A SIMPLE DREAM.

That’s how it all began on June 25, 1975 for Dietician Corazon Dayro-Ong.From a simple dream
of providing delicious food for her family, the story of CDO has turned intoan endless
commitment of providing Filipinos with high quality food products, at the most affordable
prices.
In their family home, she started to produce homemade meat products to sell to her friends and
neighbors. Orders began pouring in as her products gained popularity through word of mouth.
Before long, her family’s residential lot in Marulas, Valenzuela became the site of a small meat
processing plant. One woman’s dream slowly became a reality to benefit millions of Filipinos. In
1981, Foodsphere, Inc. was established as the producer of CDO brand of processed meat, with
the inclusion of many new product lines. Empowering her family to reach goals beyond what she
had imagined, the company flourished with the Ong family as its key officers.

Eight years later, Foodsphere, Inc. would acquire a 5,000 square meter plot of land in Canumay,
Valenzuela. This would make way for a new plant capable of producing up to 30,000 kgs of
assorted meat products daily.

In 1997, an impressive techno plant on a sprawling 2.5-hectare property in Paso de Blas,

Valenzuela was established. With the rise of a new plant came a major increase in production.
The company was capable of producing up to 100 metric tons of assorted meat products and
7,000 canned products per day. About a decade later, Foodsphere Inc. made a major leap with
the creation of its mega plant in Malvar, Batangas. The quick expansion of the company became
a testimony of its solidity as arising establishment.

All that Foodsphere has accomplished through the years are translated into direct, as well as
indirect benefits to its business partners and target customers. And because Foodsphere owes
much of its success to its stakeholders, the company is deeply committed to building more
entrepreneurs, and ultimately, to helping uplift the Philippine economy.
Foodsphere is a proud awardee of the Certificate of Accreditation by the National Meat
Inspection Commission for passing the standards of the International and Domestic Meat Trade
with an “AAA” mark. And in 2012, Foodsphere achieved yet another milestone with its ISO
certification. These, along with other awards and citations, speak of the company’s commitment
to the highest level of quality and excellence.
Cora D. Ong: A delicious success story
- Ida Anita Q. Del Mundo () - November 6, 2011 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - CDO founder Cora Ong’s office is lined with her collection of
mother and child paintings, plates, and figurines. Prominent also in her spacious office
are photos of her family.

“Women have the motherly instinct and charisma,” says Ong on the unique qualities
that women entrepreneurs bring to the workplace. An active member of the Women’s
Business Council, Ong adds, “Women are more approachable. My employees can
relate their problems to me, both personal and work-related.”

Originally a dietician, Ong says that her business started out of boredom. “I was taking
care of my eldest and second children,” she recalls. During this time, she took cooking
lessons where she learned to make skinless longganiza and siopao.
Ong then decided to combine the two and make more than the
usual asado and bola-bola siopao – she came up with siopao that
had longganiza filling. “It was a hit among friends and neighbors,” she says. With
this first unique product, Ong launched what would become a highly successful career
in the food business.

Eventually, Ong got tired of making siopaodough – “I was making everything by hand
then” – so she stopped making her famed longganiza-filled siopao, and added tocino to
her offerings, a product that CDO is still known for today.

“It was really like a ‘mom and pop’ business before,” Ong says of the beginnings
of CDO in 1975. Starting with only two helpers, Ong shares, “I was in the kitchen
cooking, buying the ingredients, and doing all the mixing myself.”

Even Ong’s husband, who was a teacher at the Ateneo, started helping out in the
small business. It was an unfortunate accident in 1977, where he cut his hand, that
made them seriously consider investing in manufacturing equipment. “In a way it
became a blessing,” says Ong of the accident. Concentrating on the business together,
they were able to further diversify their products.

With the support of her family, friends, and neighbors, Ong was able to grow the
business little by little. Always thinking of more innovations to offer, she was able to
apply her knowledge on nutrition, experimental cooking, and food technology to develop
new products.

“I never dreamt of having a business as big as this,” she says of her success. “It’s
because of luck, divine providence, and passion for what I do. I love my work.”

