Mighty Corp celebrates its 69th anniversary

Mighty Corp. (MC), the Philippines’ oldest cigarette maker, recently marked its 69th anniversary, drawing praises and congratulatory messages from some of the country’s leading firms and personalities as it vowed to buy more local tobacco for its expanding product line. 
Executive vice president Oscar Barrientos said the company is looking to export local blended and expanded tobacco. “We are working closely with local farmers and our local tobacco suppliers in planning and implementing our expansion programs,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mighty’s contigency is now fully activated to meet the smooth implementation of the new cigarette tax system it drew up as early as six months ago in anticipation of its final approval by the finance department upon the recommendation of the BIR,” Barrientos said.
The BIR has just released Revenue Regulation No. 7-2014 which imposes the affixture of Internal Revenue Stamps on imported and locally-manufactured cigarettes as well as the use of the IRSIS for the ordering, distribution and monitoring of tobacco manufacturers.
The re-launching of the company’s oldest and flagship brands, La Campana Ringing Bell and Alhambra cigarettes, known traditionally as “Matamis” and “Regaliz” blend lines, re-engineered and reblended to cater to today’s consumers, also highlighted MC’s remarkable years in business.
The company, which produces non-premium brands, had earlier launched two types in the premium category: King and Chelsea. These two brands are now categorized in the highest tax bracket for cigarettes.
“We hope to extend the reach of Mighty and strengthen our position as the top Filipino-owned tobacco company in the Philippines,” Barrientos said.
The company was established in 1945 as La Campana Fabrica de Tabacos, Inc. by Wong Chu King and started out with a small cigarette factory in Manila producing native cigarettes known as “matamis.” A second factory was built in Pasong Tamo, Makati in 1948.
A facility for tobacco threshing and redrying was constructed in 1963 in Malolos, Bulacan where the company’s present-day nine-hectare fully integrated manufacturing and processing plant is located.
Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros celebrated a Holy Mass to commemorate Mighty’s anniversary as well as its primary and tobacco expansion facilities.
“As you gather as one family, I adhere to all of you to contemplate deeper on the face of Jesus Christ and reflect the mission of love,” Bishop Oliveros said.
Archbishop Emeritus of Manila Gaudencio Rosales enjoined Mighty and the Wongchuking family for the services they have extended to many small and large communities all over the country.
“Their social and philantrophic outreach have even gone farther than their products,” he added.
Archbishop of Caceres Rolando Tria Tirona cited Mighty for its growth as a successful company and for extending services through the various socio-economic and religious programs and activities to Filipinos.
“Mighty’s commendable efforts to reach out to people expressed social responsibility that is important to bring about change in our society,” he said.
Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado congratulated Mighty on its 69 years of remaining steadfast in its commitment to nation building and seeking solution to the current economic quandary.
“The company’s success didn’t just happen overnight. There had been hard work, diligence and competitive spirit of each member of this company,” the governor said.
His wife, Rep. Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado of the 1st district of Bulacan, said: “Mighty’s success is considered phenomenal and inspiring. It first became popular as a producer of native cigarettes but transformed into a major player in the low-priced cigarettes.”
“Not only that. Through the years, Mighty has lived up to its corporate social responsibility by being an active and dedicated partner of the government from the private sector in nation building and development,” she said.
Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad gave a poetic message saying: “It’s doing your job the best you can and being just to your fellow man. Looking forward and thinking high while making labor a brave romance. Success is serving, striving through strain and stress, it’s doing your noblest — that’s success.”
“Mighty has always been a good partner to our city and I am so proud of your success in doing business with us,h he added.
Vice Mayor Jonathan Sy-Alvarado of Lingkod Movement said gas one of your partners in providing public service to our people, I am also one with you in your mission in providing excellence and active participation in the socio-economic activities for the upliftment and development of our community.h
Bulacan Vice Governor Daniel Fernando praised Mighty for contributing to the upliftment and progress of their community and for continuously providing employment for fellow Bulakenyos and participating in socio-economic activities.
“Lead by your standards of excellence as responsible leaders of our society, may your spirit move you to even greater heights,h he said.
Congratulating Mighty, BdO Unibank said: gWe have been a witness to the many achievements the company has attained during its evolution from a niche player into a major contender in the highly competitive cigarette industry. The companyfs prospects are very promising and you can count on us to be your partner in growth.h
The company was renamed Mighty Corp. in 1985 and bought the trademarks of Alhambra Industries in 1993. By 2000, Mightyfs expansion continued all throughout the decade as it purchased and upgraded its production and packing facilities.