Timeless Loyalty, Lasting Legacy: URC Holds the 2024 Head Office Service Awards

In a company that aspires to produce impactful change makers and innovation starters, the greatest asset is its people. We, at URC, take pride in our people-centered culture that empowers our employees to excel in their business functions, seek growth opportunities, and become manifestations of the values we uphold. Such is reflected in our employees who have soldiered through the many challenges the company has faced and turned them into remarkable milestones that go down in history. What better way to recognize these colleagues than in a celebration of loyalty and legacy at the 2024 Head Office Service Awards held last August 16.

The morning program began with welcoming remarks from our President and CEO, Mr. Irwin C. Lee, who applauded the collective display of commitment in the room. Set apart from the previous ceremonies held, this year’s celebration recognized awardees who have stayed committed to URC for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 admirable years. We started off with the 10-year mark and invited our leaders to join us in recognizing employees who reached a decade in service of the company namely, Jenelyn J. Feliciano (DURBI, BCFG PH Beverages), George Michael U. Susano (Finance, URC Main), Sweet Love E. Galve (Finance, URC Main), Mark S. Gatdula (Finance, URC Main), Michelle Kaye A. Partidas (IT, URC Main), Garry A. Ganaba (Global Procurement, URC Main), Rachel Anne M. Coralde (Corporate Quality and EHS, URC Main), Christian Earl R. Repalam (Global Innovations, URC Main), Moreno Q. Refil Jr. (Corporate Engineering, URC Main), Charmaine Ivy G. Tan (Brand Management, BCFG PH Snackfoods), Raymund D. Ballesteros (ISC Platforms, BCFG PH Snackfoods), Rafael L. Talenjale (ISC Platforms, BCFG PH Snackfoods), Gene Paul C. Legion (General Trade, BCFG PH Sales), Lara Joy T. San Antonio (Trade Marketing Group, BCFG PH Sales), Giorgio Byron R. Diosay (National Key Accounts Group, BCFG PH Sales), Michael Dan T. Oxina (General Trade, BCFG PH Sales), and Ayna Lynn D. Sioson (Sales Operations and Capability Group, BCFG PH Sales).

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Following the 10-year mark, we opened center stage for our colleagues who have spent 15 fruitful years contributing to the successes we have garnered as a company. The awardees honored for 15 ?years of unwavering service were Laarni C. Asi (Finance, URC Main), Wilvard M.Malabanan (Finance, URC Main), Mark Arthur D. Dela Cruz (Finance, URC Main), Femarey B. Martinez (Global Innovations, URC Main), Sheila May A. Montano (Global Marketing – CMI, URC Main), Nerissa E. Tomaodos (Global Procurement, URC Main), Georgia T. Carriaga (NURC, BCFG PH Snackfoods), Paul Alexis A. Borgonia (ISC Platforms, BCFG PH Snackfoods), Eleanor O. Gallenero (NURC, BCFG PH Snackfoods), George R. Abad II (General Trade, BCFG PH Sales), and Angelie Grace B. Mikesell (National Key Accounts Group, BCFG PH Sales).

While the concept of time may be relative, 2 decades seem like a very long time to explore, expand, and experience career milestones that transcend the workplace. We are certain that our 20-year awardees have become role models for this ability to transform the company and the bigger society it aims to serve. The employees who are lauded for 20 years of representing the URC purpose, values, and ambitions are Aldrin B. Apuada (Integrated Supply Chain, BCFG PH Beverages), Jacob G. Pajarito (Trade Marketing Group, BCFG PH Beverages), Maribel C. Zamora (ISC Planning, BCFG PH Beverages), Alma P. Vidanes (Finance, URC Main), Jimmy Jose M. Galulan (Finance, URC Main), Vicente A. Argentera (Finance, BCFG PH), Josefa May M. Reyes (Integrated Supply Chain, URC Main), Lorelie L. Marquez (Global Innovations, URC Main), Celedonio G. Masa (Corporate Engineering, URC Main), Rebecca E. Yap (Global Procurement, URC Main), Joan D. Mascarenas (ISC Platforms, BCFG PH Snackfoods), Joel P. Garcia (ISC Platforms, BCFG PH Snackfoods), Nino R. Roque (Sales Operations and Capability Group, BCFG PH Sales), Ryan B. Retuya (General Trade, BCFG PH Sales), Maricel P. Sassone (National Key Accounts Group, BCFG PH Sales), and Jerick R. Cunanan (National Key Accounts Group, BCFG PH Sales).