It was not an easy road to success, though. Ong says that her number one
problem, as in any start-up business, was capitalization. Another problem was
sourcing good quality materials and ingredients.

“During the Asian crisis, many companies suffered a lot,” she says, recalling another
problem that the company had to overcome. Because of financial constraints,
consumers started to be more cost-conscious. To address this, CDO started offering
smaller, more affordable, sizes of their products. By prevailing over the various
problems that have arisen through the years, Ong knows that the company has become
strong, well-established, and truly successful.

At the time she founded CDO, Ong recalls that there were not so many women
business executives. Now, she notes that women have really asserted themselves in
the business world, as well as in various other fields.

“I never saw a difference between men and women,” she says. “Women are very
much involved now and many are very successful in their own fields.”
From their first product to the selection that CDO presently offers in the market,
innovation is what Ong says sets the company apart from rest. “We don’t just do the
usual products. We make sure our products are of high quality, those that are new and
exciting in the market,” she adds, noting that they started the corned tuna trend in the
market.

Among the company’s successes, Ong says that CDO’s greatest achievement is its
growth. “It has expanded a lot and generated more employment and livelihood for the
community.” The company gives back further to the community through their foundation
that addresses the nutritional needs of impoverished children.

Being able to support the community is what truly motivates Ong to make the
business expand and grow. “When I see so many unemployed, and how
employees, who have families that depend on them, look up to you – that is what
motivates me,” she says with satisfaction.

Now semi-retired – her children, who are all involved in the family business, are set to
continue making the company flourish – Ong says, “I am not after the many awards
anymore at my age. I cherish the recognitions I have already received. They are a
legacy for my children and grandchildren.”

On her vision for the company’s future, she says, “I want to make more products that
are affordable and can be found on every Filipino table. I want to continue to innovate.”
She also hopes to bring CDO products to other countries.

“Love your work,” Ong says, revealing the secret to her success. “Enjoy what you
are doing. Focus on your project and be involved – be hands on. Have
perseverance and dedication.”

For those – men and women alike – who aspire to build companies like Ong’s, she
recommends attending the W2W conference on Nov. 8, an initiative of the Women’s
Business Council. “So many experienced speakers will be there to discuss different
topics,” she says. “It will be inspiring for both successful and aspiring entrepreneurs.”

We exist to provide TOTAL SATISFACTION to the FILIPINO

CONSUMERS through the development, manufacturing, and marketing of HIGH
QUALITY NUTRITIOUS FOOD PRODUCTS at REASONABLE PRICES.

We are committed to do this at all times through CONTINUOUS PRODUCT

DEVELOPMENT, TECHNOLOGICAL
ADVANCEMENT, ORGANIZATIONAL EFFICIENCY , and EXCELLENT
CUSTOMER SERVICE.
We shall continue to be a LEADING and GROWING company whose products
shall be present in every household.

WEBSITE
http://www.cdo.com.ph/

COMPANY SIZE
2001 - 5000 Employees

BENEFITS
Miscellaneous allowance, Loans, Car Plan with gas allowance (managerial level), Performance
Bonus, Medical, Education support, Dental
DRESS CODE
Company Uniform

SPOKEN LANGUAGE
Tagalog/Filipino

WORK HOURS
shifting schedule for manufacturing; compressed work schedule for office-based

CONTACT NUMBER
5885900

AVERAGE PROCESSING TIME

25 days
THE MEAT OF THE STORY

Foodsphere’s remarkable growth from an aspiring small-scale industry to a competitive

mega-enterprise was powered by the vision of dietitian and enterprising housewife
Corazon Dayro-Ong: “To be able to provide the most number of people with the highest
quality products at the most affordable prices.” She set out to fulfill this dream when
she started selling homemade meat products by knocking on doors of neighbors and
friends. Soon, the succulence of her tocino and longaniza gained popularity through
word of mouth and orders started to pour in faster than she could prepare them.

