Giving matriarchal wisdom to DES (Du Ek Sam, Inc.) is Melecia Uy-Du, the COO of the fast-growing corporation, a position she holds since 1979. Before this date, it was her husband, Mr. Eksam Du, who piloted the fledgling company. With the death of her husband, she had to take over what had left off. Before the couple’s venture into the appliance and motorcycle retail business, they were primarily engaged in copra trading, with Jagna as their primary source. It was then well thought-out as a lucrative business since they were directly exporting copra to the United States, Europe and a few other foreign nations.
The 1970’s was dubbed as one of the Golden Age of their business. In 1979 the business was incorporated as DU EK SAM, INC. – after the Chinese name of the founder, Samuel Du, with Jagna being the principal office. The incorporation encouraged them into further expansion to the nearby towns and cities of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Occidental, Siquijor, Leyte, Bukidnon, Camiguin, and the island of Panay. The company received numerous acknowledgments and awards. DES was a recipient of the Kaunlaran Award, given by Sharp Philippines Corporation. The Kawasaki Motors Philippines Corporation recognized DES as Top Performer Awardee. The company was also awarded Third Place of Top Ten Honda Motorcycle dealers on for attaining the highest sales among the dealers all over the country in 2003.
Other awards were Top Sales Contribution Award by Sharp Philippines Corporation; Most Outstanding Area Sales Performance during the First Area Award for Central and Eastern Visayas; Top Provincial Dealer Award with Positive Growth for the fiscal year 2005, by Sony Philippines, Inc.; Recognition awarded by Honda Philippines, Inc. for indelible contribution to Corporate Social Responsibility, being a member of the society, and sensitive to the needs of the community and environment. For almost 50 years in the business and raising seven highly successful children, she has proven her worth dedication and commitment to the family, the people of Bohol and the neighboring towns in the Visayas and Mindanao.
