When Brian Julian “Ian” Borleo joined Southstar Drug in 2016, he was determined to contribute meaningfully and show that his autism would not define the quality of his work. Eight years later, he is a valued accounting associate known for his precision, strong work ethic, and exceptional ability to reconcile accounts using SAP with 100% accuracy.
Ian is just one of many “Southstar Incredibles”, a growing group of persons with disabilities (PWDs) employed across the various departments of Southstar Drug, one of the main drugstore banners of Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. (RRHI). With their roles in finance and customer-facing retail, to human resources and warehouse merchandising systems, these individuals demonstrate that ability, not disability, defines what one can contribute to an organization.
A Culture of Inclusion Inspired by Empathy
Southstar Drug's inclusive hiring program began in 2016, rooted in the company’s brand promise: “We Care a Little More.” This guiding principle reflects the company’s mission, vision, and values—especially critical in an industry where customers turn to neighborhood drugstores in times of sickness and need.
That everyday reality inspired the company to broaden its approach beyond customer service by opening doors to individuals who are often overlooked in the workforce, including those who are neurodivergent.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, neurodivergent refers to individuals whose brain functions differ from what’s considered typical—such as those with autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome.
This shift in mindset allowed Southstar to recognize the unique strengths these individuals bring, alongside the need for structure and support. With partners like the Project Inclusion Network (PIN), the UNILAB Foundation, and various local government and advocacy groups, Southstar Drug launched what would become one of the Philippine retail sector’s most progressive disability employment programs.
“Our goal was to break the stigma and show that people with disabilities can thrive when hired based on their skills and potential,” says Southstar’s HR team.
What began as a handful of placements has grown into a structured diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program now known as “The Southstar Incredibles.”
As the company’s HR team recalls, in 2019, Southstar Drug held an event called “Drop the Prefix,” a campaign that aimed to shift the public’s mindset by encouraging people to see beyond the disability label—removing the “dis” and focusing on the “ability.”
The event became a platform to showcase the talents of PWDs, particularly through art, and to build community support for their continued training and livelihood. This initiative strengthened Southstar Drug’s advocacy to recognize the value that PWDs bring to both the workplace and the community.
In 2024, the initiative was recognized as a finalist at the Investors in People Awards—an internationally respected benchmark for excellence in people management and workplace culture. Southstar Drug’s structured and forward-thinking approach to neurodivergent hiring brings inclusion to the forefront, where it is seen as both a moral responsibility and a contributor to business success.
Matching Roles with Strengths
Each Southstar Incredible is hired with a deep understanding of their strengths and support needs. For Jose Leandro “Osel” Tonato Jr., a person with autism, that meant being assigned to the Merchandising Information Systems department, where he now monitors lot numbers and expiry dates of pharmaceutical products—a critical compliance function required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Osel’s role is especially important in a pharmacy setting, where the accuracy of batch information ensures regulatory compliance, protects patient safety, supports inventory accuracy, and helps maintain the integrity and traceability of medicines across the supply chain.
“I really enjoy completing the orders from the various Southstar branches within 48 hours,” he shares. “I prefer to do things in one cycle, and complete my tasks on time.”
When asked if he finds the work challenging, Osel says confidently: “You just have to follow the steps. I’ve been doing it for a while now, so I know all the procedures.”
Osel is also known for his thoughtfulness. On Fridays, he makes sure to greet colleagues who will be celebrating birthdays over the weekend—a gesture that has endeared him to his team. “They might not be accessible on their actual birthday, so I make sure to greet them in advance,” he explains.
Osel recently received the "Best SSD Incredible” award at Southstar’s 2025 Store Leaders Assembly Awards Night, in recognition of his dedication and excellence. “Grabe! Ang daming tao sa ceremony,” he says in amazement. “Ang lakas ng loob ko [to go onstage to receive the award],” he adds cheerfully, before flashing the two thumbs up sign.
Well done, Osel!
Building Skills, Earning Respect
As an HR Assistant with the Learning and Organization Development team at Southstar Drug’s HR department, Maricris Rosalyn Ibarra has worked her way up from doing simple administrative tasks to facilitating online training sessions. A person with an intellectual disability, she is now in charge of coordinating weekly product knowledge training programs, issuing certificates, and liaising with pharmaceutical suppliers.
“I was hesitant at first, not sure if I could do the task,” she admits. “But now, I can handle everything on my own.”
Maricris says her motivation comes from her team, especially her HR head, who continuously encourages her to take on new responsibilities. Her work is not just appreciated but essential to the company’s operations. The training sessions she runs are part of Southstar Drug’s revenue-generating partnerships with suppliers.
Outside of work, Maricris is also a talented singer and long-time church choir member. Her love for music adds another dimension to her personality—one that brings joy not only to her personal life but also to the people around her.
