PORAC, Pampanga – Mekeni Food Corp. (MFC) recognized its employees’ children who have achieved academic excellence in their respective schools through the company’s annual Galing ng Batang Mekeni Awards.
Established in 2008 to help MFC employees with their children’s education, Galing ng Batang Mekeni evolved into a program inspiring the students to excel in school to make their parents and community proud.
MFC president Pruds Garcia shared that this program is close to the heart of the family as it highlights the desire of the company to extend support to the family members of their employees.
He noted that the program is in appreciation of the sacrifices of the parents in providing the best future for their children through education.
This year, Galing ng Batang Mekeni awarded 185 students with two magna cum laudes, namely, Kathreena Louise O. Uy and Mikhaella A. Santos.
Uy, daughter of Marilou Uy, AVP for HR/Exports, graduated from the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) with a degree in Business Administration with a major in Human Resource Management.
The program was on its second year when she earned her first award in Grade 1. At the awarding rites, Uy recalled how she would strive and study hard in order to get academic awards and be included in Mekeni’s recognition program for school achievers. She exhorted her co-awardees to never give up whenever confronted with challenges.
On the other hand, Santos, the daughter of Ethelyn Santos, company dentist, graduated from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) with a degree in Life and Science. She was in 5th Grade when she received her first recognition as a Galing ng Batang Mekeni awardee. Since then, she has consistently been recognized with the award.
This year’s guest in the recognition is Jewel Mercado, head of Synergies Agribubble Inc. and Anima Exchange Ltd. She said that Mekeni stands for motivation, excellence, kindness, empowerment, nurture and integrity. She commended Mekeni for supporting programs similar to this which uplifts the quality of life of Filipino families.
Over the years, Mekeni has supported various educational programs and activities within and beyond their hometown of Porac. The strong belief in and value of education have been rooted in their founder’s mission. Mekeni’s patriarch, Felix Garcia, and matriarch, the late Meding Garcia, were both public school teachers who have spent their lives educating young minds in Balubad, Porac before starting Mekeni.
“Ever since we were young, our parents have always instilled the importance of education and hard work in me and my four brothers. We have always kept in mind their sacrifices as we were growing up and made sure that all of their hard work would not go in vain. This is the value that we want to show our employees, and hopefully they can also impart that value to their children,” said Pruds Garcia. With the continuation of the Galing ng Batang Mekeni program, Mekeni hopes to help more employees and inspire more students to consistently persevere and work harder towards the realization of their dreams for a better future. Press release/Contributed photos
