BOAC, MARINDUQUE — The sweet scent of cacao filled the air as 256 participants gathered at Balar Events Place on July 21, 2025, for the 2nd Marinduque Cacao Fair, marking another milestone in the province’s drive to develop its local cacao industry. Held in celebration of World Chocolate Day, the event brought together farmers, entrepreneurs, exhibitors, government agencies, and cacao advocates from across the province and beyond.
This year’s celebration, an upgrade from last year’s inaugural fair held at Bahay Kakaw in Panuluyan Farmstay, demonstrated even greater passion, partnership, and progress. The event was made more meaningful by the presence of DTI MIMAROPA Assistant Regional Director Rodolfo J. Mariposque and DTI Marinduque Provincial Director Roniel M. Macatol, who both reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting cacao as a priority industry under the government’s inclusive innovation agenda.
According to the DTI Marinduque study funded under Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), Marinduque is home to 1,110 cacao farmers (238 tenants, 80 farmworkers, and 792 landowners), with over 239,302 cacao trees planted across 2,032.153 hectares of land. These figures not only highlight the vast potential of the cacao industry in the province but also serve as a call to action to harness this potential through collaboration, innovation, and enterprise.
Organized by Ani ng Duque Agriculture Cooperative and Balar Events Place, in partnership with DTI Marinduque and the Marinduque Cacao Council, and supported by key national agencies including DA, DAR, TESDA, DOLE, DOST, CDA, PCA, and Marinduque State University (MarSU), the fair reflected the success of a true multi-sectoral convergence. In her welcome message, Ms. Lorie Uy of Balar Events Place emphasized the importance of “unity over competition,” calling for stronger alliances among cacao stakeholders to strengthen the industry’s value chain and collective impact.
Eighteen local exhibitors proudly showcased their cacao-based products, pastries, beverages, and artisanal goods — from traditional tablea to modern chocolate innovations. Featured exhibitors included Lumang Bahay sa Tres, Doughbouys Café, Chocobrandy, Bake Time, Casa John, Villa Negro, Panuluyan Farmstay, Buhay Isla, 10 y.o. Café, Casa de Don Emilio, Island Harvest Farm PH, Paca de Armando, Chinggay’s, Kristine’s Baked with Love, Girlie Moreno, Joy Serrano, Hannah Olano, and Sarangjin Keopi Hub. Together, these microentrepreneurs generated a total of ₱139,558 in cash sales, excluding additional booked orders — a solid indicator of the rising consumer appreciation for locally made cacao products and the economic viability of the sector.
Spearheading the cacao movement in the province is Sir Lenlie Lecaroz, a pioneer whose groundwork helped unify the community of cacao farmers. His legacy is now being advanced by the dynamic leadership of Ma’am Donna Lecaroz, the current Chairperson of the Marinduque Cacao Council, who is steering the sector with a clear roadmap and renewed vision. Under her leadership, Ani ng Duque Agriculture Cooperative continues to thrive, achieving financial milestones and managing the DTI Shared Service Facility (SSF) — the first chocolate processing factory in the region. This facility now powers the production of premium local chocolate products seen at the fair, and more importantly, uplifts the lives of cooperative members and cacao-growing communities.
More than just a chocolate-themed celebration, the Marinduque Cacao Fair 2025 sets a benchmark for industry-focused events that promote inclusive growth and rural development. With its success, the province now looks ahead to similar initiatives that highlight other priority industries such as arrowroot, handicrafts, tourism, and agro-processing. Through continued partnerships, empowerment of local producers, and promotion of homegrown excellence, Marinduque is ready to rise — one product, one industry, and one community at a time. ♦
Date of Release: 23 July 2025