To augment the increasing demand, Mrs. Ong put up CDO Food Products, a small meat
processing plant, on the family residential lot in Marulas, Valenzuela. The factory began
operating with a meager capital of P100,000 and churned no more than 150 kilos in
production daily.

A year later, CDO saw the inclusion of hams, bacons, and sausages among its new
product lines. And in 1981, Foodsphere, Inc. was established as the company that
produces the CDO brand of processed meat. It operated with an authorized capital
stock of one million pesos and had the Ong family members at the helm as its major
stockholders and key officers.

In 1989, Foodsphere acquired a massive 5,000 square meter land along expressway in
Canumay, Valenzuela. The new plant is capable of producing up to 30,000kgs of
assorted meat products daily.
In 1997, the establishment of an impressive technoplant that sits on a sprawling 2.5
hectare property in Paso de Blas, Valenzuela became a solid testimony to the
continuing growth of Foodsphere. At this time, the company is capable of producing up
to 100 metric tons of assorted meat products and 7,000 canned products per day.

And in 2008, Foodsphere has made a major leap with the establishment of its mega
plant in Malvar, Batangas.

Foodsphere is a proud awardee of the Certificate of Accreditation by the National Meat

Inspection Commission for passing the standards of the International and Domestic
Meat Trade with a “AAA” mark. And in 2012, Foodsphere has achieved another
milestone with its ISO certification. These, along with other awards and citations, speak
of the company’s commitment to the highest level of quality and excellence.

Headquarters
560 West Service Road, Paso de Blas , Valenzuela City
Valenzuela; National Capital Region;Map
Postal Code: 1442

Tel: (02) 294-1111

Corazon D. Ong: The Woman Behind the Success of CDO Foodsphere Inc.
Unrelenting passion and the need for financial betterment, is what drove the young
Corazon D. Ong to establish his business empire. With the right amount of knowledge,
skills, and liking for what she does, Corazon rose from a simple homemaker to a very
successful businesswoman. Let us look at how she managed to flip the tables around!
Corazon D. Ong, was a simple homemaker then; a good wife to his husband Jose who is a
professor at the very prestigious Ateneo de Manila University, and a loving mother to his three
kids – Jerome, Jason & Sharmaine. Aside from that, she is also a licensed dietician. So, what she
did then, as part of her daily routine is to prepare food for the fami8ly. Being a dietician, she
keeps in mind the significance of a balanced healthy meal to the body, so to make sure that her
family will be getting the best meals, she prepares them herself. Little did she knew, that this
hobby of her will be the root of their success.

As mentioned, the production of food started out as a hobby. She prepares them tocino,
longganisa, and other easy-to-make processed food. It was initially for the family only, but she
noticed that many moms in their neighborhood also likes these products, she started to sell out.
She saw the need of these moms to prepare a quick-fix yet healthy lunch for their kids, so to help
them she started retailing small amounts of these products. It was highly praised, and Corazon
received a lot of positive feedbacks. So, what she did was, borrow from a local bank a total
amount of P60, 000 to put up an official business. It was in June 25, 1975 when she established
CDO Food Products at the backyard of their humble home. The first product they released was
longganisa and tocino among others.

In 1981, Foodsphere Inc. was duly registered and CDO was retained as the flagship name of its
food products. Innovations and modernizations followed to ran after the growing industry. The
company was converted into a family corporation. Her whole family worked together to make
the business more successful. However, tragedies cannot be avoided. It was in 1987 when a fire
broke out in the company’s processing area, destroying most of their advanced processing
equipments. It was one of the incidents that really challenged the faith and dedication of
Corazon. But she stood above it, nevertheless. Two days after the fire, Corazon called her staff to
plan about what they will be doing next. Because of that, CDO Foodsphere Inc., was again back
on its feet to serve the Filipino people.

