Milo Marathon pledges shoes for 4,000 kids

SOURCE: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 4,000 children will receive new running shoes this Christmas, courtesy of the 34th National MILO Marathon (NMM).

The event's finals were held Sunday, with Filipinos Eduardo Buenavista and Flordeliza Donos ruling the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.

Buenavista won his third crown, clocking 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 18 seconds, racing past Kenyans Willy Tanui (2:29:00) and William Kipyedo (2:30:19). He had previously won the 2002 and 2008 titles.

Meanwhile, criminology graduate Donos also kept the Philippine flag flying high, finishing at 3:05:07.

She crossed the finish line ahead of Kenyan Susan Jemutai (3:05:52) and Filipino Mary Joy Tabal (3:08:38).

The race started at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, with the number of participants reaching 15,000.

The NMM had 17 regional races across the country for the past 6 months.

Part of the proceeds from the 17 legs have already been used to donate 3,600 pairs of shoes to school children from Manila, Dagupan, Baguio, General Santos, Davao, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Ilo-Ilo, San Pablo, Naga, Batangas, Puerto Princesa, Tarlac, Olongapo, Butuan, and Cagayan de Oro.

"The root of this advocacy lies in our belief that we’re not just giving these children running shoes. We’re giving them something that they can wear to school, for sports and other activities. It’s definitely a step to help them reach their true potential and be the best that they can be," race organizers said on the event's official website — With reports from The Philippine Star

Nestlé Welcomes New Batch of Scholars

Chairman and CEO John Miller and EXECOM Members Gid Manuel, Edith de Leon, Peter Noszek, and Sandra Puno with the new batch of Nestlé scholars

Twenty-three new scholars have joined the roster of qualified employee children enjoying the benefits of the Nestlé Scholarship Program, now on its 14th year.


This brings to 393 the total of Nestlé Scholars today, with the most number coming from MAO (39%), followed by Cabuyao and Cagayan de Oro (22% each), Lipa (12%), and Pulilan (5%). The number of scholarship slots allotted to each site is based on the ratio and proportion of each site’s manpower count according to employee level.

The new scholars from MAO, Cabuyao, Lipa and Pulilan were awarded their Nestlé Scholarship certificates in simple ceremonies held at the Nestlé Center training rooms on June 1, 2010. Chairman and CEO John Miller, assisted by Corporate HR Director Gid Manuel, Finance & Control Director Peter Noszek, Communications Director Sandra Puno, and Corporate Affairs Director Edith de Leon, presented the certificates to the new scholars and their parents.

In his message, Chairman and CEO John Miller underscored how the Nestlé Scholarship Program demonstrates the value that NPI gives to education. “Although you are very young, you have already exhibited the passion for education,” John told the new batch of scholars. “The most important gift you will ever receive is education. As Nestlé scholars, you are role models, the future leaders of the Philippines. Well done to each and everyone of you.”

John also lauded the parents of the scholars. “Congratulations, parents. You are role models as well.”

The event also marked the first time that the Nestlé Scholarship Program awarding ceremony was held at a central location for all Luzonbased work sites. Corporate Learning & Development Head Mitzie Antonio explained, “We decided to have just one awarding for all Luzon-based worksites here at MAO to allow our new scholars and their parents the opportunity to meet our EXECOM.”

CDO held its Nestlé Scholarship Program awarding ceremony on June 26 at the factory. Grade 5 student Hendrich Namoca, son of Pulilan HR Executive Hope Namoca, led the opening prayer where he thanked the Lord “for giving us the best parents who always guide us in everything we do, showing us love and support.”

In her closing prayer, Grade 2 student Angela Paderes, the 7-year old daughter of Cabuyao Factory’s Ethel Paderes, thanked the Lord for the blessing, and urged fellow scholars to “study well to make our parents proud of us.”

Employee-parent representative from Sales Control, Joy Ginez, mother of new scholar Isabelle Beatriz, expressed her gratitude to the Nestlé family for the recognition given to employees’ children through the program. “This is a concrete example of Creating Shared Value. Rest assured that your investment in our scholars is an investment for their future.”

