From the CEO

I am thankful to our Almighty God and the Blessed Virgin Mary for granting me good health, supportive family and friends.

Thank you for the overflowing love and affection on my 72nd birthday.

With more years to come, I am dedicating my sharp mind to making better decisions. Reaching this milestone is not about slowing down; rather, it is continuing my SERVICE to the community the best way I can.

THEY SAY THAT LIFE BEGINS AT 40, after that? IT GETS BETTER AND BETTER AND BETTER!

Mel

Not a Happy Meal for Cacao

Hello cacao farmers! Just a few days ago we received an email regarding a pest. How to kill it.

It was not that easy to identify the pest but the first look, this name came out —MEALY BUG.

According to research, keeping your plants “nourished with the right amount of fertilizer and water can help prevent mealybugs. Mealybugs are attracted to over-watered and over-fertilized plants, so make sure your plants drain well and do not overdo their feeding and watering. Keep your plant areas clean and clear of debris.”

Spray with isoprophyl alcohol for instant death but that would be costly. There is cane vinegar available? Use that.

From Samar with ?

CHOCS ‘N BOXES

“Thank you Mr. Mel Santos and the @plantaciondesikwate for offering us scions from traditional Philippine criollo cacao varieties, you’ve done a great job of keeping our national flavor alive.

This particular Criollo variety was first brought to the Philippines by Spanish friars, a reminder of early colonial times but rather than being lost the remnants have been well preserved and is now being propagated throughout the archipelago.

Everything would not have been possible without Nestor Saludo who spearheaded the grafting of these Criollo varieties into our own cacao rootstocks. ⁣
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criollocacao #dairyfree #directtrade #philippinecacao #ethicallysourced #finechocolate #beantobar #glutenfree #healthychocolate #hotcocoa #localbusiness #organic #organicchocolate #beantobarchocolate #sugarfree #sugarfreelife #treetobarchocolate #veganchocolate

2023: Climate Change & Our Cacao

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Global climate models project a continued increase of temperatures and changes in the land. The ecosystem conservation
efforts will benefit the climate change impacts.

That is the overall dilemma of the production of chocolates. Our country, being right in the center of the equator, has strategies to follow as well.

Over the years, our association has cultivated a delicate variety called the Criollo. These are remnants from the cacao strain during the 1800s — the Manila Acapulco Galleon Trade.

We have gone near and far to locate mother trees bearing the white beans.

Since then, typhoons have bombarded our lands and brought us back several steps behind. the wet season is the time for planting however, being submerged in deep waters does not help. Even the dry season when we are scheduling to harvest doesnt even come regularly.

The change in our climate is indeed a challenge but we show optimism even though our land is experiencing the effects we are having now due to deforestations and carbon prints, we remain steadfast that the propagation of the Filipino Aromatico® continues.

2023 brings us hope and continued determination that we can overcome this difficulty.

Plant the Filipino Aromatico® and continue providing seedlings for everyone. Keep us in your minds that we are always here to educate and help as much as we can.

Schedule a meeting via Zoom or FB messenger for mini seminars with us. Better yet, always check on our page for schedules.