Bouncing back from that, CDO became even more eager to expand their products horizon. From
then on, different innovations of products were continuously being researched to satisfy the
palates of the consumers especially Filipinos. From Longanizas to tocino, hotdogs and many
others, the company tried to develop more and more products to cater the masses based on their
consumption. In 2001, the company introduced carne norte which suited the Filipino taste at a
very reasonable price and another innovation in the industry. CDO-Foodsphere has emerged as
the number one producer of carne norte in the land. She was also the brain behind the San
Marino Corned Tuna, which is now a hit in the market. CDO Foodsphere has established its
success based on the needs of the consumers. Ong’s core vision came to reality that is to provide
affordable food products to the most number of Filipino households.

Looking back, who would have thought that a simple desire to give the best meals to the family
would became a very profitable and successful business? Yes, CDO’s Corazon really proved that
there is more to being a simple homemaker. Because of her successes, he has received a lot of
awards in her field of interest. These are: Most Outstanding Nutritionist of the Year in 1996,
Agora Awardee for the Most Outstanding Medium-Scale Entrepreneur in 1997, Most
Outstanding Professional in the Field of Dietetics in 1999, Most Outstanding Woman in
Valenzuela in 2006, and Woman Entrepreneur Award in 2009. But above all these achievements,
her most satisfying award is the way he has brought up their children.

Her son Jerome is now the corporate Vice-President who has a degree in Economics from the
University of the Philippines; Jason, is now a nutritionist and head of the research department;
and their only daughter, Sharmaine, a licensed physician but joined the family business as the
one handling the financial aspect. This is what she considers her life’s best blessings.

CORAZON DAYRO-ONG
Corazon Dayro Ong is the founder of the meat-processing company CDOFoodsphere, Inc.Ong is a
dietician by profession and has been awarded MostOutstanding Dietitian Award by the Nutritionists-
Dietitians Association of the Philippines.She was also awarded the 2009 Woman Entrepreneur of the
Year by Ernst and Young.Ong started out as a dietitian in Manila Central University in the 1970s.
Shemarried Jose, a professor at the Ateneo de Manila University who gave her three children.Jerome,
the corporate vice-president who has a degree in Economics from the Universityof the
Philippines; Jason, a nutritionist and head of the research department; and their onlydaughter,
Sharmaine, licensed physician but joined the family business as the onehandling the financial
aspect. After she got married, Ong decided to quit her job as dietitian in a hospital
to takecare of her children. At that time she was only preparng
baon
for her family. But thesesnacks turned out to be a favorite in the neighborhood. Eventually, Ong turned
this hobbyinto a business.
The company was founded on the June 25, 1975 at the backyard of the Ongs’
house in Valenzuelaas a processing area. It was initially registered as CDO FoodProducts, having a
capital of P60,000 loaned from a local bank. Ong and her family beganthe operation with longaniza
and tocino as their front liners.In 1981, Foodsphere Inc. was duly registered and CDO was retained as
theflagship name of its food products. Innovations and modernizations followed to ran afterthe growing
industry. The company was converted into a family corporation.
Corazon Dayro Ong, Baon, CDO Foodsphere
NOVEMBER 1, 2017 ~ VIVIFYCHANGECATALYST

“Women are more approachable. My employees can relate their problems to me,
both personal and work-related.”
-Corazon Ong

Corazon Ong an alumna of FEU Institute of Education (she graduated in 1964) with
the degree in Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition, was preparing baon (
food for school tiffin) for her children, her recipes were appreciated by
her friends and relatives. Encouraged by this response she decided to sell her dishes,
she started her venture with two helpers and with her backyard as factory.

“It was really like a ‘mom and pop’ business before…I was in the kitchen cooking,
buying the ingredients, and doing all the mixing myself.”
-Corazon Ong

Initially she started selling longanizas and tocino, her specialty was siopao with
longanizas fillings. All her products were well received. Encouraged by response she
took loan from bank and started her own company called CDO Foodsphere.

Initially she stared selling longaniza and tocino. Later she expanded her profile by
adding tapa, cheesedogs, bacon, chorizo, ham, sausages etc.
“I want to make more products that are affordable and can be found on every
Filipino table. I want to continue to innovate.”
-Corazon Ong
She also brought innovation like corned tuna in market and introduced corned beef-
carne norte.

