At Universal Robina Corporation (URC), helping people learn, lead, and grow beyond their current roles is central to the company’s approach to development. These efforts were recently recognized at The Philippines’ Best Employer Brand Awards 2026.
Held on June 26 at Dusit Thani Manila, the awards program was organized by the Employer Branding Institute and the World HRD Congress, which brought together HR leaders, organizations, and experts to recognize excellence in employer branding and people management.
“Receiving this honor underscores a fundamental truth at URC: our sustained business success is entirely powered by our people,” said Irwin Lee, URC President and CEO. “By continuously investing in generation talent, we are building a highly agile, future-ready organization.”
Bringing “Grow Beyond UR Job” to Life
URC’s approach is guided by its employer value proposition, Grow Beyond UR Job, which encourages its people to expand their capabilities, take on new challenges, and pursue opportunities throughout their careers.
The company supports this through leadership development and continuous learning programs that help participants strengthen their skills and prepare for greater responsibilities.
One of the main avenues for this is the John Gokongwei Institute for Leadership and Enterprise Development, or JG-ILED, the Gokongwei Group’s internal leadership development platform. It provides targeted and customized training to qualified employees, providing support for their professional and personal growth across the organization.
Employees can also continue their development through URLearning, an online learning platform with interactive modules available anytime and anywhere. Along with personalized training, the platform gives colleagues opportunities to exchange knowledge, learn from one another, and be recognized for strong learning performance.
Together, these initiatives promote personal mastery, servant leadership, collaboration, and operational excellence.
Making Everyday Support Easier
URC complements these development programs with digital tools designed to make workplace support more convenient and responsive.
One example is EVA, the first artificial intelligence-powered chatbot deployed in URC Philippines. The platform provides quick access to HR services and information while reducing manual work for Human Resources teams. By simplifying routine processes, the chatbot allows both users and HR teams to devote more time to work that requires greater attention and judgment.
Alongside URC’s leadership and learning programs, EVA shows how the company supports its people in both their long-term development and day-to-day needs.
With its recognition at The Philippines’ Best Employer Brand Awards, URC continues to strengthen a workplace culture rooted in its core value to “Put People First”—giving employees room to grow, trusting them to take ownership, and helping them find purpose in what they do.
For more information on URC, visit urc.com.ph
