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. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1: What is this article about?
This article covers two education-focused initiatives launched in Central Luzon through Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation. The first is the awarding of scholarships to 12 undergraduate students at Pampanga State Agricultural University under the Aboitiz Future Leaders Scholarship Program. The second is a formalized partnership with the Department of Agriculture Region 3 for the Gen XP TV Series, a youth-led digital agri-learning initiative for farmers and agripreneurs.

2: What does the Aboitiz Future Leaders Scholarship Program offer its scholars?
The program provides full tuition coverage, monthly financial assistance, leadership development training, internship opportunities, and industry exposure to undergraduate students with strong academic performance and leadership potential. The 12 scholars at PSAU for Academic Year 2025-2026 are pursuing degrees in BS Agriculture (Major in Animal Science) and BS Forestry. For 26 years, the program has supported young individuals committed to contributing to the Philippine agricultural sector.

3: What is the Gen XP TV Series and how does it empower farmers?
Gen XP TV is a youth-led digital agri-learning initiative that makes agriculture more accessible, relatable, and innovative for farmers, livestock raisers, and agripreneurs in Central Luzon. Co-developed with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 3 through a formal Memorandum of Agreement, the series covers sustainable livestock practices, competitive agribusiness strategies, and circular economy topics — equipping farmers with practical knowledge to improve both productivity and income.

4: Why are public-private-academe partnerships critical for strengthening Philippine agriculture?
No single organization possesses all the resources, reach, and expertise needed to address the full scope of agricultural challenges. Academic institutions provide knowledge and talent pipelines; government agencies bring regulatory authority and grassroots access to farmers; and private sector partners contribute technical expertise, industry networks, and financial resources. When these three sectors align around shared goals — as demonstrated in Central Luzon — the result is more durable, community-rooted impact than any one sector could achieve alone.

5: How do these initiatives connect to a broader vision for sustainable food systems?
Investing in students who will become the next generation of agricultural professionals creates a long-term talent pipeline for the food and agribusiness sector. Simultaneously, equipping active farmers with practical digital learning ensures that existing practitioners continuously improve. Together, these two tracks — developing new talent and upgrading current capacity — build the human foundation for a more resilient, innovative, and food-secure agricultural landscape across the Philippines and beyond.