The story goes that Mrs. Lolita O. Hizon neighbor, a meat vendor, had some unsold pork at the end of a market day and, not wanting to let these spoil, asked Mrs. Hizon’s help in cooking them. Mrs. Hizon came up with a formula to cure the meat; she revised the traditional Capampangan pindang (fermented pork), causing the pork to acquire the unique salty – sweet taste that we have all come to love. She called it “Tocino”, derived from a Spanish delicacy that is sweet. Eventually, she refined the formula and the processing procedures that caused the birth of Pampanga’s Best Tocino – The Original version of what has now become a national favorite. So, what started out as just a neighborly gesture to help a friend has turned out to be the cornerstone of a business and a staple item in the Filipino breakfast table.

When Mrs. Lolita O. Hizon, is asked what she thinks is the secret behind her success she says, It’s love and compassion; and I believe it is more of a divine plan. All these years, I see a visible hand guiding us always for a purpose. I would say it is Divine Providence – that is the secret.

Today, Pampanga’s Best, Inc. is a multi-million meat processing corporation, operated and owned by the couple, Mr. Angelo D. Hizon Jr. and Mrs. Lolita O. Hizon, and theirl twelve children. It manufactures eleven core products – Tocino, Hotdogs, Longaniza, Ham, Bacon, Tapa, Burger Patties, Corned Beef, Embotido, Barbecue, and Nuggets.

True to it’s motto – Always the best from Pampanga’s BEST – the company puts prominence on the importance of high quality throughout it’s more than 40 years in the business, creating customer value, satisfaction, and loyalty. Also, it acquired the AAA Category, the highest level for a manufacturing plant, from the National Meat Inspection Service.

Consumers’ taste for something new is endless, which leads to the development of new products based on the consumers’ preference and his environment. With the expertise and creativity of its Research and Development Team, the company is able to cater to the different needs and demand of the consumers.

Competition is growing so fast – entrants of new and small enterprises and some companies are imitating our products, but with the company’s mission to adopt new technologies for the innovation of its products and service and its creatively and uniquely designed and well – executed systems, Pampanga’s Best is surely a brand to match; because the value it gives to it’s customers is irreplaceable.

Pampanga’s Best, Inc. is committed to providing safe and quality products through the implementation of an effective Food Safety Management System (FSMS), the use of highly advanced technology, the utilization of superior quality resources, and the competence, commitment and dedication of the employees. The system symbolizes Quality Assurance, designated to meet or exceed statutory, regulatory and customer requirements. The system has define standard for all the resources and work instructions for all processes involved in the manufacturing process to control, eliminate and/or reduce food safety hazards.

• HACCP – is science based and systematic that identifies specific hazards and measures for their control to ensure the safety of food. HACCP is a tool used to protect food against biological, chemical and physical hazards. It establishes control systems that focus on prevention rather than relying mainly on end – product testing.

• Good Manufacturing Practices – (GMP) is a quality assurance system aimed at ensuring that products are consistently manufactured, packed and repacked or held to a quality appropriate for the intended use. It is thus concerned with both manufacturing and quality control procedure.

• 5S – is derived from five Japanese works that start with the letter S, when translated in English, they are: sort, straighten, shine, standardize, and sustain. This method is a work discipline used to ensure reliable work practices and clean working environment to increase efficiency and help enable lean manufacturing.

The Food Safety Management System envelopes the company’s:

Technology
The company is equipped with highly advanced machines and facilities that aid in the production of quality and safe food. Thorough evaluation for the selection and procurement of the machines and detailed planning for the construction of the facilities are done to ensure that FSM is carried out effectively.

Raw Materials
The company utilizes superior quality resources from world class and accredited suppliers to ensure production of quality and safe foods. The company performs extensive inspection, testing, analysis, and evaluation in the selection of materials and suppliers.

Human Resource
The employees are one of the great assets of Pampanga’s Best, Inc., they are the largest contributors in the achievement of the company’s objectives. They are screened, evaluated, and trained toward their commitment to producing quality and safe food.

The Plant
Pampanga’s Best products are all manufactured in its facility in Barangay Dela Paz Nort, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The production facility area is 1.2 hectares situated in a 37 – hectare property; it has a production capacity of 50 metric tons. Other facilities in place that are germane are: laboratory, water treatment facility, water waste facility, waste segregation facility, refrigeration, ice maker, boiler, cold storages, washing area, raw materials warehouse, motor pool, fabrication and engineering, training and conference, medical clinic, canteen and recreation area, and HALAL facility intended to meet the requirements of the Muslim community. To date, more expansions are taking place.

The Distribution
Pampanga’s Best products are widely spread in the Philippines channeled through its thirty two (32) exclusive distributors and from the company’s own stores in Pampanga. Each distributor owns retail outlets that are present within their geographic coverage. Most of the large scale supermarkets (these are in the likes of SM, Puregold, and Robinson) and institutional accounts (hotels and restaurants) are directly handled by the company.

Pampanga’s Best also exports through consolidators in the Philippines. The importing countries are Dubai, Hongkong, South Korea, Singapore, and some countries in the Middle East.

Pampanga’s Best envisions to give every Filipino household and individuals in East Asia, Middle East, North America, and Europe, the pride in eating its famous and varied Tocino, Longaniza, and Tapa and other frozen deli. By using the best and advanced technology and processes it shall exceed the standards of the Good Manufacturing Practices in assuring the quality of the products, thereby creating excellent value for its customers; and satisfied and elated customers.

It is customary to design key objectives to make the vision a reality. Thus, Pampanga’s Best organization is bound to the following objectives:

  • Increase commitment to quality assurance and exceed customers’ expectations
  • To be the industry’s leader in technology and product innovation
  • To be the first local manufacturer to receive accreditation from the targeted countries for distribution
  • To increase product awareness in the market
  • To create an excellent brand image in the global market

With these objectives in mind, Pampanga’s Best gave birth to its strategy called “ Embracing Global Market”, which is now going toward the second year of its five-year setting. The strategy aims to keep the company competitive in all aspects.