Shaping future agri leaders. Aboitiz Foods, through Pilmico Animal Nutrition, together with Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. and the Pampanga State Agricultural University, awarded scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students under the Aboitiz Future Leaders Scholarship Program. / Photo Courtesy: Pampanga State Agricultural University Facebook page
Education and collaboration play a vital role in strengthening the future of agriculture. Guided by its brand promise, Together, We Nourish the Future, Aboitiz Foods continues to invest in education and capability-building through forging multi-stakeholder partnerships in areas where it operates.
In Central Luzon, Aboitiz Foods, through Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation (Pilmico), recently launched two initiatives: awarding scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students from Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) and partnering with the Department of Agriculture (DA) on a digital agri-learning program that equips farmers and agripreneurs with practical knowledge and tools.
Investing in future agri champions
In Magalang, Pampanga, 12 undergraduate students of PSAU were awarded scholarships under the Aboitiz Future Leaders Scholarship Program – a collaboration among Aboitiz Foods, Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI), and PSAU.
The scholars for Academic Year 2025-2026, taking up Bachelor of Science (BS) in Agriculture, Major in Animal Science, and BS Forestry, will be provided with full tuition coverage, financial assistance, internship opportunities, and industry exposure.
During the awarding ceremony last February 23, 2026, Aboitiz Foods’ Assistant Vice President for People Experience-Business Partner Christopher John De Villa highlighted the importance of grit, passion, and commitment to reliability and kindness in his message to the scholars.
“This scholarship is an opportunity to learn, to shape your future, and to have a seat at the table,” he said, adding, “We are excited to see the amazing things you will accomplish as the next generation of innovators and the future of Philippine agriculture and forestry.”
For 26 years, the Aboitiz Future Leaders Scholarship Program has supported young individuals with strong academic performance and leadership potential by providing full tuition support, allowances, leadership development, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
“The Aboitiz Future Leaders Scholarship Program is not about assistance. It’s about transformation,” said AFI Impact Lead for Education Jowelle Ann Cruz, adding, “Investing in young people’s education means shaping leaders, who will influence their community, their field, and eventually the country.”
For scholar Chelsea Sanchez, the program represents opportunity and responsibility. “This is my way of giving back to the hands that feed us. As an Aboitiz Future Leader Program Scholar, I want to contribute and help out our fellow farmers toward food security and sustainable production.”
The scholarship program builds on Aboitiz Foods’ earlier collaboration with PSAU to support future agricultural professionals—reinforcing long-term academe-industry partnerships that help develop future talent.
Empowering farmers through Gen XP
Complementing its investment in Education, Aboitiz Foods, through Pilmico, also formalized a Memorandum of Agreement with DA Regional Field Office (RFO) 3 for the Gen XP TV Series – a youth-led digital agri-learning initiative designed to make agriculture more relatable, innovative, and accessible.
Held at the Pilmico Tarlac Plant on February 18, the signing marked a strategic alliance to develop educational content promoting sustainable, competitive, and resilient livestock and agribusiness practices for farmers across Region III.
“This partnership is an important milestone in our shared commitment to enhancing agricultural practices, encouraging others to do the same, and promoting food security,” said Norie Bermudez, Aboitiz Foods’ First Vice President and Country Director for Agribusiness PH, adding, “Let us embrace this opportunity to inspire future generations of farmers.”
Gen XP TV aims to bridge traditional farming with modern innovation by covering technical and sustainability topics, including circular economy practices. The initiative primarily benefits local farmers, livestock raisers, and agripreneurs by equipping them with practical knowledge to improve productivity and profitability.
Gil G. David, Agricultural Center Chief II and Regional Livestock Program Coordinator of DA RFO3, underscored the importance of private sector collaboration. “Through this partnership with Pilmico, we can sustain and improve the income of our farmers and fisherfolk.”
From empowering scholars in the classroom to educating farmers in the field, these initiatives demonstrate how Aboitiz Foods puts responsibility into action—creating lasting value for the communities where it operates.
Through stronger academe-industry linkages and public-private partnerships, Aboitiz Foods and its partners help build a more resilient food and agribusiness landscape, advancing its purpose of sustainably feeding Asia’s growth from mill to meal.
FAQs:
- What is the Aboitiz Future Leaders Program?
The program is a flagship initiative of the Aboitiz Foundation that has provided full tuition support, monthly allowances, leadership development, and professional growth opportunities to talented students for 26 years.
- Who are the scholars of the Aboitiz Future Leaders Program in Pampanga?
The program recently awarded scholarships to 12 undergraduate students from PSAU who are pursuing degrees in Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Major in Animal Science) and Bachelor of Science in Forestry for the 2025-2026 academic year. They will be provided with full tuition coverage, financial assistance, internship opportunities, and industry exposure.
- What is Pilmico’s partnership with the Department of Agriculture Region 3 all about?
Pilmico sealed a partnership with DA Region 3 for the Gen XP TV series – a youth-led digital agri-learning initiative that provides accessible content on sustainable, competitive, and resilient livestock and agribusiness practices to help local farmers and agripreneurs improve their productivity and income.
- What are the objectives of Aboitiz Foods’ recent initiatives in Central Luzon?
Implemented through Pilmico, Aboitiz Foods’ initiatives in Central Luzon aim to support the food and agribusiness sector by investing in agricultural education, reinforcing public-private-academe partnerships, and advancing the company’s purpose of sustainably feeding Asia’s growth from mill to meal.
