CHAMPIONS FOR A HEALTHIER PHILIPPINES. Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) executives join hands with officials from DepEd, DENR, and DA during the Eat Well, Live Well Youth Summit held in Tagaytay on January 31, 2026. The summit gathered 250 participants from CALABARZON to promote balanced nutrition and sustainable living.
(L-R): Mika Makino (APC Director); Bea Menorca-de Jesus (APC Nutritionist);  Johnalen Aira S. Soberano (DepED); Ms. Eduarda Zapanta (DepED Supervisor); Kristoff Buyoc (APC Manager); Dr. Azucena Milana-Dayanghirang (Nutrition Expert); Koichi Ozaki (APC President); and Makoto Tanabe (APC Senior Vice President)

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) reaffirmed its commitment to long-term social and environmental value creation at its recent Eat Well Live Well Youth Summit, which emphasized the importance of nutrition, sustainable practices and the power of the youth as agents of change. The 2026 Youth Summit, held in Tagaytay for the CALABARZON youth put primary focus on a simple yet powerful philosophy: Eat Well, Live Well. In a world of convenience, Ajinomoto is challenging the youth to realize that the pleasure of eating should not come at the expense of health or the planet. 

APC President Mr. Koichi Ozaki elaborated, “Ajinomoto is committed to building a network of Wellness Champions. The youth are the best influencers of their social circles and communities. When a student learns how to cook a “Veggielicious” meal or learns a mindful approach to food that minimizes waste and shares these with their loved ones and peers - that’s how we can spark change and create a healthier society.” 

APC has brought the Youth Summit across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, engaging with students from different schools and communities. This was possible through the endorsement of national and regional offices of the Department of Education (DepEd) and support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as well as Department of Agriculture (DA). 

APC’s CALABARZON Youth Summit was attended by: DepEd Chief Education Supervisor of the Education Support Services Division Ms. Eduarda Zapanta; DepEd Region IV-A Nutritionist-Dietician II Ms. Johnalen Aira S. Soberano; DENR Regional Community Development Officer Mr. Elbert Basallote; DA OIC- Field Operations Head Mr. Felix Joselito H. Noceda; and former National Nutrition Council Deputy Executive Director Dr. Azucena Milana-Dayanghirang. All of them echoed the sentiment that the future of Philippine wellness lies in the hands of a nutritionally and environmentally conscious youth. 

About 250 participants from public and private schools were immersed in insightful panel discussions and engaging learning activities. APC’s Nutrition Advancement team spearheaded interesting talks about the fifth basic taste, umami, as well as its efforts in promoting vegetable consumption and understanding how umami seasoning or MSG can make nutritious food more delicious. 

 

APC’s Sustainability team, on the other hand, highlighted the Ajinomoto Group’s “Too Good To Waste” initiative that incorporated easy to follow tips on consuming food mindfully - from choosing to eat more vegetables to cooking them deliciously with umami and minimizing waste. 

The summit culminated in a heartfelt Ceremonial Pledge, where students, teachers, and stakeholders expressed their commitment to the “Eat Well, Live Well” mission. 

Closing the event, APC’s Sales, Marketing & Public Relations Director Mika Makino challenged the student delegates to be catalysts for change. “Today is the beginning of your journey as Champions,” 

 Makino stated. By integrating these mindful habits into your daily lifestyle, you are not only improving your own well-being but are also leading the change toward a more sustainable Philippines.”

L-R: Sarah Coe, Redscope CEO, Morexette Erram, CBN Sr. Multi-media Reporter, Cheryl de la Victoria, DA Chief of Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Information Section, Dr. Paulyn Jean Ubial, Redscope TWG Chairperson, Koichi Ozaki, President of Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC), Ma. Victoria Abrera, DENR Regional Director for Central Visayas, Atty. Salustiano Jimenez, DepEd 7 Regional Director, Mika Makino, APC Director of Sales, Marketing and Public Relations, Ernie Carlos, APC Chief Sustainability Officer, and Madelin Dofiles, PFT, APC General Manager for Corporate Planning and Public Relations

It was a day of Empowerment, Learning, and Commitment to Health and Sustainability for Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) when they successfully held its Eat Well, Live Well: 2024 Youth Summit at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu City. Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s summit gathered over 150 enthusiastic young Filipinos, educators, and advocates in a day focused on wellness, nutrition, and sustainable living.

The 2024 Youth Summit is part of APC’s ongoing commitment to empowering the next generation with the knowledge and tools to make a positive impact on their communities and the environment. The event was filled with interactive sessions, engaging talks, and collaborative activities aimed at fostering a culture of health and sustainability among Gen Z participants.

