Special Features

From Kitchen Table to Filipino Staple: CDO Foodsphere Celebrates 50 Years of Feeding Generations

by Alexa Villano
July 7, 2025

On its 50th year, CDO continues to nourish generations of Filipino families, with love at the core of every meal

For many food business owners, the kitchen is more than a place for cooking — it holds stories behind every meal and has long-inspired dreamers like Corazon Dayro Ong. From baon boxes to weekend breakfasts, CDO has become part of the everyday stories of Filipino families. In the five decades since, its portfolio has grown — from tocino, bacon, and hotdogs to names like San Marino and Danes.

To celebrate its 50 years in the country, CDO marked this golden milestone with a celebration filled with gratitude, nostalgia, and the unmistakable joy of a Filipino family feast at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on June 24 and 25.

On its 50th year, CDO continues to nourish generations of Filipino families, with love at the core of every meal

A Small Dream That Went Big

What started in a kitchen in Valenzuela has grown into a company of products that are a staple in every Filipino household. This all traces back to the inspiration Corazon received from her mother, who encouraged her to dream big.

“My dream was simple: to create food that brings the warmth of home. I never dreamt of having this large of an enterprise,” says founder and chairperson Corazon Dayro Ong, thanking its partners who made the journey possible during the company’s two-day event.

Many of her family members are part of the company, taking positions to help continue its mission of providing food in the country. The company’s President and CEO, Jerome D. Ong, credited the company’s roots in collaboration and response to Filipino consumers’ needs.

“This celebration is not just about us, it’s about all of you who believed in us, stood by us, and helped us grow,” he shared.

During the June 24 event, Dr. Charmaine Ong-Castro, Senior Vice President for Corporate Purchasing, Treasury, and Governance, expressed her gratitude to the company’s suppliers, trade partners, and stakeholders over the last five decades, while Vice President for Emerging Businesses James D. Ong said that they’ll continue to help people through food and their advocacy, highlighting the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Arm Odyssey Foundation through its programs in Kalusugan (health), Kabuhayan (livelihood), Karunungan (education), and Kalikasan (environment).

Fifty years later, CDO continues to nourish generations of Filipino families, with love at the core of every meal

A Star-Studded Celebration

The June 25 event saw the company’s 4,000 employees gather together for the 50th anniversary. They remembered the late Jose J. Ong, the company’s co-founder and husband of Corazon Ong, who helped make CDO what it is today.

As a nod to the hands and hearts behind the scenes, CDO honored its team with the Golden Spoon Awards, recognizing employees for their performance and contribution to the company.

The two-day event was not without the personalities that helped push CDO into the minds of Filipinos. Several of its ambassadors dropped in to entertain and celebrate. Power couple Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli, longtime faces of San Marino, and Gary Valenciano partied with the guests during the external celebration. Juan Miguel Salvado provided the entertainment during the after-party.

Vice Ganda and BINI celebrated with the company during day 2, while Sarah, Matteo, and Gary V returned to provide another round of performances. Dimples Romana, one of CDO’s longtime ambassadors, and Sam YG hosted the festivities.

As CDO enters its next chapter, its heart remains the same: feeding families, honoring roots, and proving that dreams born in the kitchen can nourish generations to come.