Aboitiz Foods’ culture of innovation is rooted in the core value of being “Always Better.” This mindset drives continuous improvement and prompts the question, “What else can we do to improve?” The answer often lies in improving processes, finding alternative solutions, or making better use of existing resources.
The Project SILICA team, which placed 3rd at The Mill, discovered new potential in converting rice husk ash into silica. With only two days left before the deadline, Rolando “Bon” Magdadaro Jr., Quality Assurance Manager, Kent Andrew Tuble, Assurance Analyst, and Mery Jane Bandolon, Nutrition Specialist, were in the laboratory at the Pilmico Iligan Plant reviewing the current list of raw materials and ingredients being used. They identified rice husk ash—a byproduct often treated as waste—as a valuable resource due to its silica content, embodying the principle of turning waste into value. They then collaborated with chemical engineers Evannie Mendoza, Quality Assurance Supervisor, and Anna Mae Origenes, Nutrition Supervisor, to validate the concept.
The Mill is Aboitiz Foods’ product innovation competition, where team members from across countries submitted their innovative entries. Short for The MILL-ion Dollar Idea, The Mill was launched in 2024 as an ideation challenge designed to spark curiosity and creativity among team members and leaders. The goal was simple: to provide our team members with a space to ideate and explore forward-thinking concepts for new or enhanced products and services.
What began as a last-minute submission became one of The Mill’s top entries, proving that bold decisions can lead to success. “I’m very excited that out of over 100 ideas submitted from six countries, we made it to the top three. We’re thankful for the opportunity and the platform – it was a new experience that provided us with valuable learnings. It was an honor to represent the Iligan facility, so it really motivates us to innovate,” Bon Magdadaro shared.
During The Mill’s Breakthrough Day, or final presentation, on November 13, 2025, the team presented their entry, titled “Project SILICA: Valorization of Rice Husk Ash into Desiccant Technology for Sustainable Feed Preservation,” which was awarded third place. They highlighted the benefits of converting rice husk ash into silica dessicants, which could potentially address moisture in animal feeds, especially during transportation, reduce waste and carbon emissions, and generate a new income stream for the organization.
Kent Tuble described his initial nervousness while presenting to the panel of judges. “However, I realized their interest in the project turned into a dialogue or a friendly exchange of ideas, where they offered insights on how it could be more beneficial to the company,” he noted.
During the two-week preparation before Breakthrough Day, the Aboitiz value of teamwork became their guiding principle, not just within their team but also across the various departments in Iligan. They cited tapping the expertise of Finance and Accounting teams to secure supporting data. “The biggest lesson I have learned is the power of teamwork and determination,” Mery Jane Bandolon stated. “ What started as an idea formed within the four corners of the office gradually turned into something bigger through collaboration, persistence, and shared effort. Because of this, we were able to reach the Top 3 at The Mill, an achievement that showed how collective commitment can turn simple ideas into meaningful results,” she added.
The Mill has transformed from an internal innovation competition into a movement that inspired both team members and leaders to showcase how they continually seek ways to improve the company’s products and services, ultimately enhancing their customers’ experience. The Project SILICA team even shared that preparations for The Mill 2026 had begun the moment they came home. “We are aiming for the top spot next year, hopefully,” Magdadaro said with a laugh. “As a leader, I must encourage our team members to look for ways to improve our systems and processes continuously. As early as now, we are preparing to generate ideas and categorize them into three categories: Kaizen, Quality Circle, and Product Innovation for The Mill. Ultimately, these ideas are not simply for compliance; they are meant to enhance our processes,” he added.
At Aboitiz Foods, innovation is an integral part of the culture and the business. In the team of Bon, Kent, and Mery Jane, an innovative idea emerged from simple observations of existing challenges. They focused on finding solutions to improve waste management and approached the issue with creativity. This mindset is what drives Aboitiz Foods forward, enabling the way to sustainably feed Asia’s growth from mill to meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What core value drove the team’s innovation mindset?
The team was guided by Aboitiz Foods’ core value of being “Always Better.” This mindset encourages continuous improvement and a constant search for ways to enhance existing processes and resources. For the Project SILICA team, it meant looking beyond conventional uses of a waste byproduct and seeing untapped potential – transforming a simple observation into a competition-winning idea.
What is Project SILICA, and why does it matter?
Project SILICA, officially titled “Project SILICA: Valorization of Rice Husk Ash into Desiccant Technology for Sustainable Feed Preservation,” is an innovation that converts rice husk ash – a byproduct typically discarded as waste – into silica desiccants. The project addresses moisture management in animal feeds during transportation, reduces waste and carbon emissions, and opens a potential new income stream. It placed 3rd at The Mill, Aboitiz Foods’ product innovation competition.
Who were the people behind Project SILICA?
The core team consisted of Rolando “Bon” Magdadaro Jr. (Quality Assurance Manager), Kent Andrew Tuble (Assurance Analyst), and Mery Jane Bandolon (Nutrition Specialist) from the Pilmico Iligan Plant. They identified the opportunity during a routine review of raw materials and collaborated with chemical engineers Evannie Mendoza and Anna Mae Origenes to validate the concept before submitting to The Mill.
How did the team prepare for The Mill’s Breakthrough Day?
With only two weeks before the final presentation on November 13, 2025, in Singapore, the team leaned heavily on cross-departmental collaboration – tapping the Finance and Accounting teams for supporting data. The Aboitiz value of teamwork guided their preparation. Their initial nervousness gave way to a productive dialogue with the panel of judges, who offered insights on how the project could further benefit the company.
What was the impact of The Mill competition on the team and their plant?
Placing in the Top 3 out of over 100 entries from six countries inspired team members at the Pilmico Iligan Plant to start generating new ideas for future innovation. The team has already begun preparing for The Mill 2026, categorizing potential ideas across Kaizen, Quality Circle, and Product Innovation tracks. Their win reinforced that small, observation-driven ideas – when pursued with determination – can produce meaningful results.
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