Started in 1996, the Nestlé Scholarship Program recognizes the academically outstanding children of Nestlé employees, in order to inspire and motivate them to continue to excel in their studies. Once awarded, the scholarship is renewable every year, provided the student-scholar maintains an annual Grade Point Average of 85% or its equivalent, with no failing marks or incomplete grade in any subject. The employee-parent of the scholar must likewise be of good standing in the Company, with no records of unexcused absence, violation of the rule on tardiness, and suspension.

Nestlé scholars in grade school and high school get a company assistance of PhP 16,000 annually, while college and vocational scholars receive a yearly assistance of PhP 25,000.

“We welcome the new batch of Nestlé scholars, and wish them all the best as they strive to continue to excel in the school year 2010-2011. We hope that our Nestlé scholars will serve as an inspiration to students out there to value their education and study hard to achieve excellence,” Gid said.

SOURCE: Nestle Family Balita (June 30, 2010)

GMA Inaugurates NBS (with former Chairman and CEO Nandu Nandkishore)

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo formally inaugurated the Nestlé Business Services (NBS) AOA on February 29, 2008 in simple ceremonies held at the NBS offices in Meycauayan, Bulacan. 

NPI Chairman and CEO Nandu Nandkishore and NBS AOA Head Craig Connolly welcomed the President, who was joined by Trade & Industry Secretary Peter Favila, the Swiss Ambassador Peter Sutter, and members of the local government led by Bulacan Governor Joselito Mendoza, Congresswomen Reylina Nicolas and Lorna Silverio, Congressman Pedro Pancho, Meycauayan City Mayor Joan Alarilla, and members of the City Council of Meycauayan City. Key NPI executives joined DNK in welcoming the President, led by Finance & Control Director Peter Noszek, Corporate Affairs Head Bin Antonio, Incoming Corporate Affairs Head Edith de Leon, Head of Legal Belen Caberte, Director of Communications Noy Dy-Liacco, HR Director Gid Manuel, Outgoing SCM Head Robert Vallender, and HR Director for Zone AOA Nigel Isherwood. 

After cutting the ceremonial ribbon, President Arroyo toured the NBS facilities where Craig and NBS Employee Services Head Fritz Adorable briefed her on the professional services to be rendered by the NBS. A new corporate entity of the global Nestlé Group, the NBS will serve as the shared service center for financial and employee service needs of Nestlé companies in Zone AOA (Asia, Oceania and Africa). Countries to be served by NBS include the Philippines, Malaysia/Singapore, Indonesia, Indochina, Australia and New Zealand. The entity’s financial services will include account payables and receivables as well as accounting operations, while its employee services will cover payroll, HR administration, time management and benefits administration. 

Nandu said that the establishment of NBS in the country, which was announced in August 2007, is a concrete expression of the Nestlé Group’s long-term confidence and commitment to support the continued economic growth of the country. He noted that a number of countries had been considered as possible sites for NBS, with the Philippines finally selected because of talent availability and cost efficiency. “This decision recognizes our world-class capabilities in financial and employee services, and will allow us, yet again, to showcase Filipino competence. We are happy that through the NBS, we are able to help spur economic growth in the country,” he said. 

NBS is designed to deliver best-in-class office support at competitive service levels and costs to Nestlé companies in the region. The Nestlé Group has successfully implemented the shared service model in Europe and the Americas, resulting in maximized cost effectiveness, efficiency, and higher quality of financial and employee service transactions. 

“NBS AOA centralizes the financial and employee service requirements of various Nestlé companies in Zone AOA at one location, in the Philippines. We expect this shared service setup not only to deliver cost efficiencies, but to also allow Nestlé companies to

focus more on their core business, which is generating demand,” Craig shared during the briefing with the President.

NBS AOA is located at the same site in Meycauayan where Nestlé Philippines’ North Distribution Center operates as the Company’s largest and most modern distribution center in the country.  “We chose Meycauayan as the NBS site because the area is underdeveloped from a BPO standpoint. This will allow us to recruit local talent, control turnover, and deliver on our commitments,” Craig explained.

He said that financial and employee services transactions are being taken over by NBS progressively, starting with Nestlé Philippines which completed the transition of its financial services by end of 2007,

and its employee services this month. A total transition of all Nestlé companies in-scope in the Zone is expected by end of 2008. 

