BUILDING A LEGACY. Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga rose the ranks in his 35 years in the company, engaging with external stakeholders to communicate the initiatives of the distribution utility. In photo (L-R) are Meralco vice president and head of facilities and safety management Jerry B. Lao, Meralco vice president and chief information security officer Marilene P. Tayag, Meralco head of distribution utility business development office Andrew Jason B. Tan, Meralco chief supply chain officer Maria Luisa V. Alvendia, Meralco senior vice president and head of human resources Edgardo V. Carasig, Meralco senior vice president and chief revenue officer Ferdinand O. Geluz, Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie L. Aperocho, Meralco senior vice president and chief audit executive Melanie T. Oteyza, Meralco first vice president and head of information, communication, technology & transformation Rocky D. Bacani, Meralco vice president and head of supply chain management Glen N. San Pedro, and Meralco first vice president and head of MPower Redel M. Domingo.
In a heartfelt ceremony reflecting its deep appreciation for its workforce, Manila Electric Company (Meralco), led by chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, celebrated the exceptional dedication of its long-serving employees.
These individuals have been pivotal in ensuring the company’s success, touching the lives of millions of Filipinos and illuminating homes, businesses, and communities for decades.
A tribute to commitment and sacrifice
Meralco honored 150 employees for their unwavering service:
- Five employees with 25 years of service,
- 27 employees with 30 years, and
- An impressive 118 employees have dedicated 35 years to the company.
These honorees, including front-line workers, engineers, and support staff, represent the backbone of Meralco. They have tirelessly contributed to delivering safe, reliable, and stable electricity, embodying the spirit of the company’s mission as “Tagapaghatid ng Liwanag” or Bearers of Light.
DEDICATION TO EXCELLENCE. Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie L.
Aperocho recognized all who served the company throughout the decades as the real bearers of light and hope to the communities being served.
Resilience through challenges
The honorees have stood firm through natural calamities like typhoons and floods and crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite extraordinary challenges, their resilience and commitment have sustained Meralco’s operations and growth.
“Our blessings and successes did not come by accident. These were made possible by the malasakit (compassion), sacrifice, loyalty, and hard work of the men and women of Meralco,” said Ronnie L. Aperocho, Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer.
“You are the true light of Meralco, the embodiment of hope and progress,” Aperocho added, expressing hope for continued blessings upon the employees. He recognized their efforts as transformative for the company and the countless lives they have impacted.
MERALCO’s AWARD-WINNING AND VETERAN COMMUNICATOR. Known to many as Manong Joe, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga has established himself as a household name and the trusted spokesman of the distribution utility for his 35 years of service to the company.
A legacy of loyalty
Among the honorees was Joe R. Zaldarriaga, Meralco’s vice president and head of corporate communications, who marked 35 years of service. Representing this year’s awardees, Zaldarriaga proudly spoke about his journey at Meralco.
“To be counted among those who have served Meralco with unwavering loyalty—dedicating ourselves to our customers, communities, and country—is an honor I will treasure all my life,” he said. “It is deeply fulfilling to have contributed to the company’s legacy and worked alongside remarkable individuals who share the same vision.”
Zaldarriaga also paid tribute to Pangilinan’s leadership, which he described as a guiding force for the company’s sustained success and innovation.
A history of transformation
The event also highlighted Meralco’s evolution from a modest utility company into a leading energy provider in the Philippines. Over the years, the company has continuously adapted, embraced innovation, and implemented programs and services that meet its customers’ and stakeholders’ growing and changing needs.
“Meralco will not only endure but thrive,” Zaldarriaga said, expressing confidence in the company’s future under its visionary leadership. “With a strong foundation and dedicated employees, Meralco’s legacy of excellence will continue for generations to come.”
LIGHT BEARERS. Meralco honors the dedication of the awardees who have served and contributed to
building a brighter and better future.
The lifeblood of progress
Meralco recognizes that its employees are more than contributors; they are the lifeblood of its success. These long-serving individuals have driven the company to achieve milestones that benefit Filipino communities through their dedication, innovation, and passion.
As Meralco moves forward, the legacy of its employees—the true Bearers of Light—will remain a beacon for continued progress, ensuring the company remains a trusted partner in illuminating the nation for many more decades.