Prior to college graduation, I had a long list of things I want to accomplish and a list specifying companies I want to work for. In that list you can find Cola-cola. This dream was partially influenced by three things/events during college:
(1) An assignment that prompted us to visit Coca-cola's local bottling plant in Cebu
(2) Their awe-inspiring advertisement (Open Happiness and Taste the Feeling)
(3) My brother-in-law working at Cola-cola as a Sales Executive
Enough of the backstories! 😅 Recently, I finally had the chance to visit Cola-cola's main plant in the Philippines. Through the annual event organized by the Philippine Institute of Supply Management (PISM) Manila, a half-day tour in Cola-cola's Laguna Plant took place. This plant tour was one of the main events in PISM Supply Chain Convention that year. Included in the Event Fee we paid was a return trip ride to Laguna. Pick-up point was in Ortigas Center which was conveniently located where I usually stay when I visit in Manila. Everything was perfect except the heavy rainfall and the heavy traffic that came with it.
As expected from a MNC like Cola-cola, their security was tight and strict; there were a couple of documents we need to fill in before we could go out of our serviced bus and into the guests receiving hall.
The welcomed us in a huge semi-open hall. We checked in through the registration committee right at the entrance of the massive hall.
At first glance, I knew they were more than ready for all the delegates. The receiving area looked like their canteen but with no one else but delegates from both PISM and Coca-cola that day. Sturdy red chairs where arranged in a classroom type with two (2) huge flatscreen TVs infront. These TVs where used to present things during the discussion.
I had to make a few trips to the comfort room which was a tucked away from another side of the building. I'm not complaining but rather grateful to explore the place I once dreamed of working at. I knew Coca-cola has a strong brand identity but when I got here, I was pleasantly surprised by the dedication to stick to this image. Everywhere I looked, I am reminded of what Coca-cola represents and strives for. You can say I'm jealous by their dedication, consistency in every single corner of their workplace. And this is not even the main office, just a random canteen-turned-to-guest-holding-area 😅
After the introductory discussion with some of the leads at their Sta. Rosa Plant, we went inside the main plant/production floor. Unfortunately, any type of documentation (video, audio, photos) wasn't allowed and our phones were left at the hall. It was surreal to see what's inside a Coca-cola Factory. I witnessed glass and plastic bottles, hundreds or even thousands of them, get filled up with the tasty, sparkling dark beverage everyone loves. The group who gave us a tour was kind enough to give us whatever information is necessary to learn more about Coca-cola's production flow. I think it took us roughly 2 hours to complete the onsite tour which ended at the massive warehouse of Coke's finished goods.
We returned to the holding area and they handed out snacks and water and some souvenirs or parting gifts from Coca-cola. It had been one of the best day of my working life; I finally fulfilled my long-time dream of exploring a Coca-cola Plant. I took my time but I made it!
Living life intentionally every single day, she believes that there’s no limit to one’s potential. Right now, she’s on the loose for the pursuit of endless holistic self-growth and development. She wants to light the way for others. She believes there’s no better way to leave a legacy than to pay it forward.
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My niece works for coca cola in the UK and she often brings back a lot of free drinks and freebies, her mum, my sister doesn't drink them so we get to be the beneficiary!
That's awesome, Pauline! Ironically, I don't drink Coke, too! 😅 But I could imagine the excitement of receiving random Coke-related items from your niece! Must be nice! 😁