NBS AOA now has a complement of 200 professionals with finance and HR expertise, with its manpower expected to grow close to 450 by end of 2008, almost all of whom will be Filipinos. “A major reason why we chose the Philippines as the site for the NBS AOA Shared Service

Centre is the availability of local talent, with an impressive number of graduates generated by the Philippine educational system. We view this as a key strength that will allow us to drive success for NBS AOA,” Craig said.

SOURCE: Nestle Family Balita (March 15, 2008)

EXECOM Visit GMA-7 and Pampanga

Continuing the pursuit to find out what our consumers enjoy doing, what appeals, entertains and engages them, what makes them laugh and how to best reach them, members of the Nestlé Philippines’ Executive Committee recently paid a visit to GMA-7 Studios and Pampanga.


GMA-7 Studios
The EXECOM led by Chairman and CEO John Miller, Finance & Control Director Peter Noszek, and Director of Communications Sandra Puno visited GMA-7 Studios on June 22, 2010.

The NPI team was welcomed by key GMA-7 Executives, led by GMA-7 President and CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon, Senior VP for Entertainment Wilma Galvante and GMA Marketing and Productions Inc. President and COO Lizelle Maralag. The team toured the GMA-7 facilities, including the studios and the news room, where John experienced the network’s newly-implemented hologram reporting with the assistance of GMA-7 news anchor Mike Enriquez.

John, Peter, Sandra, and BEMs Afnan Ahsan and Christophe Stern also visited the set of of GMA-7’s popular sitcoms, Show Me Da Manny, accompanied by Consumer Services Head Au Alipao, Creative Services Head Leslie Go-Alcantara, MPED Head Ruth Novales, Media Head Joy Jolingan,Media Specialist Arlene Talaban and Security Consultant Willie Suarez. Joy and Arlene who organized the GMA visit.

A situational comedy show that airs every Sunday, Show Me Da Manny stars world-renowned boxing champion Manny Pacquiao. Joining Manny is prime time queen Marian Rivera, along with a supporting cast of some of the country’s best comedians.

The NPI team got to meet the cast and crew of the show, except Manny who was in Congress at the time. Afnan, Christophe, Peter and Willie were even given bit parts to play in one of the show’s segments. The episode they starred in was aired in August.

Pampanga
On June 4, 2010, a bigger NPI Team again led by John, Peter and Sandra went on a whole day immersion in Pampanga to get a glimpse of its culture. Joining them were Global Head of Marketing Communication Tom Buday (who was in the country for the Brand Building the Nestlé Way launch); BEMs Eugene David, Ernie Mascenon, Shahab Bachani; Legal Head Russell Andaya, HR Director Gid Manuel, Corporate Affairs Head Edith de Leon, accompanied by Au, Leslie, Ruth, Corporate Wellness Head Cora Sager to an immersion of Pampanga and its culture.

A province located in the Central Luzon region, Pampanga is dubbed as the culinary capital of the Philippines. The NPI team’s first stop was at Museo Ning Angeles, a heritage museum showcasing Pampanga's roots, its rich history and its love affair with food.

The team also visited some of Pampanga's old houses dating back to the Spanish era, the Holy Angel University, and the one of the town’s cathedrals, where they observed children of age undergoing Communion Rites. The immersion was capped off by a lunch at Chef Claude Tayag’s Bale Dutung, where the team experienced authentic Kapangpangan food.


Source: Nestle Family Balita (August 30, 2010)
 
nestle.com.ph

John, Peter, Campo and Eugene Meet the Press

Twenty-five business reporters from print, TV, and radio came to a press briefing held at the Nestlé Center on July 2, where Chairman and CEO John Miller, together with Finance & Control Director Peter Noszek, Technical Director Campo van Beek, and DHNS Business Executive Manager Eugene David, announced the Company’s new factory in Tanauan, Batangas.


Following the press briefing, reports on the new Nestlé investment landed on the leading broadsheets, tabloids, online news sites, forums, and blogsites. The Nestlé investment in Tanauan was also featured in ANC’s Business Nightly, TV5’s Aksyon, IBC 13’s Express Balita, and DZBB’s radio news.


Source: Nestle Family Balita (July 15, 2010)
 
nestle.com.ph

Getting to Know Our Consumers Better - John, Peter, BEMs Visit Wowowee

What do our consumers enjoy doing? What appeals to them? What entertains them? What engages them? What makes them laugh? How is it best to reach them?