Joy, Independence, and Routine
Perhaps the most outwardly cheerful member of the team is Clara Maria Reyes, a pharmacy assistant with Down Syndrome stationed at Southstar Drug’s Riverbanks branch in Marikina. Clara has been with the company since 2017 and is known for her sunny demeanor and tireless dedication to keeping the store shelves organized.
“I like refilling and arranging the gondola (store shelves),” she says proudly. Her parents share that she often calls the attention of her supervisor when stock levels are low.
According to Clara’s father, she loves being independent. She saves her salary to purchase her daily essentials and items to decorate her room—she even has plans to live on her own someday. For each workday, she prepares her own meals, keeps track of her calendar, and never misses a shift.
“She likes being able to earn her own money and make her own decisions,” says her father. “She wants to go to New York, and even buy her own car… Once she puts her mind to it, she’ll really try to achieve those goals.”
Clara’s mom smiles and shares, “She has grown and matured so much since joining Southstar.”
Her family shares that she takes pride in her work and refuses to call it a day until her tasks—especially arranging store shelves—are completed. She works a full-day shift from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and takes her responsibilities seriously through the week. She even has a nickname for Friday—'Last Day'—a sign of how she tracks her workweek and looks forward to a well-earned movie screening with her family on the weekend.
A Mission Aligned with the Gokongwei Group
Southstar Drug’s efforts toward inclusion embody the Gokongwei Group’s commitment to making lives better. By opening doors to individuals like Ian, Clara, Osel, and Maricris, the company supports meaningful careers that lead to dignity, independence, and a greater sense of purpose.
Ian, for instance, says that being part of a supportive workplace has helped him feel like he belongs. “I am not that different from them,” he says of his teammates. “Even if I have a disability, I feel accepted.”
His supportive colleagues taught him how to handle SAP reconciliation, digital transactions, and department reports—skills that he now applies confidently each day. They recognize his progress and regularly affirm his work. “Every time I finish a task, they tell me, 'Good job, Ian!’”
Beyond his precision with account reconciliation, Ian is known for his quiet consistency and strong memory—he can even recall tax identification numbers with ease. With experience in tax remittance, bookkeeping, and filing, he’s proven to be a reliable and focused team member. After work or on the weekend, Ian enjoys reading about the lives of U.S. presidents—particularly admiring Franklin D. Roosevelt—and listening to catchy product jingles.
A gentle soul, Ian hopes to inspire others with similar conditions: “Though we are different, we are not diminished. We can do the job—with proper coaching and guidance, because we are obedient and persevering.”
Fostering Belonging Through Structure and Support
Southstar Drug has carefully built an environment where PWD employees are equipped to thrive, with thoughtful systems and structures in place to support them. The company customizes onboarding and mentoring programs to match individual capabilities. Tasks are introduced gradually, changes are communicated clearly, and colleagues undergo disability sensitivity training to fully understand how to support PWD team members with empathy, respect, and awareness of their individual needs.
To complement these efforts, Southstar equips managers and coworkers with supplemental coaching and personalized guidance. Regular check-ins help ensure that PWD employees build confidence, master their responsibilities, and grow within the company.
“We aim to foster an inclusive workplace through structured guidance, regular feedback, and sensitivity training,” explains the HR team. “These efforts help build a culture grounded in empathy and understanding.”
Family involvement is also encouraged, especially during the early stages of employment. This allows Southstar to extend its support network beyond the store walls, helping PWD employees build consistency and confidence at home as well.
Inclusion That Benefits Everyone
The impact of the Southstar Incredibles program is deeply felt not only in company culture but also in business performance. According to Southstar’s HR team, stores that employ PWDs often see higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. ‘Suki’ shoppers even return specifically to be assisted by their favorite PWD pharmacy assistants because of the warm, excellent service they provide.
The program has also contributed to recruitment. During a recent nationwide pharmacist hiring push, Southstar launched “Hire for a Cause,” a campaign promising that for every pharmacist hired, a PWD would also be placed. The result: a 95% fulfillment rate for pharmacist roles across the company—a major win for operations.
An Invitation to Other Companies
Today, the Southstar Incredibles program serves as a platform for both employment and the transformation of lives and workplace culture. The company regularly shares its experiences with other businesses, and has been featured in national publications and industry events.
To those wondering whether they, too, can build an inclusive team, Southstar’s message is clear: You can.
“The presence of our neurodivergent employees brings joy, authenticity, and stronger community ties to the workplace,” says the HR team. “Their contributions have a meaningful impact not only on our company culture but also on customer loyalty and overall business performance.”
And for those still on the fence about hiring PWDs, Clara offers the simplest advice of all:
“Mag-work para magka-money.”
As Clara experienced first-hand, work opens the door to many things: independence, confidence, and the joy of having something to call your own. Behind her joyful smile is a deeper truth. Inclusion empowers people to dream, contribute, and be truly incredible.
For more information on Southstar Drug, visit southstardrug.com.ph
