Innovation is more than just a buzzword at Aboitiz Foods — it’s a value that continues to drive the organization forward and inspire its team members to find better ways of working every day. The culture of innovation was on full display as team members from Pilmico’s Iligan site earned six gold medals at the 2025 Productivity Improvement Circles National Convention (PICNC), held from October 1–3, 2025, in Baguio City.
Organized by the Quality and Productivity Association of the Philippines (QPAP) and hosted by the Luzon Society for Quality and Productivity (LSQP), this year’s national convention gathered 30 teams from 13 companies nationwide under the theme, “Continuing Implementation of Quality Circle Activity, Moving Toward a Brighter Future of the World.” Participants presented projects showcasing their innovative approaches to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
What began simply as Quality Circle (QC) and Kaizen projects within the Iligan site has now become award-winning initiatives recognized at the national stage. These projects were created to streamline processes and enhance efficiency in daily operations. Today, these efforts have not only optimized workflows but also demonstrated how innovation, when adopted at all levels, can create significant impact across the business and communities.
One of the winning entries came from TEAM Inno-SAP led by Kent Cabucos, Supply Chain Process Optimization Specialist, whose project focused on improving Truck Turnaround Time (TAT). “The project started during my first few months as I familiarized myself with our operations, and I studied our Truck Turnaround Time (TAT). That’s when I discovered several opportunities for improvement that could be developed into a project, particularly in the Flour outbound process,” he said.
Since then, the project has won multiple awards both internally and externally through QPAP’s conventions.“We competed internally during our annual QCWeek and won the Most Outstanding Project award at the Pilmico Iligan facility, and then we won Gold for the Regional and National rounds for Quality Circles. I’m truly grateful to Aboitiz Foods for giving us the platform to showcase our study. It serves as a reminder that small ideas, when driven by passion, teamwork, and purpose, can create a lasting impact,” Cabucos added.
Rooted in collaboration and continuous improvement, a Quality Circle brings together groups of employees who identify challenges and design solutions, while Kaizen, a Japanese philosophy of gradual and continuous improvement, focuses on making small, consistent changes that lead to lasting transformation. Together, these approaches exemplify how innovation thrives at Aboitiz Foods; when team members are empowered to take ownership of progress and drive change from within.
Building on their strong performance at the 43rd Regional Quality Circles Convention, where they also won multiple gold awards for their innovative initiatives, the Iligan teams continue to exemplify the Aboitiz value of Innovation, always striving to do better, together.
🏆Aboitiz Foods Teams and their Gold Award-Winning Projects
Various teams from Pilmico presented case projects that streamlined processes across financial systems, logistics, quality preservation, and even corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Team Farina Catalyx:
Ferry Bicoy, Juvy Afable, Kristine Benitez, and Rudolfu Orong from the Flour Quality Assurance team
Team Post Goods Thinker:
Ferry Bicoy, Juvy Afable, Kristine Benitez, and Rudolfu Orong from the Flour Quality Assurance team
Team Floogals:
Lloyd Dy, Knacky Hermodo, Cynie Cantero, Leonilo Villadoz, Anna Pobadora, Gregory Canoy, Dennica Dormitorio, Christa Alcano, Jergen Dedumo
Team Mindbenders:
Adviser: Rolando Magdadaro, Jr.
Facilitator: Evannie Grace Mendoza
Leader: Daryll Apus
Members: Sam Apao, Ryan Arnaiz, Rhoda Bargio, Alcon Calib-og, Ruthen Floren, Andrew Paquera Sabellina, Miguel Tingcang, Kent Tuble, Angelie Villafranca, Kate Villalobo
Team Enerwrench:
Edgar Rapliza, Andre Barlisan, Leandro Soriano, Jeno Penaso, Jovan Guianan, Mark Pacaldo, Dominador Ebao Jr., Ramil Putalan, William De La Cerna Jr.
Team Inno-SAP:
Project Sponsor: Cynthia Rena
Functional Expert: Winny Lim
Project Lead: Kent Cabucos
Project Owner: Anthony Ponla
Subject Matter Expert: Lyssa Gallardo Members: Donnalee Bacus, Ruselle Tomaquin, Hanna Talingting, Trisha Baje, Juvy Tumapo, Carol Atillo, Erson Magsanay, Demi Perfecto,
These achievements underscore Aboitiz Foods’ commitment to the Aboitiz Group’s vision of becoming the Philippines’ first Techglomerate– a future-ready organization powered by innovation, digital transformation, and operational excellence. By embodying the A+ 10 Behaviors of being innovative, simple, and fast, Aboitiz Foods team members continue to transform everyday challenges into opportunities for growth and improvement.
The success of the Aboitiz Foods team from Iligan continues to serve as a testament to what can be achieved when team members are empowered to act with purpose and drive meaningful change from within.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this article about and what is the key achievement?
This article covers Aboitiz Foods’ recognition at the 2025 Productivity Improvement Circles National Convention (PICNC), where teams from Pilmico’s Iligan site earned six gold awards. The win highlights the company’s culture of innovation and continuous improvement, demonstrating how employee-driven Quality Circle and Kaizen projects have evolved from internal initiatives into nationally recognized achievements.
What is the PICNC and who organizes it?
The Productivity Improvement Circles National Convention (PICNC) is an annual national competition organized by the Quality and Productivity Association of the Philippines (QPAP) and hosted by the Luzon Society for Quality and Productivity (LSQP). The 42nd edition was held from October 1 to 3, 2025, in Baguio City, gathering 30 teams from 13 companies nationwide.
What types of projects did the winning Aboitiz Foods teams present?
The six gold award-winning teams from Pilmico’s Iligan site presented projects spanning financial systems, logistics, quality preservation, and corporate social responsibility. One standout entry from Team Inno-SAP focused on improving Truck Turnaround Time in the flour outbound process — an initiative that began with identifying operational inefficiencies and grew into a multi-award-winning study.
What are Quality Circles and Kaizen, and why do they matter at Aboitiz Foods?
A Quality Circle is a group of employees who collaboratively identify challenges and design solutions, while Kaizen is a Japanese philosophy of gradual, continuous improvement through small, consistent changes. Together, these approaches empower team members to take ownership of progress and drive meaningful change from within — reflecting the Aboitiz value of Innovation.
What does this achievement say about Aboitiz Foods’ organizational culture?
The six gold awards underscore a culture where innovation is not just a stated value but a lived practice. By providing team members with platforms to develop and present improvement projects, Aboitiz Foods demonstrates its commitment to building a future-ready organization — one where everyday ideas, driven by purpose and teamwork, can create lasting impact at national scale.
