De La Salle University and GCash Launch First-Ever Fintech Engineering Elective to Develop the Next Generation of Tech Talent

 

De La Salle University (DLSU) and GCash are partnering to strengthen tech talent development through the NextGen Tech Builders Program, an industry-designed fintech engineering elective that brings real-world technology practices into the university classroom.

 

As DLSU’s Term 1 classes starts, DLSU undergraduate students will gain hands-on experience with the technologies and development practices used to build and operate large-scale digital platforms.

 

The elective is part of a deeper collaboration between DLSU and GCash, giving students the opportunity to develop fintech engineering skills while still in university. The program combines classroom learning with practical work, including a fintech capstone project where students can apply what they learn to real-world challenges.

 

DLSU students also joined a forum introducing the new elective and its fintech track. Ding, a DLSU alumnus and member of the GCash Cadetship Program Batch 2023, shared their career journey and experience in fintech, giving students a firsthand look at opportunities in the industry.

 

Through the program, students will learn technologies commonly used in modern fintech development, including Java, Spring Boot, cloud computing, and microservices. GCash will provide course materials and cloud-based laboratory environments to give students hands-on fintech industry-wide experiences, practices, and systems.

 

The initiative builds on the GCash technology cadetship model by bringing industry training into the university curriculum. This gives students earlier exposure to the skills and practices they can expect to use in their future technology careers.

 

“DLSU is committed to preparing our students not only with strong academic foundations but also with the practical skills and industry exposure they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving technology landscape. Through this collaboration with GCash, we are creating opportunities for our students to learn directly from industry practices and better prepare for meaningful careers in fintech and technology,” said DLSU College of Computer Studies dean Dr. Ethel Ong.

 

Students who complete the GCash elective will also have access to fast-tracked pathways into technical roles at GCash, creating a direct link between their academic experience and potential career opportunities.

 

For GCash, the partnership reflects its broader commitment to developing the talent needed to support the country’s growing digital economy. By working closely with universities, GCash is helping strengthen the pipeline of Filipino technology professionals while bringing industry experience closer to the classroom.

 

“Technology talent is critical to the continued growth of the digital economy, and we believe that developing that talent should begin well before students enter the workforce. Through the NextGen Tech Builders Program, we are bringing our industry experience into the classroom to help students build practical, relevant skills and create a stronger pipeline of locally trained fintech engineers,” shared Mynt chief people officer, Robert Gonzales.

 

The NextGen Tech Builders Program represents a closer connection between university education and industry practice, giving DLSU students an opportunity to develop specialized fintech engineering skills while still in school. Through the collaboration, DLSU and GCash aim to contribute to a stronger pipeline of locally trained technology talent prepared for the demands of the digital economy.

For more information, visit https://www.gcash.com.

PCPPI Champions Quality Excellence Culture

Quality assurance and food safety are at the core of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.’s (PCPPI) operations. The organization recently reinforced their commitment to uphold excellence in line with PCPPI and PepsiCo’s observance of World Quality Month this November.

“Customer satisfaction drives our commitment to excellence at PCPPI. We encourage employees to perform beyond expectations in line with our vision to be the country’s leading beverage company,” said PCCPI president and CEO Frederick D. Ong.

Compliance to stringent safety regulations ensures quality at PCPPI. All facilities received the Safety Seal Certification from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), certifying all plants and offices practice public health standards and occupational safety and health standards set by the government. PCPPI was also recognized for its compliance and enforcement efforts of COVID-19 health standards.

Accreditation and Certification
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is among the various organizations conducting regular audits on PCPPI’s facilities. Aside from ensuring compliance to food safety regulations, the FDA reviews PCPPI’s implementation of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and compliance to the provisions of the facilities’ Licenses to Operate.

Currently, six of PCPPI plants have retained their Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) V5.1 through a comprehensive audit by reputable testing, inspection and certification authority SGS in early 2022. PCPPI’s plant in San Fernando, Pampanga also completed the first McDonald’s Social Welfare Accountability (SWA) and Supplier Quality Management System Audit (SQMS).

Quality and Food Safety Training
At PCPPI, development programs are in place to support ongoing learning for employees and business partners. Since 2015, over 1,800 employees and partners have enrolled in Level 1 Capability Building Program courses to broaden their understanding about quality assurance and food safety. Courses include Food Fraud Mitigation, Vulnerability Risk Assessment, and Statistical Process Control.

PCPPI’s pool of PepsiCo-certified site expert trainers have also conducted nearly 5,000 training hours. Certified training leaders have also completed courses focused on improving product quality and productivity.

Fostering Values through Engagement
Among PCPPI’s initiatives to further enhance the company-wide commitment to excellence are regular communication on policy updates, as well as best practice sharing across teams. Employees also undergo refresher courses on managing customer feedback in compliance with national regulations.

The organization’s focus on ensuring product and service quality goes beyond mere process. PCPPI upholds excellence as one of its core values. “Excellence is a shared responsibility. By holding ourselves accountable to our standards, we aim to continuously inspire our employees to remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering the best value to all our stakeholders,” added Ong.

PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country. It sells well-known brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Milkis, Aquafina, and Premier.

