In celebration of its 50th anniversary, CDO Foodsphere, Inc. welcomed media stakeholders to its Malvar, Batangas manufacturing plant for a rare, behind-the-scenes look into the company’s legacy and future. The event, aptly titled “WELCOME TO OUR HOME”, offered guests an immersive journey into the heart of one of the Philippines’ most trusted food companies.
The milestone event brought together three generations of the Ong family, the founders and leaders behind CDO’s growth from a small home kitchen in Valenzuela to a national brand trusted by millions. The company’s President and CEO, Jerome D. Ong, delivered the opening remarks, honoring CDO’s roots and vision.
“CDO was built on a simple dream, to serve food that brings Filipino families the taste of home. Today, 50 years later, we continue that mission—with greater purpose, broader reach, and a renewed commitment to quality, innovation, and care. What began as a family’s humble pursuit has become a shared journey with millions of Filipino households—and we’re just getting started.”
Guests were welcomed by Senior Vice President Charmaine Ong-Castro, followed by a series of insightful talks from company leaders, including Bernice Jalgalado, VP for Marketing, who highlighted how CDO continues to evolve its product offerings through deep consumer insight, purposeful innovation, and brand storytelling rooted in real-life mealtime moments; and Rene Hernandez, VP for Plant Operations, who showcased the company’s modern systems, including an FSSC certification, and expansive sustainability initiatives.
The day was designed as an “open home”, where guests moved through breakout sessions to experience the company’s manufacturing excellence firsthand and learn more about its CSR programs through the Odyssey Foundation. Introduced by Jason Ong, VP for Emerging Businesses and Foundation President, he revealed how CDO supports communities through their Kalusugan (health), Kabuhayan (livelihood), Kalikasan (environment), and Karunungan (education) initiatives.
The event also featured the participation of the third generation of Ongs—Janna Ong-Santos and Jao Ong—who spoke about their roles in brand building and customer development, giving a glimpse into CDO’s future through fresh perspectives and youthful energy.
From the guided plant tours to the lunch featuring beloved CDO products, the event gave guests not only a view into how food is made, but why it matters.
In her message, Founder and Chairperson Corazon Dayro Ong, who started the company in 1975, reflected: “When we started CDO 50 years ago, I was just a mom cooking in our small home kitchen—hoping to share something good with others. I never imagined that our simple dream would grow into a company that would be part of so many Filipino homes. Seeing where we are now, and knowing that our food has become part of your tables and your milestones, fills me with deep joy and gratitude.”
Now with over 5,000 employees and a presence in thousands of channels and retail stores, CDO continues to invest in modernization while staying rooted in its values. Its mission remains clear—to serve great-tasting, quality food that is delicious, affordable, and accessible, bringing people together across generations and preserving the freshness of home-cooked meals.
As the event came to a close with warm celebration and heartfelt greetings, what resonated most was that CDO’s 50-year journey is a story of family, Filipino resilience, and food that doesn’t just fill the table—but brings people home.
