Half a century of Purefoods

Purefoods is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in producing the best food products, and almost two decades of excellence in basketball. The brand and the team have been inextricably linked in being the best from the get-go. Already established in the processed meat business long before it joined the Philippine Basketball Association, Purefoods became an even more potent brand after its immensely-popular basketball team debuted in the PBA. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

In 1981, Ayala Corporation bought a majority equity position in the multi-food company Pure Foods (spelled as two words) Corporation (which specialized in processed meats and hogs). Two years later, Pure Foods started poultry and livestock operations. In 1988, the rookie franchise was given the privilege of directly hiring the core of the successful Philippine men’s team: Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codiñera, Jojo Lastimosa and Glen Capacio. Patrimonio joined the team midway through the season. The Hotdogs instantly became fixtures in the All-Filipino Finals.

In 1997, Pure Foods acquired the exclusive rights to develop Burger King in the Philippines, holding a 49 percent stake in the popular burger chain. The team quickly climbs up in the record books, providing championships and runner-up finishes on a consistent basis.

The joint venture Purefoods-Hormel Co. is formed in 1998. Since Hormel is based in Minnesota, in 2003 this alliance allows head coach Ryan Gregorio to visit the training camp of the Minnesota Timberwolves, then coached by Flip Saunders and starring NBA All-Star forward Kevin Garnett. Gregorio, whose youthful looks lead him to being mistaken for a high school coach, is soon accorded great respect by both the players and coaching staff when they discover that the chairman of Hormel personally phoned the owner of the T-Wolves to get him to observe the team. The experience provides invaluable insights not only into training, but also into how teams and their officials bring themselves closer to fans and the general public.

"I realized what it felt like to be an outsider," Gregorio recalls. "I promised that Purefoods would welcome fans and other observers as our guests when they wanted to spend them with the team."

In 2001, Pure Foods Corporation is sold to San Miguel Corporation. In 2004, Purefoods Chunkee Corned Beef is launched, it quickly gobbling up a huge chunk of the local corned beef market. Competitors soon had to formulate their own chunky variants to keep up.

Historically, Purefoods has also been home to the game’s greatest players, and the league only four-time Most Valuable Players. Ramon Fernandez, known as El Presidente, became a legend when he became the first player to receive four MVP awards (in 1982, 1984, 1986 and 1988). Alvin Patrimonio, whom this writer dubbed "The Captain" in 1991, was a rookie when Fernandez won his last MVP. Patrimonio went on to equal the feat, claiming the award 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1997.

Other MVPs who have donned a Purefoods jersey are Abet Guidaben (1983, 1987), Freddie Hubalde (1977) and James Yap (2006). Patrimonio bears the distinction of having won all of his MVP plums with Purefoods, while Fernandez won his record-setting one in 1988. Yap won his MVP trophy this year.

The Purefoods bench was also led by the most-respected best basketball minds in the country, beginning with Grand Slam coach Baby Dalupan; Mon Fernandez, Cris Calilan, Ely Capacio, Chot Reyes, Eric Altamirano, Chito Narvasa, Derick Pumaren and current mentor Ryan Gregorio.

Dalupan won his 15th crown as a PBA coach as he steered Purefoods to a 1990 championship. Getting their first crack at PBA coaching glory through the Purefoods route were Capacio (1991 All-Filipino), Reyes (1993 All-Filipino and 1994 Commissioner’s Cup), Altamirano (1997 All-Filipino) and Gregorio (2002 Governors and 2006 Philippine Cup).

On May 10th of this year, Purefoods notched its 500th win, joining San Miguel Beer, Ginebra and Alaska as the only teams to win at least 500 games in PBA history.

"This win is so special. It makes me so proud of my team. Considering that we are down to eight men and still managed to find ways to win gives us some sense of pride," said head coach Ryan Gregorio then, referring to the loss of Eugene Tejada, Noy Castillo and Jondan Salvador to various injuries.

Today’s underrated but overachieving Purefoods Chunkee Giants team is composed of reigning MVP James Yap, Philippine Cup Finals MVP Marc Pingris, Rey Evangelista, Kerby Raymundo, Roger Yap, Richard Yee, Noy Castillo, Jun Limpot, Peter Jun Simon, Boyet Bautista, Jondan Salvador and Paul Artadi. Monday this week at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in California, forward Eugene Tejada took his first steps since being paralyzed in their game against Red Bull on Mother’s Day. Since 1988, Purefoods has won seven PBA titles, including the Philippine Cup which they are currently defending.

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Check out the pre-Christmas sale at Why Pay More? along EDSA near Shaw Boulevard. The store is offering up to 70 percent discount on known sports brands such as Reebok, Umbro, Vans, K-Swiss and Nautica. The sale runs until Nov. 30.