Christmas hams. Known for their quality and commitment to safety, Mekeni offers a variety of hams that cater to different preferences and budgets, ensuring that everyone can join in the festive cheer.

Whether it’s the rich smokiness of the Gold Premium Ham, the traditional sweet-savory profile of the Deli Premium Ham, or the unique glaze of the Jamon De Bola, each option is crafted with care to enhance your Christmas meal. For anyone seeking a healthier alternative, Premium Chicken Ham is an excellent choice. These hams can serve as a stunning centerpiece or a thoughtful gift for loved ones, making them a versatile choice for any gathering.

Launched as the specialty of the season, these hams are not just food; they’re a way to uphold cherished traditions, especially during Noche Buena. With a focus on accessibility without compromising quality, Mekeni is dedicated to elevating your Christmas experience.

As a trusted name in food processing, Mekeni is committed to safety and community upliftment, providing Filipino families with a reliable and delightful alternative this festive season. The Pear-Shaped Ham and Brick Ham offer budget-friendly options without compromising the flavor of the festive celebration.

This season, let the flavors of Mekeni Christmas Hams add a touch of joy to your celebrations. For more festive inspiration, follow Mekeni Food Corp on Facebook and Instagram. Explore their offerings and see how you can bring warmth and tradition to your table, this Noche Buena!

Mekeni also provides attractive packages and competitive deals for those interested in exploring business opportunities as resellers and distributors- a perfect chance to partner with a reputable brand and bring quality products to your community.

Embodying the Filipino values of malasakit (compassion), Mekeni Food Corporation (Mekeni) continued its tradition of generosity by holding its annual gift-giving program to support communities in need.

On November 08, 2024, employees from the company visited four local institutions in Pampanga.The beneficiaries included Munting Tahanan ng Nazareth and Duyan ni Maria in Mabalacat City, and the Bahay Pag-ibig and Children’s Home of Eucharistic Love and Kindness in San Fernando.

The company donated essential items, including food products, clothing, and toiletries, to the orphanages and care centers to help alleviate the challenges faced by their residents.

"As a company deeply rooted in Filipino values, we at Mekeni are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve," said Mr. Pruds Garcia, President of Mekeni.

 

"Our annual gift-giving program is a testament to our belief in malasakit—a compassion that goes beyond words, reaching out to those who need it most. We are grateful to our employees, who bring heart and dedication to this mission. We hope to inspire hope and uplift lives, one gesture at a time," he added.

The gift-giving activity is part of Mekeni’s ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at uplifting lives, and fostering gratitude, compassion, and community support.

 

Ms. Marilou Uy, the Assistant Vice President for HR and Exports mentioned that in addition to the donation of the management, employees also made financial and in-kind contributions, which played a key role in the program's success.

“We are always humbled and grateful to be able to contribute to the lives of others, especially at this time of year when the spirit of giving is more important than ever,” said Ms. Apple Garcia, HR Head. “At Mekeni, we believe that kindness and compassion are values that should be shared with everyone, and through this program, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of these children and residents.”

“We hope this initiative not only provides immediate relief but also encourages other organizations and individuals to get involved in spreading kindness,” Garcia added.

For over three decades, Mekeni has remained steadfast in its mission to uplift lives, supporting various causes and helping improve the quality of life for marginalized communities.

Porac, Pampanga – The Mekeni Food Corporation recently held its annual blood donation drive, in collaboration with Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital. Among the employees who volunteered to donate, the company was able to fill up 43 blood bags.

Marilou Uy, Mekeni’s assistant vice president for HR and Exports said, “Through an activity like this, we aim to instill a sense of bayanihan to our employees.”

“This will also help our employees improve their well-being while helping to provide a lifeline to other people”, she added.

She also mentioned that the company has been organizing blood donation drives for the past years to promote the employees’ well-being, as it is proven to decrease the risk of heart disease and cancer, as well as help lower cholesterol.

Yet, according to Mekeni’s Occupational Safety and Health Team, which co-led this activity, the company ensured that only volunteers who passed all requirements posed by JBL's medical practitioners proceeded with blood donation.

Mekeni actively collaborates with hospitals and organizations to sustain an ample blood supply for their patients and beneficiaries.

Mekeni Food Corporation, a food processing company in Pampanga, recently partnered with SolarNRG for the installation of a 1,006 photovoltaic (PV) solar panel system in its Main Plant in Porac, Pampanga as part of its efforts in supporting the government’s sustainable development goals.

The solar panel system, installed at the plant’s cold storage facility, currently supplies 20% of Mekeni’s total power consumption. It is expected to generate significant cost savings for the company and reduce carbon footprint by approximately 288,021 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually. Likewise, the solar panel installation is considered equivalent to planting 86,020 trees over 25 years, removing 2,117 cars from the road for 25 years, and recycling 3,890 tons of waste instead of sending it to landfills.

Mehran Cruz Khaledi, SolarNRG's Business Development Manager, announced the successful installation of solar rooftop project at Mekeni’s cold storage facility and expressed enthusiasm for partnering with the homegrown brand. He added that Mekeni and SolarNRG share the same vision in providing environmentally friendly solutions for the Filipino community.

Over the years, Mekeni continues to partner with various agencies to support programs and initiatives aimed at uplifting the lives of the community. This green initiative supports the Department of Energy’s (DOE) goal of reaching 35% renewable energy by 2030, as also aligned with the brand’s mission.

