COURAGE, COMMITMENT, and CAMARADERIE: CELOT’S 30 YEARS with RDF
RDF Feed, Livestock & Foods, Inc. celebrated its dedicated workforce at the annual Thanksgiving and Service Awards ceremony on December 16, 2025, recognizing 118 employees for shaping the company’s growth and identity. Among this year’s top awardees is Celedonio “Celot” B. Rosario, a steadfast leader in Poultry Operations whose 30-year journey embodies RDF’s core values of hard work, adaptability, and malasakit (care for others).
From a 16-Year-Old Newcomer to a Pillar of Poultry Operations
Celot joined an RDF farm in 1995 as a teenager seeking work to support his family. What began as a modest beginning evolved into a 30-year career, during which he grew from an all-around farm helper into one of the Poultry Division’s most dependable Support Services Coordinators.
His earliest memory on the job: the aftermath of Mount Pinatubo’s eruption, when lahar threatened the Maliwalu farms. He recalls:
> “Tanghaling tapat, rumaragasa na yung lahar. Sabi ni Boss Robert, ‘Takbo na kayo, iwanan nyo na yung manok!’”
> (It was midday, the lahar was rushing in. Boss Robert told us, ‘Run, leave the chickens!’)
Celot stayed to help move the flock to safety, a display of grit that caught the attention of RDF’s founder, Dr. Robert H. Lo. When Celot was initially sent home for being underage, he told Boss Robert:
> “Boss, kung uuwi ako, wala naman akong trabaho sa amin.”
> (Boss, if I go home, I won’t have any work to return to.)
That candid plea earned him a chance, setting the course for a career defined by perseverance and purpose.
Staying for 30 Years: Built on Purpose and Perseverance
Celot’s three decades at RDF have been marked by steadfast commitment. He has long kept the future in view:
> “Iniisip ko palagi yung kinabukasan. Lahat tayo may pangarap, yun ang nagpapatatag sa akin.”
> (I always thought about the future. We all have dreams; that’s what keeps me strong.)
Growing up with limited resources, he saw RDF as more than an employer—it’s a lifeline. Over the years, the stability he pursued began to materialize:
> “Natupad naman ang mga pangarap ko: nakabili ng lupa, sasakyan, at nagpapagawa ng bahay.”
> (Those dreams eventually came true: I bought land, a vehicle, and built a home.)
Celot’s journey highlights growth through embracing every role with mastery, trust, and leadership.
Mastering Every Role Through Hard Work and Heart
Celot has taken on diverse assignments—from caretaker and leadman to supervisor—and has consistently excelled in his long-standing role as Support Services Coordinator in poultry operations. He keeps farm operations running smoothly, handles engineering requests and inventory needs, and serves as a reliever for supervisors when needed.
> “Di kami tumitingin sa oras. Kung ano yung kailangan ng farm, yun ang uunahin.”
> (We never look at the clock. Whatever the farm needs, that’s what we prioritize.)
This customer- and problem-solving mindset is viewed as the backbone of poultry operations.
Colleagues recognize Celot’s reliability. Dr. Fabienne Balucas, Poultry Operations Manager, notes:
> “He can fill in anywhere. When assigned a task, he studies it immediately. He adapts fast, whether it’s processing requests or supporting the lead men.”
To stay current with industry modernization, Celot completed the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and TESDA National Certificate Level II, applying what he learned to enhance safety practices across farms.
> “Yung mga natutunan ko sa TESDA, inapply ko, lalo na sa safety. Dapat walang aksidente.”
> (I applied what I learned in TESDA, especially in safety. We must prevent accidents.)
Family, Camaraderie, and a Company That Grew with Him
Beyond professional milestones, Celot cherishes the relationships and sense of belonging at RDF. The camaraderie of decades is a significant reason he remained with the company. He says:
> “Kaya ako nagtagal ng ganito ay dahil sa mga kasamahan ko sa work.”
> (I lasted this long because of the people I work with.)
Three of his biological siblings also work at RDF, underscoring the familial ties within the organization. Celot is proud to have witnessed RDF evolve from a small group of farms to a technologically advanced company:
> “Maliit pa noon ang RDF. Ngayon, iba na. Masaya ako na naging bahagi ako sa paglaki nito.”
> (RDF was small back then. Now it’s completely different. I’m happy to have been part of its growth.)
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Legacy
Even after 30 years, Celot shows no sign of slowing down:
> “Hanggang nandito ako, ipagpapatuloy ko ang maibibigay ko sa kumpanya.”
> (For as long as I’m here, I will continue giving my best to the company.)
Celot Rosario stands as living proof that progress is built not only by systems and technology, but by people who show up, learn, adapt, and keep moving forward—day after dedicated day.