The three awardees for this year are (in photo, from left to right) Faith Marie M. Zacal of from PCPPI’s Cagayan De Oro plant, Lucky J. Mallari from the Central Luzon Operations (CLO) and Jona Marie S. Rollan from the Davao manufacturing facility.

Of the awardees, PCPPI president and chief executive officer Frederick D. Ong said, “Our people remain at the core of what makes us proud to be part of PCPPI. The Gold Crown Awards allow us as one team to acknowledge the exceptional contributions of our employees.” He added, “Jona, Lucky, and Faith are among the many brilliant team members who exemplify how true PCPPI Bravehearts are. We look forward to nurturing more inspiring professionals in the future.”

For more information about PCPPI and the organization’s ICARE values, please visit pepsiphilippines.com.

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country, was presented the Corporate Excellence Award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2022 for achieving operational and entrepreneurial excellence. Held last October 20, 2022 in Penang, Malaysia, the APEA ceremony also honored PCPPI President and Chief Executive Officer Frederick D. Ong with the Master Entrepreneur Award. This honor highlights industry trailblazers whose strong entrepreneurial characters inspire up-and-coming leaders.

Since joining PCPPI in 2020, Ong has led the organization in embracing digitization and organizational transformation. He was instrumental in driving the renewal of PCPPI’s go-to-market strategy and the strengthening of its distribution network and expansion of PCPPI’s product portfolio.

PCPPI has also demonstrated its resilience and agility in the face of adversity. Even at the height of the global pandemic, PCPPI remained true to its sustainability commitment with clear focus on developing talent, ensuring profitability, and being responsible stewards of the environment. The organization continued to drive operational efficiencies while ensuring employee well-being. PCPPI also supports health and safety initiatives in the local communities where it operates.

Ong attributed PCPPI’s success to the organization’s initiatives to uphold the ICARE (Integrity and Innovation, Care and Respect, and Excellence and Empowerment) values in how it conducts business and the manner in which employees interact and collaborate.

“Despite recent challenges, PCPPI‘s commitment to our values and our vision remains strong,” said Ong. “We extend our appreciation to the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards for recognizing our contributions to the country’s sustainable growth. These awards motivate us at PCPPI to continue driving business growth without compromise to our commitments to our stakeholders,” he added.

APEA is a regional recognition program spearheaded by non-government organization Enterprise Asia. The annual awards honor organizations and leaders that demonstrate remarkable performance and leadership while remaining true to their social responsibilities.

Aside from the most recent accolades from APEA, Ong was recently named among the Top 50 Rising Tigers in the Asia Pacific by the Asia Leaders Awards. PCPPI has also received the 2022 Golden Globe Tigers Awards for Best Change Management Initiative (for Project SWIFT) and Excellence in the Production of Learning Content (for the GREAT Playbook, PCPPI’s guide to the new normal).

PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of well-known beverage brands in the Philippines: Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, Premier, Milkis, and Aquafina.

PCPPI recently organized a Brigada Eskwela donation drive to raise material resources to help students and teachers adapt to new modes of blended learning during these challenging times.

“PCPPI has always been fully supportive of DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela initiatives since 2015. And now, as the shift to remote learning was implemented across the country, schools need our help all the more to provide them with tools to facilitate online teaching and ensure continuity of education. Under any circumstance, no students shall be left behind,” said Vivian Cheong, PCPPI’s SVP for HR and Corporate Affairs.

PCPPI was able to gather materials for module production, printers, and equipment for connectivity. This is to ensure that the learning delivery modalities are effectively implemented and education remains accessible to all.

The donations were turned over to PCPPI plants’ adopted schools in different communities all over the Philippines last October, just in time for the opening of classes. Beneficiary schools include 18 Elementary and High Schools across the country which belong to communities that host PCPPI’s various manufacturing plants and offices.

PCPPI distributed almost two thousand cases of Pepsi Cola products, or around 40,000 bottles, to respond to the needs of families and communities from Bicol, Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and North Luzon.

“The consecutive typhoons have greatly affected our countrymen in Luzon. This is while the country reels from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. To help them recover, PCPPI is sending those products to continuously hydrate and refresh them as they slowly aim to get back on their feet. And we hope to let them know that we are thinking of them and that we are here ready to help,” said PCPPI president Frederick Ong.

The company has already distributed to some municipalities in Albay, Isabela, and Cagayan, which were some of the most adversely affected provinces by the recent disasters. PCPPI has also been closely coordinating with the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices for an efficient distribution system of the products to the target communities.

When the National Government mandated all business establishments to implement COVID-19 Prevention and Control Measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) complied and implemented immediate and essential changes in its operations in order to ensure the safety and well-being of its people.

PCPPI created a playbook that contains action points, policies, and procedures, and served as a primary guide to the company’s “new normal”.

“This playbook aims to help our employees, or our Bravehearts, get and stay on track. It offers easy-to-read tips and measures as we return to work and live under the new normal. This also reminds us to continue caring for ourselves and one another. I hope that with this playbook, our employees will be able to re-build their momentum and work with renewed strength, so we can help sustain our organization and continue its growth during and beyond the new normal,” PCPPI President and CEO Frederick Ong said.

PCPPI believes improving one’s health and well-being is fundamental in the country’s fight against COVID-19. This playbook is also meant to promote mental health awareness through effective people management.

“Aside from educating and enforcing the new working protocols that both the government and science prescribe on the new normal, that includes frequent hand washing, social distancing, and wearing of face mask/shield, in PCPPI, we understand that our employees’ health and welfare start mainly with self-care and their mental well-being,” Ong added.

The company encourages its employees to practice self-care. Their own health and well-being must come first before anyone and anything else. The playbook also provides mental health care tips, as mental health is as important as physical health, especially during this time of a pandemic.

It is important to stay socially connected while physically distanced. Here are PCPPI’s pieces of advice in mental health care:

• Maintain connections with friends, family, and loved ones. Leverage on technology.
• Develop coping skills.
• Seek medical and professional help when needed.

Embracing changes

PCPPI welcomed changes through three interdependent focus areas in the playbook. The first focus area dubbed “Great to be back”, highlighted the importance of getting the correct information and guidance on the new normal; the second focus area called “Great to be Pepsi” talked about setting the right mindset as employees embark on the new normal; and lastly, the “Great for others” focus area is about taking action for others and the environment.

The company also conducted a series of webinars on COVID-19, with Dr. Yvonne Ferrer of DLSU Department of Pharmacology; and on Stress Management for employees to deal with the effects of the pandemic, work-from-home set-up, and preparing them for the new normal.

“It is our goal to maintain a healthy balance to support our employees, the community, and the business. The company is committed to remaining responsible in delivering our obligations in service to the Filipino people,” Ong added. “Let us make it a social responsibility to look after ourselves, customers, families, friends, organization, community, and the environment, all pulling together to move forward.”