MANILA, Philippines, 30 Oct 2026 — From humble beginnings in a rented apartment with just a borrowed truck to a nationwide network of strategically located manufacturing plants, Mr. Freeze has solidified its status as a household and commercial staple. For over two decades, the company has delivered more than just ice—it has delivered resilience, dedication, and community impact under the visionary leadership of the “Ice King” himself, Founder and CEO Mr. Gerald “Gerry” Santos.
This remarkable journey is taking center stage this season as Mr. Gerry Santos and the next generation of leadership grace the cover of Top News Asia for its October 2026 issue.
To celebrate the feature, Top News Asia hosted an exclusive magazine signing event this afternoon at the National Book Store SM North EDSA branch, drawing crowds, fans, and business enthusiasts eager to meet the family behind the legacy.
More Than a Product: A Foundation of People and Perseverance
While ice is the tangible product that cools homes and businesses across the country, Mr. Freeze has always been built on something much warmer: perseverance, relationships, and deep-seated partnerships.
After years of personally driving the day-to-day operations and steering the company to its current stature, Mr. Gerry Santos is now gradually transitioning the reins of responsibility to his children, ensuring a seamless stewardship of the family empire. During his parting words at the event earlier, Mr. Santos made it a point to express his heartfelt gratitude to his partners, friends, family, and employees, emphasizing:
“Mr. Freeze grew with the business partners and we are still growing with them.”
Building on that foundation, Philip Santos, President of Mr. Freeze, noted that stepping into leadership is not merely about inheriting a thriving enterprise—it is about honoring something he watched being built from the ground up. Addressing the evolution of the company, Philip shared:
“Today, we’ve grown into a much larger organization, with more plants, more employees, and a more structured and professional approach. We are continuously improving how we operate, embracing new technologies, and developing our people to support the growth.”
Measuring Success by the Lives Touched
Echoing her father’s and brother’s sentiments, Janina Santos-Ortico, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Administration, emphasized that the company’s true achievements cannot be quantified solely by sales figures, market reach, or the number of manufacturing plants. Instead, true success is measured by people.
Reflecting on the milestone, Janina noted:
“This year, we have just reached our 21st year in the business. For me, every year is considered a milestone because every year we employ more people, allowing us to support more families.”
Looking Ahead
The magazine signing at National Book Store served not only as a celebration of the Santos family’s commemorative Top News Asia cover feature, but also as a powerful testament to Filipino entrepreneurship. As Mr. Freeze steps boldly into its third decade, the transition from founder to the next generation proves that a legacy anchored on hard work, family values, and genuine care for people will always endure.
The October 2026 issue of Top News Asia, is the first 3-cover issue of the magazine. Three covers, three generations, three stories, one vision. One of them is that of the Ice King — the legacy built on Ice!
