Prudencio Garcia

It’s a Mekeni Life How many multi-million corporations can proudly say that they started out from selling ice candy and eggs in the wet market? Only a few, perhaps, and one is in the province of Pampanga where a family with very humble beginnings was able to set up a company that is now known for its world-class products that are not only reasonably priced but is also guaranteed to give total customer satisfaction. From an enterprise that aims to improve the Garcia family’s income, Mekeni Food Corporation, a company involved in processed meat, grew as huge as providing ample means of livelihood not only to their Cabalens but to the people of neighboring cities and provinces as well. Its turning point, however, came when the Pinatubo erupted in 1991. During that time, three of the five Garcia brothers were already leading comfortable lives abroad. But when their father, Felix, sent them a letter pleading them to go back to salvage their business and to also help their kababayans see a flicker of hope after the calamity, the five brothers joined hands and pushed their vision of helping Pampangga rise above the ashes of lahar. Initially hiring 30 people to bring the company back to operation, Mekeni ballooned to about 800 employees today. Its distribution network has also widened making it reach not just Central Luzon but as well as different parts of the country and the overseas market. Hoping to have their products become synonymous to food quality vis-à-vis ensuring its safety, Mekeni would persistently study and research on how else they can better improve their products. In fact, Mekeni takes great pride in owning the first meat processing plant in Asia to get the ISO 22000 Certification. Its performance as an outsanding meat establishment is also attested by the National Meat Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture, hailing it as the Best meat Processing Plant for three consecutive years. By all means, the company has already become world-class, making it a source of pride not only in Pampangga but for the entire nation as well. As in most success stories, they too have invested a huge amount of hardwork, discipline, determination and adherence to strong family values. Because of these, the Garcia family, represented by Mekeni’s President Prudencio Garcia, will be honored by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III as among Pampanga’s Inspiring Entrepreneurs, an award given by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship as part of the Go Negosyo sa Pampanga slated on October 8, 2007 at the Bren Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando. Go Negosyo sa Pampanga is part of PCE's latest campaign, the Go Negosyo Caravan, which aims to bring Go Negosyo forums and expositions in key cities in the country. The Caravan has already visited Cebu, Bacolod, Baguio, and Manila. Go Negosyo sa Pampanga is presented by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Major partners include PAGCOR, Globe, Hyundai, San Miguel Corporation, Splash Corporation, PLDT, Smart, RFM Corporation, Unilever, The Philippine Star, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Bulletin, GMA Network Inc., RPN9, NBN4, Aspac-Law and Creativoices Productions.