Century Pacific Food, Inc. (PSE:CNPF) and Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. (SPAVI | PSE:PIZZA) were recently recognized for good corporate governance at the 2025 Golden Arrow Awards by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). Both companies garnered two Golden Arrows each.
CNPF and SPAVI are both majority-owned by Century Pacific Group, a Philippine-based consumer-focused group playing in the food and beverage space and green developments. CNPF is one of the leading food companies in the country, home to household names such as Century Tuna, 555, Ligo, and Birch Tree Fortified, among others. Meanwhile, SPAVI is a leading player in the food service industry, with number one brands such as Shakey’s and Potato Corner in full service and kiosk chains, respectively.
Chris Po, CNPF Executive Chairman and SPAVI Chairman shared, “As a publicly-listed company entrusted with our investors’ capital, we are deeply honored and humbled by this recognition. It strengthens our resolve to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance, protecting shareholder rights, building strong and transparent institutions, and doing our part to support a thriving capital market for our country.”
Founded on the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS), the Golden Arrows promote the rights and equitable treatment of shareholders, the role of stakeholders, transparency, and the responsibilities of the board.
Both companies attribute this recognition to the strength and professionalism of their governing bodies, their board of directors and management teams. CNPF and SPAVI each benefit from a diverse, multidisciplinary, and highly engaged set of independent directors who provide objective oversight, strategic guidance, and accountability at the highest level. Their expertise spans finance, capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, commodities, sustainability, business and brand strategy, and industry operations, helping ensure disciplined decision-making and long-term value creation.
At the SPAVI Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held earlier this year, shareholders elected Gina Lorenzana and Kristine Romano as new Independent Directors. Lorenzana brings 27 years of global leadership experience under Unilever, with profitable business turnarounds and purposeful brand-building expertise. Romano joins the board with extensive advisory experience from her tenure at distinguished managing consultancy firm, McKinsey & Company, where she served as a Managing Partner, the first
Filipina to be elected partner. Her expertise spans digital transformation, financial services, and business strategy.
Governance also anchors the Group’s sustainability agenda. Across both companies, the Boards play an active role in overseeing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities, from responsible sourcing and climate resilience to consumer welfare, talent development, and inclusive growth. This integrated approach reinforces the Group’s commitment to delivering affordable, high-quality products while uplifting the communities and value chains they touch.
Among these initiatives is CNPF’s Sustenido Bulan, a holistic sourcing program promoting sustainable sardine fishing practices in Bulan, Sorsogon. The program has been engaging hundreds of fisherfolk since 2023, helping them improve fish quality, reduce waste, and boost their incomes. The Group also supports the community through RSPo Foundation’s flagship school-based feeding program, Kain Po. More recently, CNPF partnered with impact organization HOPE to build a school for the community and with TESDA to provide vocational skills training to fisherfolk wives to help augment their income.
Meanwhile, SPAVI continues to promote inclusive hiring, partnering with local government units to provide job opportunities to senior citizens and differently-abled individuals. The company also has a landmark program, Love ‘Em Down, in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, opening opportunities for individuals with Down Syndrome to learn and earn.
Vic Gregorio, SPAVI President and CEO, said, “We are honored by this recognition and even more motivated to keep strengthening our governance and sustainability practices as we scale our business. Our teams, franchise partners, and guests are at the heart of what we do. Thus, we remain committed to growing responsibly and creating value that lasts through our multi-brand portfolio both here and on international shores.”