Empowering Cebu’s Youth for a Healthier Future

APC Group President Koichi Ozaki delivered a remarkable message to the youth and shared Ajinomoto’s vision for a healthier, more sustainable Philippines. “The mission of APC is to contribute to food and wellness to better lives of the future and we take it upon us to inspire the younger generations to become champions of a healthy and sustainable future,” said Mr. Ozaki. “Ajinomoto is here to make your eating experience happy, healthy and satisfying.”

Throughout the day, participants engaged in panel discussions with experts from the Department of Agriculture (DA), represented by Ms. Cheryl de la Victoria, Chief of Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Information Section and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), represented by Ms. Maria Victoria V. Abrera, Regional Director for Central Visayas, exploring key topics such as sustainable nutrition, waste reduction, and wellness practices. Through these dialogues, APC aimed to deepen the youth’s understanding of how small daily actions can lead to significant positive changes for both health and the environment.

Interactive Activities and Youth-Led Solutions

The summit featured hands-on activities, allowing attendees to actively participate in brainstorming solutions for real-world sustainability challenges. In one of the day’s highlights, a Youth-Led Output Activity encouraged participants to develop actionable ideas for living healthier and more eco-conscious lives. Groups collaborated to present innovative approaches, from reducing food waste to promoting planet-based diets, which encourage the increase in consumption of vegetables as reflected in Ajinomoto’s “Eat Well, Live Well” philosophy.

Another successful run of Eat Well, Live Well 2024 Youth Summit by Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation!

The breakout room sessions also gave opportunities for all student attendees to gain first-hand learning experience about the science behind MSG plus witness how vegetables can be turned into a delicious dish using almost all its parts with nearly zero-waste. The best part, they all got to taste it.

A ceremonial pledge concluded the event, with all participants vowing to implement the lessons learned and advocate for healthier, more sustainable lifestyles within their communities.

A Continued Commitment to Health and Sustainability

Ajinomoto’s Eat Well, Live Well: 2024 Youth Summit aligns with the company’s global vision of extending healthy life expectancy and reducing environmental impact by 50% by 2030. Through impactful events like this, APC Group continues to inspire young Filipinos to become proactive leaders in health and environmental stewardship.

To show force on Ajinomoto’s advocacy for a better and healthier future for all Filipino children, APC Group is also bringing the Aji-Ginisa® I Love Veggie-licious School Caravan in Cebu, at the Lahug Elementary School, to continue encouraging and educating the younger generations about the importance of nutritious eating.

L-R: Johnkarl Manimbo – APC Sustainability Specialist, Japhet Bulingit - Corporate Sustainability Associate (BEST), Jonalyn Peñas - Business Development Officer (BEST), Andrea Villaroman - Head of QC CCESD, Ernie Carlos – APC Chief Sustainability Officer, Engr. Ceidge Razon - Corporate Sustainability Manager (BEST), Claire Vinarao - Chief, Adaptation Division (CCESD), Maribel Marquez - Acting Chief, Resource Efficiency Section (CCESD) and Kirstoff Buyoc – APC Sustainability Executive.

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC), together with Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies (BEST) and the Quezon City Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (QC CCESD), is proud to celebrate the six-month progress of the SariCycle® Program. This groundbreaking initiative has garnered over 600 active participants and has successfully collected more than 4,000 kilograms of single-use plastics (SUPs) since its launch in January 2024.

SariCycle® is a joint effort in the field of waste management and sustainability. The program was established to mitigate the increasing problem of plastic waste, focusing on collecting and recycling single-use plastic in smaller communities. This began in selected locations within Quezon City where there are large numbers of sari-sari stores. The participants, known as "SariCyclers," are incentivized with special product bundles from Ajinomoto Philippines. They are also given Environmental Points (EPs) that can be used as cash at participating vendors.

Among the participants are key members of Quezon City’s livelihood programs, including beneficiaries of the “Tindahan ni Mayor Joy” initiative and persons with disabilities (PWD) beneficiaries. The collective effort of these SariCyclers has resulted in significant strides in promoting environmental responsibility and awareness.

During the six-month evaluation meeting held at the QC CCESD office, representatives from APC, BEST, and QC CCESD, headed by Ms. Andrea Villaroman, were all in attendance to share and update the program’s current achievements and the challenges ahead. APC’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Ernie Carlos, shared how grateful APC is to the community for their unwavering support and emphasized the importance of the collaboration between the public and private sectors.

