Celebrating A Legendary Decade Made by Great People

CLELE

Her first stop is always the pantry – the place where you go to take a break, have a scrumptious meal or laugh with friends.

Much like the persona who tends to the space on a daily basis, Ate Clele is the personification of comfort. A silent necessity that one seeks but fails to recognize amidst the hustle and bustle of their lives. It was only when you look back that you realize that she has always been the smiling face that greets you when you get your morning coffee, and the warm laughter you hear whenever you decide to finally sit still and eat in the middle of a workday.

“Pag nanay kasi iba eh”

She chuckles at the emphasis to lighten the moment much like any mother would after you bring up a serious topic like having two homes to manage. She accentuates a strong sense of “malasakit” that blurs the lines between work and family. She cares for the KMC employees much like her own children—dutifully and fondly.

Without fanfare, it is the kind of love that only the virtuous willingly gives and an act of service that echoes even through the loudest part of the office.

ANGELICA

There is a duality in strength. It’s not always power but a show of tenderness.

Angelica displays hers through the challenging roles she plays at home and at work. There is no clear divide in being a solo parent and a reliable admin officer because the goal is almost the same: to always have everything in place.

For nearly three years, she is mom and dad to her daughter Pia, tasked to discipline, nurture, and to find the balance in between. Raised by strong women herself, she aims to be the kind of parent who is respected and loved at the same time.

Similarly, for almost a decade, she has found her place in a company which she now considers home. More than changes, Angelica watched the company grow. “It’s hard to find a corporation who knows you by name. No matter how the company grows, they know how to value and appreciate their people, especially those who have been with them from the start.”

Like the child who she watched blossom, Angelica’s service has molded every surface of KMC with great dedication. She proves that there is no complex secret to growth: just an exchange of faith and love.

ROSE ANN

The unfamiliarity may be daunting for a driver, but fate favors the brave.

Rose Ann’s drive towards KMC was fast, which is unusual even for the business districts she studies. She evolved as the face of persistence as she drives to work every day for the last 4 years— that’s at least 5,840 hours of her life she dedicates to her personal musings & work preparations.

“If nakita niyo ako na naka-full makeup, that means traffic talaga,” she said candidly while keeping her eyes on the road.

The roads she passes by may change but her insistence to show up is truly an inspiration to all. She always arrives and delivers with a Sunday morning smile despite having to repeatedly face and drive through the unfamiliar, sometimes unguided, and the slightly bumpy journey she calls work.

However, the secret to her successful journey is clear: adaptability. There is no one clear formula and the rules may sometimes be broken but it is the bond that always remains intact.

“Ann’s car is Research’s car” seems to be the rightful depiction because it’s only through her capable hands that people see her team arrive in the same destination together.

NICOLE

Tiny pieces of breadcrumbs led her to a sweet future.

Nicole’s house of treats ended up being the corporate world where she found herself planted. In her mind, she plans to bloom with what’s coming. After all, she has everything to gain, and nothing to lose like most people her age.

Similar to a sugar rush, Nicole easily found her footing in KMC, from what first started as a 200-hour internship that eventually evolved to a 2-year stay. There is no greater confection than the sense of belongingness received by a young but brave heart like hers.

“My first day as an intern was very memorable for me,” she shares about her beginning, “Nagpapicture pa ako while working, who knew two years later, I’d still be here.”

But what made her stay?

Giggling, she confirms that it’s as magical as she imagined. She says “Super saya kasi talaga. Masaya ako sa ginagawa ko at masaya yung mga kasama.”

In her journey, she has stumbled upon many surprise centers, encountered some jawbreakers on the road, and discovered new enticing layers to enjoy about herself. The cherry on top is that in KMC, she found a candy mix of lessons and met people that may change her life forever.

ANNIE

Annie describes her own chocolate factory as surreal and magical. Fascinated by the idea of a place that has everything in store, she imagined touring inside it, walking along aisles of goodies and opening doors that lead you places.

“Nung bata ako, di namin maafford pumunta sa mga grocery, lagi lang kami sa sari-sari stores namimili,” she shared. “Sabi ko sa sarili ko, makakabili din ako ng mga bagay na di namin afford.”

Her journey towards it wasn’t a smooth sail on the chocolate river. To her, it was almost a lifelong scavenger hunt for clues hidden in secret places. During her travel, she encountered many hiccups and met many Oompa Loompas that made her question her worth.

She knew that good things are given to those who are with pure intentions. With hard work, all wishes can become reality. With a dash of faith, a long thread of patience, and a whole lot of fighting spirit, she finally found her golden ticket.

“Nung nagkaroon ako ng membership card, feeling ko natupad yung childhood dream ko,” Annie said with glimmering eyes. “Pag nandun ako, sobrang saya ko.”

Unlike the others, Annie never grew impatient and not in one second she gave up. She believes that the universe gives you what you’re ready for, and to her, this is what she’s been preparing for all her life.

