What to expect in Cordillera's inaugural Chocolate Festival

Baguio City, Philipinnes – Cordillera Chocolate Festival is gearing up to make its debut in February, aiming to create a convergence point for cacao farmers and processors across the region.

Pioneered by Benguet Chocolate Queen Eva Ritchelle Padua, CEO of Dulce Chocolate Inc., the two-day chocolate festival seeks to not only unite cacao farmers and processors but also serve as a dynamic platform for business matching, fostering connections within the cacao industry.

Scheduled to unfold from February 14 to 15 at the BSU Gymnasium in La Trinidad, Benguet, the festival aims to assist farmers and processors in marketing their products.

The event will showcase various chocolate products created by entrepreneurs and micro-small and medium enterprises in the Cordillera region. It will also highlight the progress of the cacao industry in the region, emphasizing the ongoing need for support from pertinent government agencies.

Padua revealed that Benguet alone boasts over 1,000 cacao farmers and 20 processors situated in Itogon, Sablan, Kapangan, Kabayan, Tuba, and the City of Baguio.

Discussions on gathering accurate data for the Cordillera region are set to take place during the 1st quarter regional council meeting on February 13. Various government agencies are encouraged to participate.

Padua expressed her enthusiasm for the festival, aspiring for its institutionalization.

With an anticipated attendance of up to 350 cacao farmers and processors, alongside business owners from cafes and restaurants, the event is poised to be a grand affair.

The festival has garnered attention with the inclusion of Philippine Cacao Industry President Consul Armi Lopez Garcia and Benguet Congressman Eric Yap as principal guests.

The Cordillera Chocolate Festival is not just a celebration of cacao; it's a platform for unity, innovation, and the sweet taste of success in the thriving chocolate industry.