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.