“Love your work, Enjoy what you are doing. Focus on your project and be involved
– be hands on. Have perseverance and dedication.”
-Corazon on secrets of success
From a dietitian who started company with two helpers, Corazon today is
entrepreneur employing 3000+ people.

CDO Foodsphere, Inc. produces food products. It offers hotdogs, cheese dogs, hams, bacons,
hamburger patties, breaded and bottled products, frozen and canned corned meat, and other products.
The company also offers bread fillings, breakfast items, burgers and sandwiches, dairy products, pizza
toppings, marine products, sausages, sweet preserves, and ready-to-use products. The company offers
its products under the CDO and San Marino tuna brand names. In addition, the company offers services
in the areas of total account management, product development, marketing support, menu improvement
and cost analysis, quality assurance, and food safety training and consultancy. It serves institutional
markets, fast food chains, restaurants, convenience stores, commissaries, companies, and others. The
company offers its products through its food stores. The company was founded in 1975 and is based in
Valenzuela, the Philippines.
Q&A with Jerome Ong, President of CDO
Foodsphere Inc. on New Market Space

Q1: CDO has become an aggressive force in the food industry. You have, in fact, launched
the first canned corned tuna in the industry. What was the idea behind the product?
The idea came about by thinking of the personal thing disliked most about the main competitor’s flakes in
oil product, which is “in oil”. Canned products should be filled with contents to be processed well and oil
is normally used to fill it up. During a workshop sometime March 2009, the corned tuna idea came out
instantaneously with our “think out of the box” battle cry. The idea was shared with the R&D head who
responded that it was not possible. But as we agreed during the workshop “don’t kill the idea”, they
proceeded with experiments and came out with a prototype. When we tasted it, we all liked it the first
time.
Q2: What are the important lessons you learned in entering a new food segment dominated
by another brand?
Our main competitor not only dominated the market, they had almost the whole market then (at 99.4%)
with 4 different brands for several years. The 0.6% was shared by many other companies. Not only that,
their main brand with more than 30 years of market leadership has gained very high brand equity. It was
easy for them to ask for exclusivity in many supermarkets, which is the main trade segment of healthy
products. These made it seem impossible for any new brand to enter. Three previous launches of other
companies failed. Even our biggest competitor in our core business dared not re-enter the tuna market.
The most important lesson is that if you believe in your product, there is always a way in – the impossible
becomes possible. Make sure you have enough resources and an organization to support the idea. A
good marketing plan will not work without the whole company planning for it.
Q3. What are the advantages of a family-owned enterprise in terms of opportunity-seeking
and countering threats in the market place?
One advantage of being family-owned is that entrepreneurship still thrives despite having professionals
run the company. Moreover, opportunities are grabbed faster. It took us only 4 months from idea to our
first shipment and then launch of San Marino corned tuna to our distributors. We had to look for fish
supply, modify our equipment, increase production capacity, and come out with a new brand and
marketing campaign in a short period of time. What’s more, all these were not part of our annual plan.
We are flexible to shift plans easily when needed.
Being family-owned also makes us faster in responding to threats. We had to launch our TVC campaign
on 09-09-09 earlier than planned, upon learning the competitor tried to pre-empt our entry. They actually
launched 2 new brands of corned tuna. One brand was launched in media just 11 days after our break
date. The biggest threat was being locked out by our main competitor in both big and small
supermarkets, which made our placement level very low. Worse, it blocked consumers from trying San
Marino, and diverted trial to their brands of corned tuna. We were able to immediately adjust our plans
and put in more resources to address the threat of potential failure.

FEU alumna champions social entrepreneurship

Posted on February 10, 2014
Ms. Corazon Dayro-Ong (CDO) is a graduate of the FEU Institute of Education in 1964 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in
Food and Nutrition.