To get to know and understand what stimulates and motivates them, the Nestlé Business Executive Managers (BEMs) led by Chairman and CEO John Miller, Finance & Control Director Peter Noszek, and Director of Communications Sandra Puno visited popular ABS-CBN noontime show Wowowee on the set of its live program on February 8, 2010. A top rating variety show that airs live on weekdays and Saturdays, Wowowee is known for its games, quizzes, and charades, where host Willie Revillame challenges contestants to guess their way to winning from hundreds to thousands of pesos. John, Peter, Sandra and BEMs Eugene David, Ernie Mascenon, Shahab Bachani, Afnan Ahsan, and Joey Uy joined the audience, accompanied by Market Intelligence Head Jing Villacorta, Consumer Services Head Au Alipao, C&MS Projects Head Jason Avancena, and Media Head Joy Jolingan who organized the Wowowee visit. As part of the live show’s audience that day, the NPI team gamely participated in portions of the show’s program, as the hosts asked the audience to sing, dance, shout and break into applause.

Wowowee host Willie Revillame personally picked John to take part in the show’s much applauded Hep Hep Hurray Game, where selected members of the audience were asked to go on stage to participate in the contest. On stage, comedienne Pokwang introduced herself to John as the NESTLÉ Sorbetes endorser and planted a kiss on John’s cheek. Willie then asked John what his message was to the TV viewers, and the Chairman and CEO quickly retorted, “Buy more Nestlé products, most especially NESTLÉ Sorbetes.” Peter Noszek was asked to carry a placard labeled “Hungary” to represent his home country. At one point during the show, one of the hosts asked Peter, “Sir, you are from Hungary. Are you hungry?” to which Peter gamely answered “Yes” to the delight of the audience.

The visit to Wowowee is part of a bigger consumer immersion program specially designed by Communications & Marketing Services C&MS) to allow the BEMs to experience a slice of the consumers’ lives – what clicks with them and what things or practices they value. “It is important that we understand the mindset of our consumers so we know how we can connect with them, and how we can strengthen our bond with them,” Sandra explained. “Those of us who develop and decide on consumer communication must always think of the audience we need to talk to. The Wowowee visit was a great fun-filled learning experience and I would like to thank especially our friends at ABS-CBN.”

Peter couldn’t agree more. “It was great to see and understand what attracts the attention of our consumers. I was impressed by the professionalism of the Wowowee crew. The show was very organized, from the warm-up for the audience to sing, dance, clap and generally behave, through the live show and the breaks in between.” Up until that time, Peter said he did not realize the extent of Wowowee’s reach and impact. Only a few minutes after the show started, he received about 40 text messages from people who claimed they or their relatives saw him on TV.


Attesting to the power of TV, John also shared an experience that happened at the airport one Saturday morning after the show. While he was standing in queue for the security check, John got the surprise of his life when the man behind him pointed to him and suddenly blurted, “Wowowee! You are the chairman of Nestlé!” It turned out that the man, a visiting Balikbayan from Florida, regularly watches Wowowee and saw John’s live participation in the game.

ABS-CBN President Charo Santos, News and Current Affairs Managing Director Maria Ressa, Channel 2 Head Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Corporate Affairs Head Bong Osorio and Head of Channel 2 Sales August Benitez led the network team who welcomed the NPI guests. Aside from experiencing a live show, the NPI team was also taken on a tour of ABS-CBN facilities, including visits to the studio of the talent show Showtime, TV Patrol, and radio station DZMM. The tour was capped by a visit to the much talked about Pinoy Big Brother house, where the team got a glimpse of the lives behind the reality show.

John said, “It was a very good learning experience that stimulates outof- the-box thinking on how to best reach out to our consumers. Watching the show live lends valuable insights into what appeals to our Pinoy family. Joining the game allowed me to get into the shoes of the consumer and understand how he felt, his motivation to win. The learnings from this brief but meaningful experience at Wowowee are certainly helpful as we set out to Win Lives in 2010.”


Source: Nestle Family Balita (March 30, 2010)

nestle.com.ph

Running with the Greatest!

Chairman and CEO John Miller and Finance & Control Director Peter Noszek ran recently with the now legendary Ethiopian long-distance track and road running athlete Haile Gebrselassie at the Manila Polo Club.


