Each person who has come to know how valuable it is to preserve the remnants of the majestic criollo we have received from the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade some 453 years ago.
We are steadfast with the search and continually look for backyard cacao trees that were lost in time.
Once we find more, we teach these owners to propagate them. Its the only way to give thanks to history and that “magical chance” that the heirloom cacaos have continued to flourish in our country. We also thank that our country is in the sweet spot of the equator where no country can duplicate.
Join us as a member and we can help answer the heed to alleviate poverty. It is our land. It is our future.
http://plantaciondesikwate.com/individual-membership/
JOIN US.
A micro batch of Filipino Aromatico Fermented Dried Cacao Beans from Silay Highland Negros Occidental being prepared for shipment to Japan. Together with the very proud PDS farmer ‘Nong Dolping and Emmanuel Villarenia. ????
Liboron, Calape, Bohol – September 26, 2017| Our Cacao Icons, Mr. Mel Santos and Mr. Chris Fadriga, visited Bohol for the CACAO POST HARVEST FORUM AND ECHO SEMINAR. They were invited for a speaking engagement by PDS Bohol Chapter Vice President Cecilia De Leon, a cacao nursery propagator, in collaboration with The Organic Street and its Filipino cluster extension, theorganicgroup.
The event began with fervent prayers for a good harvest. Respect for the Philippine National Anthem came next with Ms. Milet Olleras who conducted the National Anthem as well as the Bohol anthem.
Liboron, Calape’s Barangay Captain Ms. Maria Alma Origines welcomed the speakers and participants. 
Mr. John Edgar Luardo, PDS Bohol Chapter President gave the statement of purpose in line with the vision/mission of PDS as the national organization. He introduced the Chief Executive Offcer of Plantacion de Sikwate, Mr. Mel Santos, for a short talk on the Plantacion de Sikwate advocacy and how it can benefit the Boholano farmers.
PDS National President Mr. Christopher Fadriga shared an interesting and enlightening rationale on the importance of fermented beans and how it can support the needs and demands of local chocolatiers in a market-driven environment.
He was followed by Mr. Bern Karaan’s ‘farmer cacao experience’ with his 18,000 cacao plantation in Fort Justine, Sierra Bullones. He, later on, discussed the fermentation procedure.
Mr. Luardo gave his advice on how to open a cacao pod without using a jungle bolo or knife. Instead he showed how a makeshift cacao pod breaker can help small-scale entrepreneurs prepare their homemade tableas. 
The participants even had a cacao nursery tour to showcase the progress of the PDS-BrownSeeds Funding Program of Ma’am Cecilia De Leon.
The Golden Babies (Filipino Aromatico – Heirloom Cacao) that were found in nearby places in Calape were brought to the table and shown to participants. 
Certificates of Appreciation were given to the speakers of the event. Mr. Mel Santos, Mr. Chris Fadriga, and Mr. Bern Karaan. The rest of the participants also received their Certificate of Participation as well.
Mandatory Participant Group Photos 
Thank you to the Bohol Cacao farmers, coming from different nearby towns, who attended the seminar together with Provincial officers from the Department of Agriculture, Office of Provincial Agriculturist, DTI and ATI.
It is a golden rule that when an ascending vehicle is approaching another descending vehicle, the latter gives way. This is on the premise that the latter resides there and knows the route by heart.
It was a treat as the Cacao Troopers took their time to snap photos of SN-00032. Our guests Mr. Wataru Ikuta and Ms. Tsuruta from Japan, Mr. Tony Grafilo from Hawaii, Mr. Linus Lee from Singapore and Mr. Steven DeVries from Denver, Colorado USA gathered around in awe. (Photo Credits: Mr. Abe Reyes & Mr. Chris Fadriga)
Ants. These insects sometimes cause alarm to cacao farmers. For you see, these ants go near where sweetness is present. Those are not pod borers. The ants are after the sweet secretions coming from the mealy bugs and aphids.
The cut-test came to make sure of the authenticity of the cacao variety. Have we found yet another Snow White or was it Jack Black? 🙂
Of course, aside from the cut-test, we need to do a taste test! Mr. Steven DeVries did the honors together with the rest of the Cacao Troopers.
“Yes, it was sweet, alright!” He said. If you were wondering how the other cacao seeds were, all had white and pinkish white seeds! Hello Snow White!
While looking upwards, we found beautiful cacao pods that were a little too high to get. Well, we got to taste the lower level pods so that was it. 
PDS President Chris Fadriga was with Manong Dolping, PDS interim Vice-President for Negros Occidental the other day.
He recounts that part of ‘nong Dolping’s 2000 plus cacao seedlings planted about 3 years ago have started to produce pods and will start to harvest a few pods soon.
