Albert, 53, has been an employee of the Jollibee Group for 33 years, starting at the commissary department. Through the years, his commitment to the job has seen him grow with the company, even as he faced personal challenges, one of them his son’s life-saving surgery where his Jollibee Group family paused work to pray for its success.

Today, as Jollibee Group commemorates its 45th year, it looks back to the many faces in the company who had contributed to its growth and helped establish the popularity of its products around the world. “Employees have been the heart of the company since its beginnings in 1978,” is a fact that the management acknowledges.

The 33-year career of Soriano in the Jollibee Group reflects the connection between the company and its employees, a relationship that runs as deep as family ties.

In his remarkable 33-year journey, Albert without hesitation had adapted to various roles, stepping in wherever needed, whether it was in the bakery, as a delivery aide, or in the production line. His willingness to adapt was crucial in helping handle the increasing demands of a company that had grown immensely over the years.

Today, he works at Jollibee Group’s state-of-the-art commissary in Canlubang, Laguna.

“Noong nagsimula ako, wala pa sa 100 ang Jollibee stores. Hanggang sa nag-evolve at dumami yung products,” Albert recalls. (“When I started, there were less than 100 Jollibee stores. Then the brand evolved and offered more products), Albert recalled.

Inevitably, this meant more work for the production crew.

“Dumami din yung trabaho pero kaya naman kasi automated na. Sa umpisa nag-adjust kami kasi kailangan ng technical knowledge pero noong nasanay na kami, mas magaan na siya. Sa manual kasi kailangan mag-exert ng lakas,” he said. “Ngayon, kaya na ang mas malaking volume ng production.” (Our work increased too but we could do it because of automation. At the start, we had to adjust and acquire technical knowledge but when we got the hang of it, work became easier. When we did manual operations, we had to exert physical effort. Now, we can take on bigger volumes in the production line.)

With the Jollibee Group, Albert’s career was not only personally fulfilling, it was also instrumental in securing a bright future for his family. He was able to provide shelter, education, and transportation – and most of all, financial stability –to his three children.

He said that the added benefit of free meals at the commissary eased the burden of daily expenses.

Unforgettable support for his family

Albert’s connection to the Jollibee Group goes beyond the workplace.  As employees have developed close connections over the decades that remained even after they split ways, Albert relied on this network of coworkers as a key source of support through difficult periods.

One was when Albert’s youngest child, Clint Tom, was born with a congenital heart disease. “Na-diagnose siya noong one-year-old siya, tapos almost every week nasa Philippine Heart Center kami,” (“At one year old, he was diagnosed with the condition, then almost every week, we had to go to the Philippine Heart Center),” he said.

Albert was grateful for the understanding of management and his co-workers. His bosses, who would often check on his family, eventually asked if he was ready to have his son undergo the sensitive operation.

“Sabi ng doktor, 50-50 yung operation. Mas masakit sa amin na na-iignore namin ang sakit niya. Kung talagang para sa amin siya, sa amin siya. (The doctor said the operation had a 50-50 chance. But it was more painful to ignore his condition. If he is truly meant for us, then he will be),” he said.

The company rallied around Albert's family with unwavering support. Jollibee Group Foundation helped with Clint’s heart surgery, restoring hope to a worried family. “Noong operation ng anak ko, talagang tumigil ang buong planta,” Albert shared. “Lahat ng empleyado naging prayer warrior. (During my son’s operation, the whole plant stopped. All the employees became prayer warriors”,” he said.

What could have been a simple act of generosity became a lifelong testimony to the impact of the company’s compassion. Even after the procedure, Albert’s teammates helped the family through fundraising to cover the follow up appointments with the doctor.

Albert recognized Jollibee Group’s loyal commitment to the well-being of its employees and their families, and it sparked a deep sense of loyalty within him. He vowed to give his best in return. Now, Clint is a healthy 27-year- old who works with a video production outfit in Ortigas. He visits his parents in Canlubang on weekends.

Over the past three decades, Albert has been a pillar of strength and a guiding light to his colleagues. Whether it be mentoring young apprentices or assisting seasoned workers, Albert's deep-rooted commitment to the company has left a mark on Jollibee Group just as the company has left a mark on him.

“Yun ang maganda kasi hindi tayo iniiwanan ng Jollibee [Group]. Kapag umaangat siya, kasama tayong umaangat. (That’s what is beautiful about it, Jollibee [Group] doesn’t leave us behind. When it succeeds, so do we),” Albert said.