17/10/2025
๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐: ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ซ
๐ Waterfront Hotel | ๐ October 16โ17, 2025
If Day 1 was sweet, Day 2 was rich, layered, and nuttyโjust like a good bar of dark chocolate with coconut bits. Here's what went down:
๐ Cacao Exhibits Viewing
Delegates got their fill of eye chocoโliterally. From bean to bar, the exhibits showcased the best of Philippine cacao. Some folks may or may not have tried to sniff the display pods. No judgment.
๐ด Coconut Farming Deep Dive
We cracked open the science behind coconut-based systems through sessions on:
- Intercropping under coconut (turns out, cacao really loves the shade)
- Nutrient management for mixed cropping (because even plants need a balanced diet)
- Pest dynamics and auto-ecological approaches (a.k.a. how to outsmart bugs without losing your sanity)
๐ฌ SB Corpโs Message
Small Business Corporation reminded us that big dreams often start with small farmsโand smart financing.
๐ Testimonial from the Cacao Prince
Mr. Japhet Table, YFC awardee, shared his journey from humble beginnings to cacao royalty. His story? Equal parts grit, grace, and good farming.
๐๏ธ Messages from the Big Guns
We heard inspiring words from:
- ASEC Vinci A. Beltran
- Engr. Eduardo โEddieโ G. Guillen
- Director Junibert E. de Sagun of DA-IREAP PRDP
Each one echoed the same theme: cacao and coconut are better togetherโlike bibingka and hot tsokolate.
๐พ Farm Wisdom from Mr. Marvi Rafael Montecillo of Anitu Farm
He shared real-life practices of intercropping coconut with cacao and cash crops. His farm is basically the Avengers of agroforestry.
๐ GAP in Cacao Production
We wrapped up with a session on Good Agricultural Practices for cacao as an intercrop. Because good cacao doesnโt just happenโitโs grown with intention.
๐ก Moral of the day: If you plant cacao and cash crops under coconut, you donโt just get shadeโyou create synergy. And yes, that means extra income too.๐
CacaoCongress2025
