Nestlé Sales Force Starts 100th Year with Guinness World Record Attempt for Gawad Kalinga

Nestlé Chairman and CEO John Miller hammers in the first nail

Kicking off the company’s celebration of its 100th year in the country, the sales force of Nestlé Philippines, Inc. (NPI) recently vied to beat a new Guinness World Record by conducting the largest carpentry lesson, and in the process building 100 tables and 200 benches within 100 minutes for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga (GK) families.

Nestlé Philippines sponsors GK Villages in Baseco in Manila’s Tondo district and Lipa City in Batangas. The tables and benches were built with Filipino family life firmly in mind; the dining table being at the heart of the home where family members gather to share meals and exchange their stories.

“We hope that, with this modest effort, we shall be able to help serve some of the needs of the GK families, especially those who are without tables and chairs,” Nestlé Chairman and CEO John Miller said.

In an attempt to top the current Guinness World Record of 250 people in the world’s largest carpentry lesson category, the Nestlé sales force of approximately 525 was mobilized into teams of four to five, each tasked to build a table and two benches. The exercise was monitored by independent observers and safety personnel. The 100th table was completed with 18 minutes to spare.

The tables and benches were presented to GK founder Tony Meloto by Mr. Miller, NPI National Sales Director Paul Rodriguez, Corporate Affairs Head Edith de Leon, and Corporate Wellness Head Cora Sager. Also handed over with the tables and benches personal were ‘good wishes’ messages to the individual recipient families and 600 dinner plates inscribed with the Nestlé nutrition guide for moderation, variety and balance (MoVaBa) to encourage sound dietary habits, as part of the company’s long-term advocacy of nutrition, health and wellness. The Nestlé involvement in Gawad Kalinga is part of its efforts to Create Shared Value (CSV) and help improve lives.

“Nestlé is not just a global brand, but truly our leading partner in nation-building. Thank you, Nestlé, and congratulations for 100 years of helping build a better nation,” Mr. Meloto said.