RDF | A Legacy of Loyalty: Celebrating Kuya Junior’s 35 Years at RDF | As RDF Feed, Livestock & Foods, Inc. celebrates its 36th anniversary, the company does more than simply commemorate its years of success—it honors the pillars that have upheld its values and vision.
Among those, Mr. Jacinto Candole, Jr., affectionately known as Kuya Junior, stands out remarkably. Celebrating 35 years with RDF, Kuya Junior embodies a rare commitment seen in today’s fast-paced world, where spending over three decades with a single company is as extraordinary as it is inspiring.
Kuya Junior’s career at RDF vividly illustrates deep-seated loyalty and unwavering dedication. His journey showcases his personal growth and mirrors the company’s core values.
Kuya Junior being congratulated by Dr. Robert H. Lo (Founder and CEO) and witnessed by Mr. Jayson L. Villa (Chief Resource Officer)
Through the years, his experiences at RDF have shaped his career and stood as a testament to the kind of personal and professional development that the company fosters, making his story a beacon for all at RDF.
From Novice to Expert
Kuya Junior’s ascent from a fledgling employee to becoming one of the Area Supervisors for Poultry Operations shows a story of ambition fueled by continuous learning and leadership.
In 1989, he worked as an all-around helper under Dr. Robert H. Lo’s mother in their department store in Cubao. From handling appliances as a salesperson to picking up stocks, he supported all operations before moving to Red Dragon Farm in Pampanga, driven by curiosity and a desire for a less costly life away from Manila.
His early days were filled with diverse roles, from doing payroll computations manually to purchasing farm supplies and managing harvest operations as a checker, under the guidance of Dr. Robert H. Lo, or as Kuya Junior calls him, Boss Robert.
As an Area Supervisor, Kuya Junior’s role involves not just oversight of daily operations but strategic leadership that ensures each farm operates optimally and remains free from diseases. His career growth is a showcase of RDF’s commitment to nurturing its people, ensuring they evolve with the company, and leading its operations to new heights.
Overcoming Industry Challenges
The path has not always been smooth. The poultry industry is laden with challenges, notably the threat of diseases such as avian flu, and illnesses that can affect the other workers, and devastate productivity.
Kuya Junior has been pivotal in steering RDF’s poultry operations clear of such threats through meticulous management and proactive strategies. Given his vast knowledge about the avian flu and how fast it could spread, he and the other leadmen would make sure that when they were loading chicks in the farm, no one would leave the premises, or visit another one of the company’s farms. While the risk of a human contracting the avian flu was rare, Kuya Junior’s dedication to maintaining quality standards motivated him not to risk it.
Another example is during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kuya Junior was one of the workers who actively made sure that if one of the other leadmen was sick, that person would immediately go under quarantine. He would also inform other departments about it so that anyone considered a close contact would not spread the virus.
His approach to these challenges demonstrates RDF’s dedication to maintaining high standards of food safety and operational excellence, ensuring a stable supply of products to the market.
Cultivating Future Leaders
Leadership at RDF goes beyond managing resources—it’s about nurturing talent and empowering individuals. Kuya Junior embodies this philosophy, dedicating himself to mentoring the next generation of farm managers.
“Kung mahal mo ang trabaho mo, magtitiwala sayo yung mga katrabaho at mga boss..” (If you love your work, your coworkers and supervisors will trust you)
His methodical yet compassionate leadership style helps new employees not only understand the intricacies of farm management but also inspires them to take initiative and lead with confidence.
This nurturing trait aligns with RDF’s mission to support and develop its workforce, ensuring a future as promising as its present.
The Bonds of Support and Success
Why has Kuya Junior remained committed to RDF for over three decades?
The answer lies in the supportive and enriching environment RDF provides. The encouragement from leaders like Boss Robert has instilled a sense of belonging and loyalty in him.
Back when he worked directly under Boss Robert, Kuya Junior recalled always being motivated by him to strive harder and aim higher with his goals. Even going so far as to tell him that his career should not end with just being a regular employee, and to work hard maybe even be an entrepreneur himself.
This relationship has enabled Kuya Junior to thrive, reflecting RDF’s culture of mutual respect and support, which is fundamental to its success.
Growth Through Learning
At RDF, growth is continuous. Kuya Junior’s professional journey has been marked by numerous training programs designed to enhance his skills and leadership capabilities. These trainings have equipped him with the technical skills required for his role and also life lessons that transcend the workplace. Kuya Junior shared that many of the lessons he has learned from workshops and trainings involved solving problems and how one could help guide others to become leaders.
“Yung mga natutunan ko, dadalhin ko na sa pagtanda..” (The lessons I’ve learned, I would remember them until I grow older)
His story is a beacon for RDF’s commitment to employee development, illustrating how the company invests in each individual’s success.
Making a Mark on RDF
Kuya Junior’s contributions to RDF go beyond routine supervision; they have been transformative. His efforts in optimizing farm operations and implementing safety protocols have significantly reduced risks and enhanced productivity.
His leadership has achieved operational targets and also fostered a culture of safety and efficiency that others aspire to emulate.
Celebrations and Comradeship
The camaraderie at RDF, cultivated by shared experiences and collective achievements, is vivid in Kuya Junior’s favorite memories.
From small gatherings to celebrate farm achievements to international trips with colleagues, these moments highlight the joy and unity that permeate RDF’s culture, and foster a sense of family and shared success.
Kuya Junior with his wife & children
He fondly recalled a memory back when the company was just starting and there were fewer farms. Every time he and his team would reach their targets, they would be encouraged by Boss Robert to go out and celebrate.
“Kahit na tumatanda na ang katawan ko, napamahal na ako sa trabaho ko, napamahal na ako sa RDF..” (Even though my body is getting old, I have fallen in love with my work, I have fallen in love with RDF)
Even as Kuya Junior contemplates retirement, his deep affection for RDF and his role remains undiminished. Despite his advancing years and suggestions from others to retire, his love for the job has only grown. RDF has not just been a workplace for him; it has been a means to provide for his family, support his children’s education, and secure financial stability by purchasing property.
Further cementing his legacy at RDF, one of his children, who holds a degree in Business Economics, has joined the company, eager to learn and grow within the same environment that shaped Kuya Junior’s prolific career.
A Beacon for the Future: Inspiring the Next Generation
As RDF Feed, Livestock & Foods, Inc. continues to celebrate its milestones and look towards the future, the story of Mr. Jacinto Candole, Jr. stands as a beacon of dedication and leadership.
Over the past 35 years, Kuya Junior has not only contributed significantly to RDF’s growth but has also inspired a culture of commitment and excellence that resonates throughout the company. He is incredibly overjoyed by being the recipient of the company’s loyalty award, delighted by just how much the company has trusted him thanks to his hard work and dedication.
“Masaya ako sa 35 years, at kahit 51 years old na ako, masaya din ako na malakas pa ako at kaya ko pa magtrabaho.. Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa RDF, at hindi mapapantayan yung saya ko..” (I am happy with my 35 years in the company, and even though I am 51 years old, I am also happy that I am still strong and can still work. I am very grateful to RDF, and my joy is incomparable)
Looking ahead, he thinks about starting a family business back in his hometown in Samar or remaining connected to RDF even in retirement by being a poultry supplier.
As we honor his legacy, Kuya Junior’s story will undoubtedly inspire current and future generations at RDF to carry forward the torch of excellence and unwavering dedication.