PCPPI wins Corporate Excellence Award at Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

President and CEO Frederick D. Ong honored with Master Entrepreneur Award

-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) wins at APEA 2022. The photo shows PCPPI president and chief executive officer Frederick D. Ong proudly showing the company’s Corporate Excellence Award and his Master Entrepreneur Award from the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2022. The annual recognition program honors the region’s best in business performance towards sustainable growth.

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country, was presented the Corporate Excellence Award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2022 for achieving operational and entrepreneurial excellence. Held last October 20, 2022 in Penang, Malaysia, the APEA ceremony also honored PCPPI President and Chief Executive Officer Frederick D. Ong with the Master Entrepreneur Award. This honor highlights industry trailblazers whose strong entrepreneurial characters inspire up-and-coming leaders.

Since joining PCPPI in 2020, Ong has led the organization in embracing digitization and organizational transformation. He was instrumental in driving the renewal of PCPPI’s go-to-market strategy and the strengthening of its distribution network and expansion of PCPPI’s product portfolio.

PCPPI has also demonstrated its resilience and agility in the face of adversity. Even at the height of the global pandemic, PCPPI remained true to its sustainability commitment with clear focus on developing talent, ensuring profitability, and being responsible stewards of the environment. The organization continued to drive operational efficiencies while ensuring employee well-being. PCPPI also supports health and safety initiatives in the local communities where it operates.

Ong attributed PCPPI’s success to the organization’s initiatives to uphold the ICARE (Integrity and Innovation, Care and Respect, and Excellence and Empowerment) values in how it conducts business and the manner in which employees interact and collaborate.

“Despite recent challenges, PCPPI‘s commitment to our values and our vision remains strong,” said Ong. “We extend our appreciation to the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards for recognizing our contributions to the country’s sustainable growth. These awards motivate us at PCPPI to continue driving business growth without compromise to our commitments to our stakeholders,” he added.

APEA is a regional recognition program spearheaded by non-government organization Enterprise Asia. The annual awards honor organizations and leaders that demonstrate remarkable performance and leadership while remaining true to their social responsibilities.

Aside from the most recent accolades from APEA, Ong was recently named among the Top 50 Rising Tigers in the Asia Pacific by the Asia Leaders Awards. PCPPI has also received the 2022 Golden Globe Tigers Awards for Best Change Management Initiative (for Project SWIFT) and Excellence in the Production of Learning Content
(for the GREAT Playbook, PCPPI’s guide to the new normal).

PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of well-known beverage brands in the Philippines: Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, Premier, Milkis, and Aquafina.

PCPPI’s Playbook on New Normal Promotes Self-Care and Mental Well-Being

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought uncertainties and disruptions in the lives of most Filipinos, including businesses nationwide.

When the National Government mandated all business establishments to implement COVID-19 Prevention and Control Measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) complied and implemented immediate and essential changes in its operations in order to ensure the safety and well-being of its people.

PCPPI created a playbook that contains action points, polices and procedures, and served as a primary guide to the company’s “new normal.”

“This playbook aims to help our employees, or our Bravehearts, get and stay on track. It offers easy-to-read tips and measures as we return to work and live under the new normal. This also reminds us to continue caring for ourselves and one another. I hope that with this playbook, our employees will be able to re-build their momentum and work with renewed strength, so we can help sustain our organization and continue its growth during and beyond the new normal,” PCPPI President and CEO Frederick Ong said.

PCPPI believes improving one’s health and well-being is fundamental in the country’s fight against COVID-19. This playbook is also meant to promote mental health awareness through effective people management.

“Aside from educating and enforcing the new working protocols that both the government and science prescribe on the new normal, that includes frequent hand washing, social distancing, and wearing of face mask/shield, in PCPPI, we understand that our employees’ health and welfare start mainly with self-care and their mental well-being,” Ong added.
The company encourages its employees to practice self-care. Their own health and well-being must come first before anyone and anything else. The playbook also provides mental health care tips, as mental health is as important as physical health, especially during this time of a pandemic.

It is important to stay socially connected while physically distanced. Here are PCPPI’s pieces of advice in mental health care: 

• Maintain connection with friends, family and loved ones. Leverage on technology.
• Develop coping skills.
• Seek medical and professional help when needed.
Embracing changes

PCPPI welcomed changes through three interdependent focus areas in the playbook. The first focus area dubbed “Great to be back,” highlighted the importance of getting correct information and guide on the new normal; the second focus area called “Great to be Pepsi” talked about setting the right mindset as employees embark on the new normal; and lastly, the “Great for others” focus area is about taking action for others and the environment.

The company also conducted a series of webinar on COVID-19, with Dr. Yvonne Ferrer of DLSU Department of Pharmacology; and on Stress Management for employees to deal with the effects of the pandemic, work-from-home set-up, and preparing them for the new normal.

“It is our goal to maintain a healthy balance to support our employees, the community, and the business. The company is committed to remain responsible in delivering our obligations in service to the Filipino people,” Ong added. “Let us make it a social responsibility to look after ourselves, customers, families, friends, organization, community and the environment, all pulling together to move forward.”