JHUN

This was his longest journey yet and it was not even on a motorcycle. Jhun has driven several KMC employees to their respective destinations for the last 7 years, whether it be for a quick errand or business meeting. He did not seem to realize the length of the service he dedicated, much less equate it to what he believes is his longest trip: the 12 hours he spent on a motorcycle to get to Baler.

His eyes sparkled when asked about his liking for motorcycles. “Mas mabilis ka makakadating sa gusto mo puntahan,” Jhun said in a candid tone. He seemed to love the thrill of the speed and reaching an endpoint without much hindrance. Never mind that the motorcycle was still muddy, he sees it as a remembrance of the meaningful time he spent on the road with friends.

But despite his love for speed and craving for the rush, Jhun believes that everything must take its proper course—no matter how long or bumpy it may be. Indeed, it is the hardships that make victories sweeter and it is the roadblocks that make a drive more exciting. There are no shortcuts in life or in anything for that matter. All you can do is make every ride worthwhile.

VIRGINIA

It would be too easy to describe Virge's life through numbers: her career is run by facts and figures and its success is defined by a quota.

But like a Christmas surprise, one would be delighted to know that she is one of those who giddily waits for the holidays to begin, and for her, it is marked by red cups.

"Kahit nung nasa Japan ako, iniisip ko, 'Finally! Maiinom ko na yung favorite Christmas drink ko!'

More than a decade and over 200 cups of Toffee Nut Latte Frapuccino later, she finds herself buried under piles of planners collected where she tracks her life since 2008.

To her, coffee will always be associated with catch up dates with her dad and post Simbang Gabi bonding sessions with her siblings.

Her growth is not measured by figures, but by keepsakes carefully taped inside the pages of her planners. Indeed, her life may be all about numbers but she lives for the little moments in between.

MONA

It’s difficult to take away work from Mona who has lived the past four years being on call and on standby. She’s never too busy to pick up a call or revert to an email. For her, work with KMC has been an extension of her identity and a huge chunk of her daily grind.

For a company that has been understanding and adaptable to her needs as a mother, a friend, and an individual, she owes it to herself to give back and perform with the same level of commitment and service to KMC and its clients.

"Tita ng TR nga yung tawag sakin, kasi ako yung nagcocoordinate ng lahat," she shares. "Kaya akala nung iba masungit at strict ako sa trabaho, pero hindi, kailangan sumunod sila sa proseso, kasi kung hindi, ako naman yung maloloka."

But what happens when everything gets too overwhelming?

“Shopping!” Mona proudly exclaims. “Pampatanggal ko talaga ng stress magshopping after work—retail therapy!”

After all, everyone deserves a break especially for a hard worker like Mona. A reward for dedication and loyalty that never hits the low marks.

RITA

Given the demands of her job, Rita believes that she has found the best way to let off some steam when she joined a Rugby team. Known as a person who moves with purpose, she revealed the other reason why she chose the contact sport.

“My friend was recruiting for the first women’s team of a long-running male contact rugby club but all I heard was - do I dare challenge gender norms & stereotypes?? UHM HELL YES! Not fully realizing what I’ve agreed to, of course but I’ve been in love since,” Rita said candidly.

This is not new territory for Rita as the workplace and the field require the same traits: grit, passion, confidence, resilience, and valuing teamwork. As an advocate for gender equality, she leads by example as a standout figure and inspiring team player in both male-dominated fields. The secret to her success lies in the mindset she developed over the years that manifests in every role she takes.

However, it is not without challenges since she, too, faces tough days and the fear of getting hurt. “They bring many challenges and obstacles, but teamwork is what overcomes all of it. Collaboration and trust fosters strength and creativity that develops the strategy/solution that works best,” Rita emphasized.

This fearlessness and valuing a team’s effort gave birth to a simple but foolproof management philosophy. Rita creates unstoppable teams by making sure men and women are equals. “That we can all sit at the same table and get things done,” she points out.

She says that a sport has a power to change lives but so does great leaders. The target is set and her aim? It’s perfect.

KAREN

Great things take time and effort.

As a woman who knows how to get things done on her own, Karen made sure she was ready before facing challenges head on. She has set her own timeline in her life as a manager and a mother.

“Especially me, I have two daughters,” she shares. “I am raising them as a career woman. I want them to see how hard I work for the things that we have now.”

Karen inspires as a woman who blurs the line that separates motherhood and career. She breaks the stigma that women must choose or give up one thing for the other. Striving as a role model, Karen has solidified her final form as a respected manager to her team and an icon of strength and passion to her children.

“I’m not saying it’s easy,” she admits, “but women can have both—they deserve to have both. With the right work and help that you need, it’s really possible.”

Like in most things, she believes in the importance of taking your own time in preparing for something of value. Karen puts a great regard for her own growth and refining her own person. And while she is more than the sum of her parts, her persona is not complete unless she’s all that—an individual, a mother, and a manager to her team.