cacao – PLANTACION DE SIKWATE CACAO PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

A Ratatouille Taste-imonial

Thank you Khalil Corazo for having a ratatouille moment when you tasted this simple craft chocolate bar from Christopher Fadriga.

To those who are new to this site, thank you for dropping by and reading through our cacao adventures. Chris Fadriga is Plantacion de Sikwate’s Chairman and National President.

He has a plantation, nursery, and training camp at Brgy. Atipuluan, Bago City, Negros Occidental.

Here is Kahlil Carazo’s article entitled ”Are these the Best Craft Chocolate Bars in the Philippines?”

Thanks for reading and we hope to have shone some rays of sunshine your way!

PDS Seminar Invitation at DA-ATI, Q.C.

Dear Cacao Friends of PDS, I have finally met the host Mr. Louie Tabing of Let’s Talk Agriculture (a radio segment at DZMM 630, powered by one of leading TV networks in the country, ABS-CBN) when we were invited to their seminar at the DA-ATI BUILDING in Quezon City.

I felt so happy to have been given the chance to present the PDS Way of Cacao Farming infront of close to a hundred participants this morning.

The crowd was so overwhelming! I felt like a Hollywood Superstar lol! My name cards were requested to have me sign an autograph on it. (wish I brought more though) 🙂

In behalf of Team PDS of Luzon Manny Carpio, Oji Reyes, Basil Bolinao, Zaldi and I, thank you so much for the warm welcome!

It was raining but it did not hamper the participants to attentively listen to our presentation. They learned the Search for Criollo, how to plant cacao, how much it will yield and who are the buyers of their harvested cacao.

I could talk for hours but it still went on overtime even after close to 2 hours of Q&As!

I am happy to have ignited the interest of our farmers who participated in the seminar.

Thank God we were invited for another guesting to the next seminar they will be hosting soon.

Kudos to our Technical Support Team, my fellow Members of the Board and to you dear cacao friend that inspite the stormy weather, your sunshine helped us share the PDS “Teach, Educate, and Learn” mantra on Cacao Farming.

Do follow us here and at our Facebook page for the date and place of the next seminar. Thank you everyone and happy planting!

MEL SANTOS, Chief Executive Director, PDS

A Day with Cacao Icons, Guests and Cacao Farming

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Last night, our Cacao Icons had some guests at Cebu City Marriott Hotel. They were so thrilled and excited to do cacao farming and a possible funding as well. Our Cacao Icons took pride in showing the Search for Criollo video and were surprised to have a received an applause and good reviews about it.

It was a series of meetings which started in the morning with saying hello to Ms. Emma Ramas, PDS BOD Secretary at SM Seaside.

Afterwards, they headed off to a nearby cacao plantation owned by Mr. Ernie Laurel. Where our guest inspected the cacao trees and pods. He was even shown the proper ways to do top grafting!

The following morning was Tagbilaran Bohol. Who could not visit the Philippines without seeing the Chocolate Hills? The guest of our Cacao Icons was toured at the cacao nurseries funded by Brownseeds PTE LTD.

The welcome drink. Hot chocolate! in the Philippines, we call our chocolate liquor as SIKWATE. The word SIKWATE is derived from a Visayan term meaning Cacao chocolate drink. Pair it with PUTO. To put it in layman’s terms, PUTO is a type of steamed rice cake usually served as snack or as accompaniment to mouthwatering hot beverages such as hot chocolate.

Plantacion de Sikwate President Mr. Christopher Fadriga, together with Ms. Cecilia De Leon showed PDS’ guest around their farm. Healthy and aromatic smelling cacao pods were displayed to be inspected and drooled upon.

Back to the Buena Venturada Farm, where owner Mr. Duke Miñoza, showed his W10 seedlings growing in the nursery.

Soon after, our cacao troopers went back to Cebu for a good dinner over a cup of hot sikwate before calling it a day.

Fermented Cacao Beans: Progression & Appearance

What happens to the cacao wet beans during fermentation?

PDS Training Camp, Antipuluan Bago City Update. 1/17/17

Our all white seed Criollo seedlings are waking up to meet the sunlight together with the UF 18 seeds intended to become rootstocks for W10 and Criollo for this year planting season. ? rise and shine, it’s a brand new day!

(Events) PDS Members to join PDS on October 12-13, 2016 at MMCC, Pasay

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Plantacion de Sikwate Cacao Producers Association Inc. was invited by the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC) through the help of one of our Founding Members, Honorary Ambassador of California, Dr. Yolanda Ortega-Stern, who has been appointed Honorary Investment and Trade representative by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as well as representative of Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry Incorporated (PCCI).

(Layout by Ms. Cacao)

Join us on October 12-13,2016 at the Manila-Marriott Convention Center, Pasay City. We are in Booth #35. NO REGISTRATION FEE. Just come in from 8am to 5PM!

Update:

PDS Members who are co-exhibiting on Oct 12-13, 2016 are:

Cacao de Davao Chocolocco Gourmet of Chocolate

(Affiliated Farms) Orient Farm is one of PDS’ Model Farms

Orient farm is our model farm in Davao, where Mr. Cacao brings PDS cacao visitors and investors.

Mang Leo, the farm supervisor, is a friend of Mr. Cacao who is always willing to listen from his advice regarding natural farming.

In 2015, Mang Leo used too much chemical inputs and chemicals to eliminate weeds in the whole farm until he listened to use mechanized grass cutters and apply microorganisms.

Mr. Cacao took pictures of the farm yesterday and was amazed to see when this farm became so successful in fruiting too much pods!

This is their story and we are sharing to you why CHEMICALS is not the RIGHT WAY to go. #TeamPDS, #caringforDavao, #cacao, #chocolate, #organic, #organicfarming, #photography, #photo, #natural, #nature, #naturephotography, #nochemicals, #chemicalfree, #microorganisms, #mechanizedgrasscutters, #TLC, #plantaciondesikwate

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