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Ilocos Norte’s first dragon fruit farm recognized as among GGAA’s best PHL companies

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BEST DRAGON FRUIT SUPPLIER. Director Ramon Juanito Balunes, founder of the GGAA hand over a plaque and a certificate of recognition to REFMAD-V Enterprise in Paayas village, Burgos, Ilocos Norte, owned and managed by Mrs. Edita Aguinaldo-Dacuycuy during the awarding ceremony held at Manila Hotel, Centennial A Grand Ballroom on April 11, 2015. Also in photo is Dacuycuy's nephew, Boy Sunga. (Lei Adriano photo)


By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter

BURGOS, Ilocos Norte—The REFMAD-V Enterprise, the pioneer in organically grown dragon fruit plant in northern Philippines has been recognized as one of the Philippines best business ventures during the 2015 Golden Globe Annual Awards (GGAA’s) for Business Excellence ceremonies held at the Manila Hotel Centennial A Grand Ballroom in Manila on April 11.


Conducted by the National Data Research Examiner and Marketing Services Inc., in partnership with the Philippines Best Companies.Com Inc., Sinag News Magazine, and Sining at Gabay ng Buhay Foundation Inc., the annual event launched since 2007 recognizes outstanding local companies and Filipino achievers who excel in their respective businesses.

Among the set criteria for the said award include the following: Exhibit innovative business practices, deliver quality products and services, epitomize customer concern and engagement, exemplify a reputable and ethical business image, display excellent value proposition and pricing and serve truthfulness in business management.

The family-owned dragon fruit enterprise being managed by a multi-awarded farmer-scientist and innovative woman leader Edita Aguinaldo-Dacuycuy, 69, received the award on Saturday saying the unexpected award is another source of pride and inspiration to serve and share this blessing to everyone.

“It’s a manifestation that we are on the right track and we pledge to continue what we have started to help change people’s lives,” said Ms. Dacuycuy.  

The 10-year old enterprise which stands for Rare Eagle Forest Marine and Agricultural Development (REFMAD) continue to expand its business venture as thousands of foreign and domestic guests and visitors wanting to take a look and shop at the ever-growing 13-hectare dragon fruit plantation and resort with air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned cottages available for rent.

Inspired by a rare variety of cactus plant which did wonders to her daughter with a cerebral palsy, Ms. Dacuycuy said “our success is driven by our passion and commitment to inspire and uplift the living conditions of small farmers, housewives, out-of-school youths including persons with disability—by becoming a show window of science and technology-based farm, featuring a zero-waste farming practices, applying innovative technologies and capturing opportunities for profitable growth.”

Like Ms. Dacuycuy’s favorite motto, “always do the mission and commission will follow,” the family-oriented business has earned a reputation of producing world-class dragon fruit quality products being exhibited in international trade fairs and exhibits such as in Germany, New Jersey, Thailand, Macau, Vietnam and Dubai among others.

Backed by the Department of Agriculture, REFMAD enterprise is set to represent the Philippines best products again, this time, in Toronto, Canada on April 28-30, 2015.

Aside from assisting local farmers and businessmen to engaged in dragon fruit farming, the Dacuycuy farm is also engaged in the production, processing and transport of fresh dragon fruit that comes with several value-added products such as dragon fruit ice cream, wine, shanghai, tea, vinegar, cookies, jam, pickled fruits and soap bars.

Among Ms. Dacuycuy’s notable awards include a presidential award conferred by President Aquino in Malacañang as the most outstanding high-value commercial crop farmer in 2011, outstanding lady entrepreneur in Go Negosio and one of the world’s innovation woman leader during the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-Women and Economy Summit in San Francisco, California, USA and served as one of the panelists of leading women innovators across the globe.
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