Regarded universally as the greatest distance runner of all times, the 37-year old Haile has broken 27 world records and won numerous Olympic and World Championship titles. He is the current world record holder of the marathon distance with a time of 2h 03m 59s. Noting Haile’s mild jetlag, the 52- and 44-year old NPI contestants slowed down a bit, just before the finish line. The three gentlemen crossed the finish line together, John on Haile’s left and Peter on his right!

Haile was in the Philippines recently for the launch of the G4S 4Teen Program where he is the inspirational ambassador. The program groups together 14 of the world’s best young athletes who will be groomed for the 2012 London Olympics.

Source: Nestle Family Balita (March 15, 2010)

nestle.com.ph

Emphasis on health and wellness boosts Nestlé’s growth performance

By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT
Manila Bulletin
March 15, 2010

Most companies, especially those engaged in the food business, are adapting the buzzword “health and wellness,” but not all of them are really taking it to heart. One simple measure of success for such a campaign is to take a look at the conduct of the company’s very own people.
Let me walk you through the impact of Nestlé Philippines’ health and wellness program in the eyes of its chief finance officer Peter Noszek.
Confined to the finance matters of the world’s largest “Nutrition, Health and Wellness” company, Peter, at first, did not give much attention to joining the company’s Milo marathon although he is a very good tennis player. Peter started playing tennis at 9 years old and at 18 was Hungary’s second best in junior tennis.
But his wife, Agi, who started running during his posting in Nestlé New Zealand , influenced him to start running. They both now run for the Milo marathon, Nestlé Philippines flagship sports program.
Conscious of the company’s Nutrition, Health and Wellness direction, it dawned upon Peter to look at ways on how he could contribute to the company’s image.
“The finance function does not directly put us in direct contact with consumers, but since the company has given more attention to fund nutrition programs and trainings this make the finance department play a key role in this growth path that we are taking,” says Peter.
As such, being in the finance department of the world’s number one NHW company, Peter sees to it that his role and influence in the company is not only limited to dealing with numbers, figures and ledgers.
He not only decided to walk the talk, but also makes sure others are going to follow suit.
During one of their executive committee meetings, Peter surprised everyone when after presenting his usual financial charts the last slide he showed was a matrix – bonus targets for the Nestle bigwigs who can meet the required kilometer run based on one’s age and fitness.
The trick proved to be effective.
“Half of them did,” says Peter.
For Peter, he realized that joining the Milo marathon did a lot of benefits to his health.
“My perceived knee injury is gone. My cholesterol level and my heart are both okay and I weigh my ideal weight at 67 kilos from 73 kilos. While running, you can completely ‘switch off’ and can have some valuable time to yourself. Running is also the cheapest sports possible, all you need is a good pair of shoes. All in all, simply put, what I like most about running is that it is fun,” says Peter, who was born to a chemist mom and a mathematician dad.
“I have been with Nestlé for the past 18 years, but it was only in the past two years that I started running,” says Peter.
He has been running since 2007 and is now a full marathoner and is always looking forward to breaking his own personal record in the 42k Milo marathon. Peter is proud of the local unit’s nutrition, health and wellness programs for having encouraged Nestlé employees’ participation.
“There is no incentive for those that participate in our various programs, only good health,” says Peter.
But, Nestlé’s people now serve as the company’s goodwill ambassadors transcending the benefits of Nestle products to consumers, “Choose Wellness, Choose Nestlé.”
“Image-wise,” says Peter, “Nestlé Philippines has a better corporate reputation than any other country in the reputation index. We are in the forefront. People grow up with our products and we consistently try to provide quality and health benefits to them,” says Peter.
Nestlé Philippines is the sixth biggest company in the Philippines and the tenth biggest in the Nestlé world in terms of sales turnover. Nestlé Philippines delivers and it would be unwise not to be able to sustain all these achievements.
By endearing itself to its customers, Peter said, the company is securing its future and its people’s future.
“This strategy is something that we are working for the long-term and it is global. It is how the whole world is developing,” says Peter.
Nestlé Philippines is looking forward to a better 2010 performance in the Philippines.
With a strong emphasis on nutrition, health and wellness, its innovative quality products and a workforce that is serving as the company’s goodwill ambassadors, Nestlé is in the right direction. Peter, along with the other Nestlé employees, will not tire running the talk because it makes sense, health and wealth-wise.