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To stay loyal to a company for 25 years means committing to the same set of advocacies, cultures, and standards it upholds. It represents an agreement to live by these same building blocks that define one’s individuality. Still joined by our leadership team, we honored our employees who bravely committed themselves to sharing in the URC mission for 25 impressive years: Felicidad C. Bornay (Global Innovations, URC Main), Ingrid D. Baustista (Global Innovations, URC Main), and Maria Viveca Racquel R. Singson (Global Marketing – CAPR, URC Main).

A common sentiment among the awardees is that an employee chooses to stay loyal when the company succeeds in ensuring they would constantly and consistently grow together. Our employees with 3 decades in service of the company are living proof of URC’s oath to provide avenues for growth that keep our senses sharp, our knowledge intact, and our skills evolving. Our reputable awardees who have grown with the company for over 30 years are Lucita L. Gaton (Marketing – Beverages, URC Main), Marites T. Directo (Global Innovations, URC Main), Vicente L. Alviz (General Trade, BCFG PH Sales), Bernardo A. Argel Jr. (General Trade, BCFG PH Sales), and Rowell E. Estrella (General Trade, URC Main).

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Last but certainly not the least, this year’s celebration was privileged to be joined by an employee who epitomizes true service. The awardees were on their feet to applaud Ma. Veronica L. Blancaflor (Corporate Quality & EHS, URC Main) for 35 exceptional years with URC. With pride and honor beaming from all our leaders who joined the esteemed awardee onstage, we ended the with a great testament to who and what we aim to become as we go through our own URC journeys.

Before concluding the program, our Chief Human Resource Officer and Agile Transformation Lead Ms. Elisa O. Abalajon gave her closing remarks, expressing how inspiring it was to be surrounded by colleagues who prove that the company has always put its people first. In the same inspiring spirit, some of our awardees took the stage to share their stories of strife and success throughout 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years in service. Some awardees looked back at the different roles and functions they assumed, sharing how their dynamic and multi-faceted experiences led them to grow a deeper appreciation for the organization. Some spoke about their most memorable and career-defining highlights that bring them a sense of accomplishment to this day. Some also touched on the lasting impact that URC contributed to their personal lives in terms of self-esteem, familial stability, and future security. The key statement among all testimonials, however, was a statement of gratitude for their respective superiors, mentors, and leaders. The awardees ensured that they would share this huge milestone with the leaders who believed in their capabilities and empowered them to discover their true potential.

We also recognize our colleagues from Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) who recently held their own service awards last August 2 at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City. With a showstopping total of 409 individuals honored in the ceremony, let us congratulate the awardees from BCFG PH Procurement, Import and Export, Logistics, and the Office of the Vice President, ISC. Esteemed awardees from the different plants were also honored namely, Malvar, Bagong Ilog, Bagumbayan, NURC Tarlac, Pampanga 1, Pampanga 2, Bi?an, Calamba 2, Canlubang 1, San Pedro 1, San Pedro 2, Calamba 1, Canlubang 2, Cavite, NURC Cavite, San Pablo, Cebu 1, Cebu 2, and ESMO. We are truly in awe with the number of years included in the lineup, which ranged from 10 years to an outstanding 43 years in service.

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Once again, we congratulate all our awardees for this achievement that sets the bar higher for the rest of us. We also thank our leadership team for their uplifting support throughout the ceremony and the day-to-day lives of our employees. May this celebration serve as an affirmation of URC’s commitment to propelling its employees toward greater heights beyond the job. Mabuhay ang ating mga Ka-URC!