“The SariCycle® Program is testament to the positive and impactful effects we can achieve for the good of our environment when we all work towards a more sustainable future. Indeed, we take inspiration from the communities in Quezon City and our partners at BEST, when it comes to being stewards of the environment,” Carlos said.

To acknowledge the company’s role in this environmental effort, Ajinomoto Philippines was honored at BEST’s 25th Anniversary celebration on September 16, 2024, at Crowne Plaza Manila. BEST, a key player in solid waste management in the Philippines, shared how proud they are to have worked with APC, and its dedication to environmental sustainability and awarded the company a plaque of appreciation for its active role in the SariCycle® Program. APC’s Sustainability Executive, Kirstoff Buyoc, accepted the award for Ajinomoto Philippines. He also served as co-presenter for the recognition given to the top-performing SariCyclers during the event.

Also in attendance at the anniversary celebration were key leaders in the Circular Economy movement, including Senator Cynthia Villar, the principal author of the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Law. This event highlighted the importance of the collaboration of the public and private sectors in winning sustainability initiatives and making things happen for the sake of the environment.

Ajinomoto Philippines remains committed to promoting responsible consumption and environmental stewardship through its ongoing initiatives. APC will continue to lead their projects with a positive outlook, looking forward to expanding the SariCycle® Program. To work closely with their partners to build a more sustainable future for all, true to their commitment in advocating the “Eat Well, Live Well” lifestyle.

Breakfast is undoubtedly the most important meal of the day. It sets the mood for how you start your mornings and essentially becomes your fuel to kickstart your tasks, may it be in school, at the office, at home, or anywhere you’re meant to be for the day. Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC), considers this as a vital part of one’s twenty-four hour period, especially here in the Philippines, as it launches its first easy-to-make breakfast that takes less than a minute to prepare! This is the perfect companion for those on-the-go, and also for those who want a hassle free quick breakfast that doesn’t compromise nutritional value and that savory flavor.

Fo
r the
first time ever, a live demonstration on how to prepare the Ajinomoto Soup & Go® was celebrated at the Konbini. (A Japanese term for convenience store) Located in Market Market Taguig, the pop-up store is a site to see in the middle of the mall’s open space near the terminals, that mimics a real life convenience store which sells Ajinomoto products. This will surely catch everyone’s attention and excite you to explore what is in its glass walls. Graced by APC President Mr. Koichi Ozaki, Mr. Koichi himself demonstrates how easy it is to prepare the tasty breakfast soup. All that is needed is to have your own cup, pour in the contents of the Soup & Go® sachet, add hot water and stir. After following these easy steps, all that’s left is to wait for 1 minute to finally have that first serving of the delicious soup.

“We are very excited for the Philippines because we know how the Filipino people love breakfast. With Soup & Go®, our aim is to make their mornings brighter through a convenient dish that’s flavorful and nutritious made with carefully selected ingredients from Japan like corn from the Hokkaido farms (just for corn flavor), and authentic milk from Japan (for all flavors),” says Mr. Koichi Ozaki when asked about what the company aims to achieve with Soup & Go®.

Soup & Go® comes in three flavors, including Corn, Potato, and Pumpkin, packaged with three single-serve sachets in each box and is available at only Php85. Currently available exclusively in 7-11 branches for the first three months. Soon, Soup & Go® will be available nationwide.

 

(From left:) Kazuki Kyoya, Category Manager, MarketingKoichi Ozaki, APC PresidentMika Makino, APC Director for Sales, Marketing and Public Relations

“We in Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation are committed to championing a lifestyle that indeed echoes our slogan, Eat Well, Live Well. Through our newest product, Soup & Go®, we are optimistic that it will not only make the mornings of our Filipino customers more convenient, but will also equip them with the necessary nutrients and boost their mood by starting their day with a healthier and flavorful breakfast.” ends Mr. Koichi Ozaki.

Soup & Go® is Ajinomoto’s first instant soup product introduced to the Philippine market. APC believes that through these easy-to-prepare meals, their customers are given wider options when it comes to choosing a healthy and flavorful meal that is sure to sustain their nutritional needs for the morning without compromising their daily budget and quality of food. For APC, quality and taste has always been paramount when it comes to their products, and the Soup & Go® is testament to the continued innovation and commitment of the company to improving the quality of life of the Filipino people through nutrition and everyday ingredients that elevates every meal.

The Soup & Go® official brand video was also shown during the event held at the Konbini & Go, you may enjoy the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7NIgqOQVEo