One of the many signs of a healthy workplace is the level at which employees feel valued and engaged. Throughout its 35-year history Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) has become a venue for character development, personal growth, and community volunteerism.

Guided by the company’s core values known as ICARE—Integrity and Innovation, Care and Respect, and Excellence and Empowerment—PCPPI fosters an environment where individuals, whom it calls Bravehearts, can thrive professionally and personally.

Two such stories of growth belong to Ailyn Caudilla and Armando Mandigma, whose experiences at PCPPI illustrate how the company’s values empower its people.

Aileen Caudilla never anticipated a lengthy career with PCPPI. She started at the Naga office, where she not only experienced professional growth as a member of the Human Resources (HR) team, but also encountered opportunities for personal development.

Dealing with different personalities allows her to develop her communication and organization skills. She sought advice from senior employees in her team to deepen her understanding about PCPPI’s culture in line with her role. Today, she maintains the same humility and willingness to listen.

In PCPPI, she developed a keen eye for details as her work involved a wide range of responsibilities, from managing direct reports and payroll concerns. “It has been challenging experience but I have learned so much,” she shared, looking back.

Aside from ensuring that employee-company relations flow smoothly, Ailyn is also the president of her office’s Bukluran Council. The Bukluran Council is composed of PCPPI employees who lead and facilitate engagement initiatives within their area.

Using skills gleaned from her role as an HR Assistant, she connects representatives from PCPPI’s different departments to plan a year’s worth of socio-civic activities in line with the organization’s values. This includes working with partner-schools during the annual Brigada Eskwela program of the Department of Education.

“When I started in the company, my confidence was low,” Ailyn recalled, “but as I’ve learned to balance my daily tasks with the Bukluran Council, I’ve seen how I’ve grown professionally and personally.”

All in a day’s work

Armando Mandigma is a true blue Batangueño—gregarious, warm, and friendly. He’s the Environmental, Health, Security, and Safety (EHSS) manager in PCPPI’s largest production facility in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

A seasoned professional, Armando is actively involved in community initiatives, from river clean-ups to employee physical fitness activities. His years of experience have allowed him to balance his responsibilities in managing daily operations and monitoring compliance to safety and security standards.

One can tell his profession is a vocation, as he clearly views his colleagues as part of a larger community. Armando’s role sees him looking after the safety of both employees and plant visitors, as he and his team ensure the risk of accidents are mitigated within facility grounds.

Armando reveals this is a challenge for his team given the high foot and equipment traffic at the Sto. Tomas facility. “We have to conduct refresher training sessions for all our people, and even third-party partners who frequent the plant. Engagement is key, because workplace safety and security do not solely rest on one person or one team’s shoulders.”