Insider Spotlight
The company’s International Women’s Day campaign, “HERstory: The Women Who Make Things Happen,” showcases women working from laboratory research and veterinary science to marketing leadership and farm entrepreneurship.
Why it matters
Food and agribusiness remain sectors where leadership roles have historically been male-dominated.
Aboitiz Foods says empowering women across the value chain—from feed production to farming—helps strengthen innovation, resilience, and long-term food security in Asia.
Strategic leadership
At the helm of the Philippine agribusiness segment is Norie Bermudez, first vice president and country director for Agribusiness Philippines.
With nearly three decades at Pilmico Foods Corp., Bermudez leads teams across generations while connecting corporate strategy with the realities faced by farmers.
“In business, there are only two options: to grow or to die. I choose to grow—not by being the toughest person in the room, but by being the most relatable and the most willing to evolve,” Bermudez said in a press statement.
“I commit to empowering more women in agriculture, to creating meaningful impact, and to feeding communities from mill to meal,” she added.
Driving science
Women scientists also play a central role in protecting food integrity.
Sahera Nofyangtri, assistant vice president for nutrition and research at PT Gold Coin Indonesia, leads work ensuring feed quality and safety through rigorous scientific processes.
“For me, innovation is not about ‘noble’ scientific theories, but about speed, boldness, and thoroughness in identifying gaps before applying the theory,” Nofyangtri said.
“In this industry, a woman’s skill in multitasking, attention to detail, and strong intuition allows for a broader perspective. Empowering women in agriculture means empowering the future of food,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Emiechelle Rivera, veterinary services and training specialist at Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation, focuses on disease prevention and biosecurity programs for farms.
“Don’t be afraid to step into spaces that challenge you. In field veterinary work, you aren't just solving animal health concerns; you are sustaining livelihoods and protecting the food supply for entire communities,” she said.
On the ground
The impact extends beyond corporate roles. Tarlac-based agripreneur Marilou Capiendo has worked with Pilmico for 15 years, turning duck farming into a livelihood that supports small resellers in her community.
“Para sa akin, ang tagumpay ay iyong nakakatulong ka rin sa mga kagaya mong nagne-negosyo o gustong magnegosyo. Nakakatulong ako sa mga kapwa kong kababaihan na bigyan sila ng paninda. Nakikita nila na kung nakaya naming mag-negosyo, kaya rin nila,” Capiendo said.
(For me, success means being able to help others like me who are running businesses or want to start one. I help fellow women by providing them with products to sell. They see that if we were able to start a business, they can do it too.)
The bottom line
Through the HERstory campaign, Aboitiz Foods underscores how women leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs are helping sustain Asia’s food ecosystem—from mill to meal. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