Ms. Corazon Dayro-Ong, owner and founder of meat-processing company, CDO Foodsphere, Inc., was one of the
guest speakers during the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Launch and Forum on Social Entrepreneurship held
on November 25, 2013 at the FEU Mini-Auditorium. This event was in partnership with the Philippine Center for
Entrepreneurship’s Go NeGosyo, British Embassy Manila, and FEU Alumni Relations and Placement Services.
Ms. Dayco-Ong highlighted important points on the role of social entrepreneurship in community building, its impact
in uplifting the lives of people, and its connection to responsible citizenship. She shared with the 200 participants –
students and faculty advisers from participating colleges and universities – the CDO framework on “food that
nourishes life.” She introduced the company’s social responsibility arm, Odyssey Foundation, Inc., which serves as
the catalyst for social development and formally continues providing individuals hope through aid and assistance. It
focuses on child nourishment, childcare and education, livelihood and enhancement, and health and nutritional
advocacy.

Ms. Corazon Dayro-Ong is an alumna of FEU Institute of Education and graduated in 1964 with the degree in Bachelor
of Science in Food and Nutrition. The GEW not only served as a platform for engaging and inspiring the general
audience about social entrepreneurship, but also provided an occasion to warmly welcome a fellow tamarraw.

With Ms. Dayco-Ong’s vision and leadership, the Consumers Union of the Philippines voted CDO as the most
outstanding meat-processing company in the country from 1999-2003. She was also conferred with various awards
and citations like Most Outstanding Nutritionist of the Year award and Outstanding Medium-Scale Entrepreneur by
the Philippine Marketing Association Agora Awards (1996). She was one one of the Most Outstanding Women of
Valenzuela City (2006), Entrepreneur Mom-Working Mom (2007), and Woman Entrepreneur of 2009 by Ernst &
Young. She has lived up to her dream of serving the Filipino consumers “with affordable, quality food products.”

GEW aims to educate the participants on the general perspective of entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship in
Philippine and international contexts. Philip Tulba, Director/Vice-Chairman of Adrenaline Alley in London and
Independent Social Enterprise Consultant, shared the UK social entrepreneurship experience/model.

This event is part of Alumni Relations and Placement Services’ KITS (Knowledge and Influence through Teach-
Share) Program to showcase FEU alumni as mentors, lecturers or resource persons through fora, group sessions,
seminars, or conferences.
Around 200 guests participated in the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Launch and Forum on Social Entrepreneurship.
 Corazon D. Ong-
CDO Foodsphere,Inc.

Corazon D. Ong

Corazon D. Ong is a dietitian by profession who used her knowledge to create

affordable processed meat products that could compete with the already well known
and established processed meat brands. Initially, it was only a hobby where she could
put to good use her creativity and skill in culinary arts. She came up with corned beef,
hotdogs, meatloaf, hamburger patties and ham, an entity that she later sold as a home
business.
She founded CDO Foodsphere in 1975; as the product’s reputation for affordable
quality became widespread, the demand for CDO products likewise increased. The
creative homemaker understood every mother’s need for quick lunch fixes for their
children but convenience should also come in affordable packages. Corazon likewise
understood the taste preferences of Filipino children but her knowledge of ingredients
and their nutritional values gave her product the advantage.
Today, CDO Foodsphere is a highly-recognized supplier of meat toppings for Yum!
Restaurant International, a known operator of global Quick Service
Restaurants (QSR) , which includes Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell and Long John Silver .
Locally, CDO supplies the meat toppings to nine out of ten QSRs operating in the
Philippines. The clamor for CDO products stems from numerous awards and
recognitions that the processed meat products have received, owing to their quality
and excellence.

CDO’s ascent from a mom-and-

pop business
By

BusinessMirror

June 23, 2015

In Photo: Food specialists, like the woman in the photo, make sure the quality of CDO
products are at par with global standards.

CORAZON DAYRO ONG, the entrepreneur behind Foodsphere Inc., manufacturer of

CDO food products, recalls that, 40 years ago, she and her husband Jose “Pepe” Ong
started a kitchen-based “mom-and-pop” enterprise, producing siopao with longganisa
filling, as well as longganisa and tocino variants.

