As McDonald’s Philippines celebrates 45 years of creating feel-good moments for Filipinos, the company has added another milestone to its legacy—taking home three of the most prestigious honors at the 20th Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards. Its flagship education advocacy, Feed the Mind, was named Corporate Program of the Decade, while Chairman and Founder Dr. George T. Yang received the Lifetime Achievement Award and Managing Director Margot Torres was recognized as Business Leader of the Decade.
The recognition is particularly significant as the Decade Awards were introduced as part of the Tambuli Awards’ 20th anniversary celebration to honor organizations, programs, and leaders whose contributions have created lasting impact in business, society, and nation-building over the past decade.
Empowering Millions Through Education
At the heart of McDonald’s Philippines’ purpose-driven initiatives is Feed the Mind, a long-running platform that champions accessible and inclusive education for Filipino learners.
More than a corporate social responsibility program, Feed the Mind has become a nationwide movement that addresses educational gaps at different stages of a child’s learning journey. Through a portfolio of initiatives, the program has positively impacted millions of students and educators across the country.
One of its cornerstone initiatives is the Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Learning Center, implemented by Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Philippines. The program addresses the lack of daycare facilities in thousands of barangays by providing children aged two to four with safe and nurturing spaces where they can learn, play, and develop foundational skills while their parents work.
To date, McDonald’s Philippines and RMHC have established 57 learning centers nationwide, helping bridge early childhood education gaps in underserved communities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, McDonald’s Philippines further expanded its commitment to learning by launching McDonald’s Classroom, which transformed unused restaurant party rooms into conducive spaces for online classes. As face-to-face learning resumed, the initiative evolved into Night Classroom, offering students a comfortable and accessible place to study after school hours.
The company’s commitment to education also embraces sustainability through ReClassified, a program that repurposes furniture from renovated McDonald’s stores into classroom essentials such as tables, chairs, and bookshelves for public schools—giving old materials a new purpose in shaping young minds.
Collectively, McDonald’s and RMHC Philippines’ education initiatives have benefited more than 13.2 million students, supported over 30,000 teachers, and reached approximately 14,500 schools nationwide.
Leadership Built on Purpose
The Tambuli Awards also honored the visionary leadership that has shaped McDonald’s Philippines into one of the country’s most respected and purpose-driven brands.
Chairman and Founder Dr. George T. Yang received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring contribution to Philippine business and his steadfast belief that companies can drive meaningful social impact alongside commercial success.
Since introducing McDonald’s to the Philippines in 1981, Dr. Yang has championed a people-first approach to business—investing in Filipino talent and creating opportunities for generations of workers. Today, McDonald’s Philippines operates more than 860 stores nationwide and provides employment to around 75,000 people, many of whom are working students supported through flexible work arrangements that allow them to pursue their education while building valuable work experience.
“Thank you very much for this special Tambuli Award,” said Dr. Yang. “This award actually should go not to me, but to all the people who are involved in my organization. I continue to believe that business, if done right, can be a force for good.”
His recognition comes at a fitting moment as McDonald’s Philippines marks its 45th anniversary—a testament to the values of opportunity, inclusion, and service that have guided the company since its founding.
Driving Innovation and Growth
Managing Director Margot Torres was named Business Leader of the Decade for her transformative leadership in elevating McDonald’s Philippines into one of the country’s most innovative and culturally relevant brands.
Since joining the company in 2003 and assuming the role of Managing Director in 2018, Torres has played a pivotal role in accelerating the brand’s growth through digital transformation, customer-centric innovation, and creative excellence.
Working alongside President and CEO Kenneth S. Yang, she helped establish digital platforms as key drivers of business growth by pioneering online and mobile ordering solutions and strengthening the company’s omnichannel ecosystem. Under her leadership, McDonald’s Philippines has expanded its nationwide footprint while remaining deeply connected to Filipino consumers.
Beyond business achievements, Torres has championed talent development within McDonald’s and the broader marketing industry, mentoring future leaders and advancing purposeful brand-building practices.
Her leadership also extended beyond corporate walls during the pandemic, when she served as communications lead for Task Force T3 and helped spearhead the Ingat Angat campaign that mobilized private sector support for economic recovery and vaccine confidence-building efforts.
For Torres, the latest Tambuli recognition is especially meaningful. Fifteen years after receiving the inaugural Chief Marketing Officer of the Year award in 2011, she is now being honored for a decade of leadership that has created impact beyond business metrics.
Purpose Beyond Campaigns
The Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards has evolved from recognizing purpose-driven campaigns to celebrating organizations that consistently create meaningful impact for society, communities, and the planet.
For McDonald’s Philippines, the recognition underscores its belief that purpose is not confined to marketing campaigns but is embedded in everyday business decisions—from empowering working students and supporting education to fostering inclusive growth and sustainable practices.
“Tambuli now celebrates companies who stay committed to the right values and brand purpose across the entire operations, and that means doing good every day, even without a case study about what you do,” Torres said.
Adding to its major wins, McDonald’s Philippines also received Bronze awards for Two-Minute Drive-Thru Guarantee and McDo Math under the Masters of Everyday Purpose – Delivering Brand Promise category, as well as Lighting the Way for Every Working Student: A Workplace Designed to Unlock Their Best Self under the Leadership for Sustainability and Corporate Purpose – Inclusive Growth category.
As it celebrates 45 years in the Philippines, McDonald’s continues to prove that lasting success is built not only on serving great food, but also on creating opportunities, investing in communities, and making purpose an everyday practice.