Magnolia, the iconic Filipino brand known for its dairy and chicken products, celebrated its 100th anniversary on August 4, reaffirming its commitment to providing quality food while uplifting small businesses, retailers, and local producers .
Established in 1925 and later acquired by San Miguel Brewery, Magnolia began as a modest ice cream operation in Manila. Over the past century, it has grown into a powerhouse brand offering a wide range of dairy, chicken, spreads, and ready-to-cook products under food and beverage leader San Miguel Corporation (SMC)
During the centennial celebration, SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang emphasized that Magnolia’s future will not only focus on innovation but also on strengthening the communities that make its success possible. From farmers and truck drivers to sari-sari store owners and carinderia operators, Magnolia has always been closely tied to the everyday lives of Filipinos. “Magnolia is part of Filipino life, from everyday meals to special occasions. As we move forward, we will continue to create more products for more families, while also providing opportunities to the small businesses and individuals who bring our products to homes across the country,” Ang said .
Throughout its history, Magnolia has been a pioneer in the local food industry, introducing many firsts such as the use of refrigerated trucks, Magnolia Chocolait in glass bottles, and chicken stations in supermarkets offering fresh poultry. Today, the brand continues to evolve with a wide variety of products including ice cream, butter, mayonnaise, and ready-to-cook meals. A large portion of its raw materials is sourced from local suppliers, while thousands of small-scale retailers nationwide ensure that Magnolia products reach Filipino households .
The milestone event brought together SMC executives including John Paul Ang, Monica Ang-Mercado, Dr. Leo Obviar, Emmanuel Macalalag, Judah Ruiz, and Francisco Alejo, alongside Magnolia’s long-time endorsers Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Marian Rivera-Dantes, and Alden Richards. Their presence highlighted how deeply the brand is woven into Filipino culture, family meals, and traditions .
Magnolia has also been instrumental in supporting livelihoods across its value chain—from farmers and market vendors to home bakers and carinderia cooks. Moving forward, San Miguel Corporation affirmed that Magnolia will continue to expand opportunities for those who help bring its products into homes across the nation .
As Magnolia looks ahead to its next century, it will remain operated by San Miguel Foods, a division of San Miguel Food and Beverage, Inc., and will roll out more initiatives to strengthen community-based retailers and further promote Filipino-made products
