On February 27, 2025 at Ayala Museum, Ayala Foundation, Inc. and the Big E Food Corporation launched a landmark partnership to celebrate Lemon Square’s 40th Anniversary.
Big E Food Corporation, more belovedly known as Lemon Square, is giving back to the community through inspiring stories, familiar comforting recipes, and by supporting Ayala Foundation programs in Leadership, Education, and Corporate Citizenship.
The ceremonial MOA signing was attended by key Big E officials including Founder and Chairman Ernesto L. Vergel de Dios, Head of Corporate Strategy and Planning Office Enrique Jose ‘EJ’ Vergel de Dios, other members of the Vergel de Dios family, and the Management Team headed by General Manager Reynaldo Bondoc. Ayala Foundation was represented by Chief Financial Officer Felipe Antonio P. Estrella III, Senior Director for Marketing and External Relations Paul Vincent S. Mercado, and Senior Director for Development Programs Emil Francis ‘Jay’ de Quiros.
As a family corporation, Big E is known for its real goodness baked goods found in every Filipino home. Marking its 40th year of baking wholesome goodness. EJ Vergel de Dios, family member and Head of Corporate Strategy and Planning Office talked about legacy, describing it as a “positive combination of what you’ll leave behind and how you acted while you were here.” He noted, “In the past decade, the family has started growing into a stewardship mindset – the understanding that we are only here for a limited time, so we should make it meaningful.”
This ‘meaningful’ impact has translated into Lemon Square’s advocacies for education, sustainability and nutrition. As the social development arm of the Ayala Group of Companies, Ayala Foundation shares these advocacies, making this partnership an ideal marriage.
Paul Mercado discussed the programs that the Foundation would implement in 2025 thanks to Lemon Square’s support:
“This year, 40 elementary schools around the country will receive reading materials in support of DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela. Six elementary public schools will have the opportunity to visit Ayala Museum to ignite their curiosity, make history lessons vividly real for students, forge tangible connections with the past and enhance their understanding and appreciation of history. And 10 deserving female college students will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change their lives for the better through the U-Go Scholar Grant.”
Through this partnership, Lemon Square and Ayala Foundation aim to ‘pay it forward’ by sharing stories of real goodness and giving back to the community in a year-long celebration. Be on the lookout for the exciting engagements planned in the next few months and help perpetuate a cycle of generosity by becoming a part of the legacy.