FROM FARM TO FAME: YOUNG BENGUET FARMER CHAMPIONS INNOVATION IN PH COFFEE

May 18, 2025 Community Billboard

ADUYUN FARM: Where coffee dreams come true… a testament of dedication and craftsmanship in coffee farming. Rodyio Tacdoy,21, proudly holds his awards after bagging 1st Place and Best Natural Processing Method. The farm, located in Sitio Talingguroy, Wangal,La Trinidad,Benguet ,shows well-maintained coffee drying bed .

Text by Janieca Edejer / UB-Intern/Photo courtesy of RodyioTacdoy

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

Rodyio Tubal Tacdoy, 21 years old is making waves in the Philippine coffee industry—not only for his award-winning beans, but also for his forward-thinking approach to farming and his passion to uplift his local community. Based in Sitio Talingguroy, Wangal, Tacdoy
manages Aduyun Farm, a serene space nestled beneath pine and alnus trees where Arabica coffee thrives. This year, his hard work bore fruit when he won First Place in the Arabica – Small-Scale Farms Category and the prestigious Best Arabica (Natural Process) award at the
2025 Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC). With a cupping score of 84.32 and tasting notes of floral, tropical fruits, and lychee, his coffee captured the attention of both local and international buyers.

Tacdoy’s journey began with a turning point in his family. “Noong 2015, may nagtuturo sa lolo ko ng coffee processing. Kakagraduate ko
lang noon ng elementary. Wala akong pakialam sa kape noon. Ang focus pa namin noon ay sayote. Nagbago lang noong 2019, nung naaksidente si papa gamit ang motor at hindi na makabuhat. Summer din noon at natigil magbunga ang sayote. Naisip ni papa na ipagpatuloy yung kape ni lolo. ‘Tumigil si lolo noon dahil walang gamit. Kami na ang nagpatuloy. Hanggang sa may nagyaya sa amin na sumali ng coffee competition. Tinulungan kami ni lolo maghanda ng entry. Nanalo kami ng second place. Doon nagsimula ang kape
journey ko.” What began as a necessity has since evolved into a calling.

Tacdoy continues to improve his craft through constant experimentation. While his farm already uses Natural and Washed methods, he’s now integrating anaerobic Fermentation, a cutting-edge technique that enhances flavor depth and consistency. His ability to combine tradition with innovation is a reflection of the growing professionalism within the country’s specialty coffee movement. The impact of his efforts is more than just recognition—it’s financial empowerment. His green coffee beans were recently sold at P 9,900 per kilo, a figure that left many in awe. “Sobrang saya ko. Kasi nung time na yun, ang highest bid price pa lang ay P5,000. Noon, hindi ko pa afford ang
equipment. Ngayon, kaya ko na. Feeling ko nakuha ng buyer yun kasi sa lasa. Kailangan mo talagang aralin ang lasa ng kape. Hindi lang basta kape—dapat may profile.” But beyond personal success, Tacdoy has his eyes on the bigger picture. He envisions Aduyun Farm as a training ground for future farmers and hopes to give back to the community by equipping others with the tools and knowledge they need.

Tacdoy’s story is not just one of triumph in competition— it’s one of purpose. From being the youngest participant in last year’s PCQC to becoming one of its most celebrated champions today, his journey proves that age is not a barrier to excellence, and that true success lies in serving others while mastering one’s craft. With each cup brewed from his beans, Rodiyo Tacdoy is not only putting Benguet coffee on
the map—he’s sowing seeds of change for generations to come.

Janieca Edejer/UB Intern