Farmer from Luna, Apayao is national grand winner at 50th Gawad Saka Awards

Luna, Apayao - Rey C. Duldulao (64), won in the Outstanding Small Animal Raiser category of the 50th Gawad Saka Awards of the Department of Agriculture.

In his statements following his acceptance of the award, Duldulao regarded his recognition is but a substantial part of his ultimate vision and advocay - which is helping his fellow farmers attain their full potential. 

‘‘I am so honored to have been recognized, but this is not all. I deemed this award not as my highest achievement but ‘’(an) ongoing success,’’ he said emphasizing that to him, the real essence of being successful in agriculture is living a life that influences and benefits others.

“Kurang pay dagiti achievement ko, kayat ko nga tuntunen ti highest level ti success ti maysa a farmer tapno mainspire ko dagiti padak nga mannalon, ket daytan to ti legacy nga maiambag ko,’’ he added.

Rey, the first born among six (6) siblings from their farmer-parents grew up with agriculture dear to his heart. He has been devotedly immersed in farming since he was fifteen (15) years old. He was married to Evelyn Agtarap Duldulao and blessed with two (2) sons and a daughter, who are now assisting in the family-operated Revelyn Duldulao’s Farm.

In his interview with Guru Press Cordillera, the National accolade conferred to him on June 30, at the Philippine Rice Research Institute in Nueva Ecija was far from his expectations.

Duldulao is a graduate of Civil Engineering but had greater passion for agriculture. Propelled by it, Rey and his wife started a backyard farm, underwent various trainings and decades later transformed into a more than one (1) hectare. It was named Revelyn Duldulao’s Farm in 2015- an ATI Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) offering trainings on Organic Agriculture Production NCII accredited by TESDA. It has been operated in partnership with the Department of Agriculture. Currently, the farm employs integrated farming - raising of chicken and ducks, vegetables, rearing of tilapia,  and sheep production.

Duldulao was among the first batch beneficiaries of the Apayao PLGU’s Farmer Livestock Programs (FLP) through PVET. He was granted with 6 sheep, and now has produced and disposed nearly 300 sheep. For sustainability’s sake and limitation of space, he only tends 25 ewes and 1 ram.

Prior to the national awarding, a regional screening for the 2025 Gawad Saka regional nominees in CAR was implemented yielding 12 regional finalists including Rey C. Duldulao for the Outstanding Small Animal Raiser category.

As advocate of organic farming, Duldulao encouraged farmers to utilize and maximize the richness of agricultural lands while adopting modern technology to ensure enhanced benefits.

“I sincerely advise my fellow farmers nga kitaen tayo ti daga tayo, it’s very productive and rich in texture, the raw materials are already there we have to identify. But along with it, makisabay tayo iti modern technology. Haan tayo lang agtaltalon traditionally para iti bagbagi tayo ngem pati iti sabali. There’s a demand that we have to fulfill, and when we met it adda met ti ambag tayo iti pada tayo,’’ he expressed.

Rey Duldulao’s example validates that passion in any chosen vocation when endowed with consistency and a good purpose leads one to triumph. “Follow your passion and I tell you you will succeed, it may not always be in the form of fame, wealth, or social status, but through contentment and fulfillment,’’ he stated.

The Gawad Saka is the highest recognition from the Department of Agriculture to stakeholders that honors and recognizes the invaluable and sustained contribution of Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, institutions, scientists, and researchers centered on agricultural development. This year’s Gawad Saka Award recognized 101 national finalists across the country.