Gardenia Philippines receives Circle of Excellence Awards at Asia CEO Awards 2023
Gardenia Bakeries (Philippines), Inc. was named as a Circle of Excellence Awardee at the 14th Asia CEO Awards held recently at the Manila Marriott Hotel. The leading bread manufacturer in the country was given twice the honor, receiving the esteemed recognition in two categories: Top Employer of the Year and CSR Company of the Year.
From over 600 nominations, with 40-60 submissions per category, the Asia CEO Awards Board of Judges, which is composed of prominent leaders in the business community from the private and public sectors, selected the most notable organizations with remarkable contributions “to the nation’s development and opportunities for Filipinos.”
Top Employer of the Year Award
The Top Employer of the Year Award is given to Philippine-based organizations that “achieved important employer success while overseeing a business enterprise either within Philippines or outside of it.” It recognizes the company’s achievements in human resources development, specifically in implementing training programs, fulfilling workplace enhancements, and promoting work-life balance to improve the professional and personal lives of the employees.
This Circle of Excellence Award attests to Gardenia Philippines’ commitment to best HR practices benefitting the employees, who have played a major role in turning the Gardenia brand into the bread industry market leader that it is today. Since the company began its operations in 1998, Gardenia Philippines continues to prioritize the development of its employees through the company’s health and wellness programs, annual training plan, and other benefits for the employees’ family members.
CSR Company of the Year Award
The CSR Company of the Year Award, meanwhile, honors corporate and non-corporate organizations whose social commitment to the Filipino people contribute to “promoting environmental protection & awareness, livelihood programs and youth development.” It recognizes corporate social responsibility programs with long-lasting benefits for the community, through activities that encourage the participation of the employees and customers, leaving an inspiring and positive social impact to its stakeholders.
This Circle of Excellence Award recognizes Gardenia Philippines’ passion for serving Filipino communities beyond baking through initiatives that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially in consumer health and well-being, and in energy and waste management.
With the company’s CSR initiatives, Gardenia aims to impact the lives of local communities by enriching lives through regular bread donations and outreach activities; by promoting healthy lifestyles through the Gardenia Plant Tour and Wellness programs; and by going green in its bakery plant operations, and involving the consumers and employees in its sustainability projects, such as the company’s Plastic Collection Drive, where empty Gardenia plastic packaging are converted into school chairs and then donated to schools in need.