In the serene surroundings of Calamba, Laguna, the Auro Chocolate Factory Café is a place
where chocolate craftsmanship meets innovation. This premium chocolate haven is
where the magic happens, where cacao beans from Mindanao are transformed into
world-class, delectable creations. With a commitment to quality, sustainability, and a dash
of Filipino pride, the Auro Chocolate Factory in Calamba, Laguna, is a must-visit
destination for chocolate enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
A big thanks to Director Glenn, who worked his magic to set up an incredible visit for us
with the dynamic and passionate owners of Auro Chocolates from Pilipinas Oro de Cacao,
Wilson, and Jacky Go. Our group, made up of participants from the Department of
Agriculture – High Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP) Regional Field Offices
I-XIII, and BARMM had the privilege of touring their exceptional chocolate manufacturing
facilities located in Filinvest Technological Park, Calamba, Laguna.
One fascinating aspect we learned about Auro Chocolates is their commitment to sourcing
dry cacao beans exclusively from Mindanao. This choice is driven by the need for a
sufficient volume of beans. Moreover, Auro Chocolates has embarked on a noteworthy
venture – they’ve established their own 3-hectare experimental pure Criollo cacao farm,
situated just 15 minutes away from their chocolate factory. To oversee and nurture this
cacao mono-cropped farm, the company has brought in four fresh agriculturists trained
at UPLB, as well as sought the guidance of experienced local and Israeli consultants. This
team is complemented by the dedication of six farm workers. Their primary goal is to
achieve an impressive yield of 5 kilos per tree per season of top-notch organic wet beans.
Moreover, the field visit considered the inclusion of the marketing aspects of cocoa
produced through massive expansion, intercropping, and rehabilitation efforts under the
Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) and DA-HVCDP, as this is the
primary purpose of the activity linked to CFIDP. The national and regional coordinators
got the opportunity to benchmark the facility’s compliance with good manufacturing
practices, and other standards.
What’s truly inspiring about Auro Chocolates, aside from their contagious passion and
innovative, science-driven production and processing methods, is their unwavering
willingness to share their wealth of knowledge and experience. It’s clear that this sharing
is a testament to their commitment to maintaining a harmonious work-life balance that
many of us can only aspire to achieve. Furthermore, it’s hard not to be impressed by the
impeccable cleanliness and organization that envelops their factory from every angle, a
mark of their world-class standards. In a nutshell, Auro Chocolates embodies the essence
of being proudly Filipino and proudly synonymous with premium, savory chocolate!
HVCDP PMO
Enrique Dela Cruz
Maria Rabi Mendez
