Our Local History

In 1916, the legendary Coca‑Cola 6.5-ounce contour bottle made its Philippine debut. Instantly recognizable for its classic curves, the bottle became more than just a container—it turned into a symbol of modern times and shared enjoyment for Filipino families. From sari-sari stores to hometown celebrations, it's a shape that generations have come to know and love.

Launched in 1922 by San Miguel Brewery, Royal Tru-Orange brought a zesty, truly local refreshment to Filipinos—with real orange bits in every bottle. This one-of-a-kind texture and flavor quickly made Royal Tru-Orange a unique treat at meriendas, family get-togethers, and local celebrations. Beloved for its authentic taste, Royal Tru-Orange would later become part of the Coca‑Cola family, remaining a staple in Filipino culture for new generations.

In 1927, a new chapter in the Coca‑Cola Philippines story began with San Miguel Brewery becoming the first local company outside the United States to bottle and distribute Coca‑Cola. This landmark partnership made it possible for Coca‑Cola to reach families, sari-sari stores, and communities from Luzon to Mindanao—keeping refreshment truly local and accessible to more Filipinos.

In 1941, The Coca‑Cola Company President Robert Woodruff famously declared that Coca‑Cola should be within an "arm's reach of desire". While this mandate echoed across the world, the Filipino story continued to grow at home. That December, Coca‑Cola opened its second Philippine bottling plant in Cebu City—its first outside Luzon—making the refreshing taste of Coke more accessible throughout the Visayas and Mindanao islands.

This expansion reflected a deeper commitment: bringing Coca‑Cola closer to more Filipino families, communities, and celebrations—no matter how far from Manila.

In 1948, Coca‑Cola deepened its commitment to local production with the opening of the Bacolod plant—right in the heart of the Visayas’ famed sugar belt. That same year, the Naga Plant was inaugurated in Camarines Sur. Decades later, Naga proudly stands as the oldest continually operating Coca‑Cola manufacturing facility in the Philippines—a living testament to our long partnership with Filipino communities.

Remember Coca‑Cola’s 1950s collectible mini bottles? Filipinos swapped marked crowns for miniature Coke bottles and wooden cases, creating a nationwide craze.

In 1957, Coca‑Cola’s 50th anniversary in the Philippines was marked by one of the earliest ad appearances of the legendary Susan Roces, alongside beloved love team partner Bernard Bonnin. Their charm brought Coca‑Cola even closer to Filipino hearts—and brightened family living rooms nationwide.

That same year, our local partner, San Miguel Brewery, celebrated its own 30th anniversary—another milestone in our ongoing journey together as part of everyday Filipino life.

In 1966, a Filipino classic was refreshed. Cosmos' Sarsaparilla, beloved for its unique taste, was given a new name and identity—Sarsi. Since then, Sarsi became a staple at Filipino meriendas, barkada hangouts, and family celebrations, delighting generations with its signature local flavor.

In 1981, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and The Coca‑Cola Company (TCCC) formed Coca‑Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), ushering in a new era of dedicated local bottling and stewardship. At its founding, SMC held 70% majority ownership, strengthening and grounding CCBPI's strong Filipino roots, identity, and leadership. Ownership and partnership would continue to evolve in the years ahead, shaping the company’s journey as it grew with the Filipino community.

In 1990, Coca‑Cola ushered in a new era with the opening of its Santa Rosa Returnable Glass Bottle (RGB) Plant. This milestone marked a significant step in strengthening local bottling operations and distribution across Greater Manila Area and Southern Luzon. In 1997, the second production line in Santa Rosa was launched. Together, the Santa Rosa Mega-Plants produce a diverse range of products across the total beverage company’s portfolio—supporting everyday moments from city gatherings to hometown celebrations.

In April 1997, local bottling partner, Coca‑Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) began a new chapter by merging with Coca‑Cola Amatil (CCA), one of Australia’s leading beverages companies. Through this move, San Miguel Corporation transitioned its stake from direct local ownership to a position within the broader Amatil group—bringing new scale, innovation, and regional expertise to the Philippines.

Ownership and partnerships would continue to evolve in the years ahead, shaping the next era of refreshment for Filipino communities.

In 1999, Coca‑Cola opened the doors to its Canlubang plant in Laguna, marking a new chapter in local bottling and innovation. Purpose-built to serve growing communities across Luzon and beyond, the Canlubang facility quickly became a hub for efficiency and quality.

Years later, Canlubang would also set global benchmarks in bottling speed and technology with two of the world’s fastest PET carbonated soft drink (CSD) lines—reflecting an ongoing commitment to bring top-quality beverages to Filipino families, faster than ever.

In 2010, Coca‑Cola inaugurated its Misamis Oriental Mega-Plant—a state-of-the-art facility that marked a new chapter in advanced production for Mindanao and the Visayas. Designed to serve more communities with the beverages Filipinos love, the mega-plant reflects a long-term commitment to making refreshing choices more accessible across Northern Mindanao and beyond.

In early 2013, Coca‑Cola FEMSA, one of the world’s largest bottlers, finalized its purchase of a 51% stake in the local bottling operations of Coca‑Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI). This partnership marked a new chapter—uniting global expertise with deep local roots to better serve Filipino consumers across the country.

Between 2015 and 2022, local bottling partner, Coca‑Cola Bottlers Philippines (CCBPI), made important strides in water stewardship. Through efficiency programs at local manufacturing sites, the Coca‑Cola system conserved significant volumes of water—helping ensure more sustainable operations and supporting the communities we serve. These efforts are still in place and reflect our ongoing commitment to responsible resource use and measurable environmental progress.

In August 2018, following Coca‑Cola FEMSA’s exit from the Philippine market, The Coca‑Cola Company (TCCC) reassumed direct ownership of its local bottling operations. With this transition, the company reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Filipino communities and officially became Coca‑Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), marking a fresh start with renewed local focus.

In 2021, the Coca‑Cola system, completed major solar panel installations at its Davao, Misamis Oriental, and Bacolod facilities. By harnessing solar energy, these plants began significantly reducing reliance on traditional power sources—supporting more responsible and renewable operations in key regions across the country.

In 2022, PETValue Philippines—a joint venture between its local bottling partner, Coca‑Cola Beverages Philippines, and Indorama Ventures—officially opened its doors in Cavite. Recognized as the country’s inaugural food-grade, bottle-to-bottle recycling facility, PETValue enables used PET plastic bottles to be processed and safely reused for new beverage bottles. The facility, granted pioneer status by the Philippines’ Board of Investments in 2020, marks a significant step forward in locally advancing circular economy solutions for packaging.

On February 23, 2024, Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) and Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) jointly completed the acquisition of the local bottling operations of Coca‑Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) from The Coca‑Cola Company. This milestone marked the beginning of a new chapter in the company’s long history of local partnership and global expertise.

In 2025, the entity was officially renamed Coca‑Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP).

On September 10, 2025, now under its new local bottling name, Coca‑Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP), the Coca‑Cola system marked the groundbreaking of its Tarlac Plant. Set to become the largest Coca‑Cola facility in the Philippines, this project represents one of the most significant manufacturing and infrastructure investments by Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners globally to date. The new facility is designed to support growing demand, advance sustainable manufacturing practices, and serve communities nationwide.

In 2027, Coca‑Cola marks 115 years of continuous presence and partnership in the Philippines. This milestone honors the many generations of Filipinos who have welcomed Coca‑Cola into their communities and celebrations. As we look ahead, our commitment remains—to support local communities and share moments of refreshment with generations to come.