Mekeni: A business built on people

At the heart of Mekeni Food Corporation’s success lies not just its world-class products, but the people who make them. From its humble beginnings in a small backyard in Porac, Pampanga, to becoming one of the largest and most trusted food companies in the Philippines, Mekeni’s story is one of perseverance, compassion, and community.

President Prudencio “Pruds” Garcia captures this spirit best when he says, “Mekeni is more than just a business — it’s a family, a community, and a purpose.”

Strengthening Connections with the Media

President Prudencio “Pruds” Garcia recently led the Meet and Greet with South Luzon Media Partners held at the company’s facility in Balubad, Porac, Pampanga.

The event was attended by Mekeni’s top executives: VP for Supply Chain Adrino Garcia, VP for Finance, HR & Admin Angelito Garcia, VP for Manufacturing Diosdado Garcia, AVP for Finance & Supply Chain Management Maryzon Cruz, AVP for Manufacturing Mary Hope Ulibarri, AVP for HR & Exports Marilou Uy, AVP for Marketing Katlene Gomez-Schultz, Head of Sales Jan Paulo Orfinada, Executive Assistant to the President and CCMS Manager Liegh Ann Castillo, and Public Relations & Corporate Communications Manager Christian Mañalac, along with other members of the Mekeni team.

During the event, the executives shared Mekeni’s journey of resilience, its commitment to quality, and its continuing efforts to uplift the lives of its employees and communities. Members of both local and national media from various parts of South Luzon were also given an inside look at Mekeni’s operations and community-driven initiatives.

A Legacy of Excellence and Compassion

Today, Mekeni stands proudly as the first meat processing plant in Asia to receive ISO 22000:2005 certification, a testament to its unwavering commitment to global food safety standards and excellence. The company has also earned the NMIS Grand Slam Award for Best Meat Processing Plant (2017) and now exports proudly Filipino-made products to 23 countries around the world.

Yet, for all its milestones, Mekeni’s true success is not measured in awards or exports but in lives changed. Every employee, partner, and consumer represents a story — of hard work, hope, and resilience. From the factory worker who juggled studies and labor to graduate cum laude, to families who have found stability and pride in their work, Mekeni’s legacy is built on people helping people rise together.

Resilience Through Challenges

Even in times of crisis — from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo to the African Swine Fever outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic — Mekeni has remained steadfast, grounded in its belief that business must always serve humanity. Its leaders and employees continue to embody the company’s founding values of malasakit, integrity, and unity.

Stories Behind Every Flavor

President Garcia extended his heartfelt gratitude to every employee whose dedication fuels Mekeni’s growth and to the media who continue to share its story beyond Pampanga’s borders.

“With your help,” Garcia said, “we can share to the world the stories behind every flavor — the Kwento sa Bawat Timpla of Mekeni.”

Because at the end of the day, Mekeni’s business is people — and people will always be the finest ingredient of its success.