In a statement, Mekeni President Pruds Garcia, said “This is a significant milestone in environmental and economic sustainability for Mekeni. We are hopeful that with the successful pilot run, we can further expand the use of solar energy across the plant as we continue our efforts at the forefront of sustainability development, ensuring a safer and more eco-friendly community”.

Porac, Pampanga—Mekeni Food Corporation (MFC), a homegrown brand and a leader in the food processing industry, recently signed Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) with 3 schools in Pampanga—Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), Mabalacat City College (MCC), and Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU).

The collaborations between Mekeni and three of the biggest schools in Pampanga aim to bridge the gap between industry requirements and academic graduates. In addition, the efforts aim to streamline the recruitment process for both graduates and Mekeni.
Under the signed MOAs between Mekeni, PSAU, MCC, and DVSHU, the parties will collaborate in Research and Development (R&D) projects, technical seminars, career talks, job fairs, food security and sustainable farming systems, physical and human resource training, staff training and student internships, and exchange of scientific information and materials.

Prudencio Garcia, Mekeni's President, stated that the partnership between Mekeni PSAU, MCC, and DHVSU is a milestone not just for the homegrown company, but also for Pampanga's educational sector. He also shared the importance of these collaborations to provide excellent opportunities for students and graduates in the province.

 

Furthermore, Mabalacat City College will be creating a curriculum specifically for Mekeni that is aligned with the current and future needs of the food manufacturing industry, where relevant industry knowledge, such as food safety programs, manufacturing processes, and technological advancements, will be incorporated.

Mekeni will also conduct company briefings and trainings for MCC students to provide an in-depth overview of Mekeni’s history, organizational processes, food safety programs, operational standards, quality expectations, and work values and ethics to properly equip them after completing the program.

 

 

Mekeni’s AVP for HR and Exports, Marilou Uy, expressed her excitement in the partnerships with PSAU, MCC, and DHVSU. She also stated that Mekeni hopes to help bridge the gap between academic learning and industrial needs by developing a workforce that is competent and well-exposed in food processing systems and processes.

Porac, Pampanga—Mekeni Food Corporation recognized the academic excellence of its employees’ children who have achieved academic excellence in their respective schools through their annual Galing ng Batang Mekeni Awards.

Galing ng Batang Mekeni is a program that was established in 2008. It was initially started to help their employees with their children’s education and has grown to become a program that inspires students to excel in school to make their parents and community proud.

Pruds Garcia, president of Mekeni Food Corp shared that this program is close to the heart of the family as it highlights the desire of the company to extend support to the family members of their employees. He further said that the program exhibits the appreciation on the sacrifices of the parents in providing the best future for their children thru education.

This year, Galing ng Batang Mekeni awarded 185 students with two Magna Cum Laudes: Kathreena Louise O. Uy and Mikhaella A. Santos. Uy, daughter of Marilou Uy, AVP for HR/Exports, graduated from the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) with a degree in Business Administration with a major in Human Resource Management. The program was on its 2nd year when she got the first award in Grade 1. In her speech, Uy recalled how she would strive and study hard in order to get academic awards and be included in Mekeni’s recognition program for school achievers. She also advises the co-awardees to never give up whenever confronted with challenges.

On the other hand, Mikhaella Santos, the daughter of Ethelyn Santos, company Dentist, graduated from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) with a degree in Life and Science. She was in 5th Grade when she received her 1st recognition as a Galing ng Batang Mekeni awardee. Since then, she has consistently been recognized as a Galing ng Batang Mekeni awardee.

This year’s guest in the recognition is Jewel Mercado, Head of Synergies Agribubble Inc and Anima Exchange Ltd. She said that Mekeni stands for motivation, excellence, kindness, empowerment, nurture and integrity. She commends Mekeni for supporting programs similar to this which uplifts the quality of life of Filipino families.

Over the years, Mekeni has supported various educational programs and activities within and beyond their hometown of Porac. The strong belief and value of education have been rooted in their founder’s mission. Mekeni’s patriarch, Felix Garcia, and matriarch, the late Meding Garcia, were both public school teachers who have spent their lives educating young minds in Balubad, Porac before starting Mekeni.

“Ever since we were young, our parents have always instilled the importance of education and hard work in me and my four brothers. We have always kept in mind their sacrifices as we were growing up and made sure that all of their hard work would not go in vain. This is the value that we want to show our employees, and hopefully they can also impart that value to their children,” said Garcia.

With the continuation of the Galing ng Batang Mekeni program, Mekeni hopes to help more employees and inspire more students to consistently persevere and work harder towards the realization of their dreams for a better future.

Mekeni, a leading homegrown food manufacturer, joined IFEX Philippines (formerly known as the International Food Exhibition) — the biggest international food and ingredient trade show in the country — at the World Trade Center in Metro Manila. The exhibition started on May 10 and will run until May 12, 2024.

 

 

Mekeni hopes to showcase its wide array of products, from its meats to marinated and marine lines, to export buyers around the world and to IFEX goers through business-to-business meetings (B2B) and product sampling and selling.

 

 

 

 

 

Mekeni currently exports to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Bahrain, Brunei, Qatar, Dubai, Kuwait, Japan, Cayman Islands, Netherlands, New Zealand, Italy, Israel, and France.