Today, Foodsphere is a major food company that manufactures and distributes a wide
selection of food products under popular brands CDO, Bibbo, Holiday, San Marino,
Highlands and Danes. The company marks its 40 years in business on June 25.

“As we celebrate this important milestone, I can’t help but be nostalgic and remember
how my husband Pepe and I started this business. It was a modest beginning—a modest
but important beginning…four decades has passed and with all humility…what started as
a home business has now grown big and successful,” Corazon says during a party hosted
by the company for its business partners at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on
June 16.

“As I look back at the past 40 years with all of you, my heart overflows with gratitude.
There’s no better way of celebrating this than expressing our sincerest appreciation to
everyone who has been an important part of this journey,” she says.

“Thank you for believing in my dream. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to
pursue my passion,” she says.

Foodsphere, which was established in 1975, marks 2015 as another milestone by paying
tribute and recognition to employees, trade partners, suppliers and the millions of
Filipino consumers for believing in its products and for making CDO a household name.
CDO-Foodsphere grew to become the country’s top food company, employing over
3,000 Filipinos in state-of-the-art factories that produce high-quality products under
popular brands CDO, Bibbo, Holiday, San Marino, Highlands and Danes.

Corazon, a nutritionist-dietitian, and her husband started the company at their home in
Valenzuela City, which became the production, warehouse and distribution area.

The couple’s production area was a makeshift kitchen while their dining area served as
the research and development and quality assurance offices. The warehouse and
distribution center was their garage. They produced and distributed siopao with a
longganisa filling, longganisa and tocino products, which were patronized by neighbors
and friends.

With a P60,000 loan from a rural bank, the couple registered the company as CDO Food
Products on June 25, 1975. In 1981 the company was registered as Foodsphere Inc. and
CDO became the flagship brand.

In 1985 a wide array of products were developed under the CDO brand, ranging from
tocino, tapa, cheesedogs, bacon, chorizo, hams and sausages.

By 1990 Foodsphere built its first modern manufacturing plant in Valenzuela City in
preparation for massive production and nationwide distribution.

In its quest to become a nationally known brand, the company aired the first CDO
television commercial in 1995 to increase brand awareness and to reach more consumers.

As the demand for its products expanded, Foodsphere inaugurated its second factory in
1998, a new technoplant in Valenzuela City with a capacity of 100,000 kilos a day. It also
entered the canned corned beef business and was the first company to popularize Karne
Norte in 100-gram cans.

In 2004 Foodsphere established Odyssey Foundation Inc. as its corporate social

responsibility (CSR) arm to help the underprivileged members of society by
administering supplemental feeding and livelihood programs in impoverished
communities. Foodsphere launched Bibbo! Cheesedog in 2005, signaling the company’s
thrust to become a key player in the premium hotdog segment.

In 2009 the company inaugurated the new megaplant in Malvar, Batangas, to support the
expansion of its hotdog business and the introduction of marine products. The plant
features state-of-the-art facilities to provide higher
efficiency output to produce world-class products. Foodsphere entered into the local
canned tuna business which used to be controlled 99 percent by one industry player, by
launching San Marino Corned Tuna. The brand has increased its market share by offering
consumers with a wider choice of tuna products.
In 2011 Foodsphere launched Highlands Corned Beef as its entry into the premium
corned beef segment. Highlands is a brand that is made with Angus Beef.

The company was awarded ISO 22000: 2005 Food Safety Management System
certification in 2011, ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System certification in 2012
and FSSC 22000:2010 Food Safety System certification in 2013.

Foodsphere is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2015. From a “mom-and-pop” business

in 1975, Foodsphere has grown to become an innovative and reliable food company,
which produces high-quality products within the reach of Filipino consumers.

From a makeshift kitchen with two employees, Foodsphere now employs more than
3,000 Filipinos in two manufacturing plant, several provincial branch offices, warehouse,
factory stores and in the different supermarkets and groceries nationwide.

“We could not be where we are today without you. Because of you, what started as a
dream became our company with a successful experience and commitment in providing
high-quality and nutritious food products at reasonable prices at all times,” Corazon says.