Raquel Choa, known as the chocolate queen, is the epitome of artistry and passion when it comes to chocolate. Stepping into her home is like entering a magical chocolate kingdom, where the spirit of Maria Cacao, a diwata from Philippine mythology, is alive and thriving. According to legend, Maria Cacao’s palace is located in a cave in Lantoy, Argao, Cebu, surrounded by her cacao plantation.
During your visit, you’ll be warmly welcomed by Raquel and introduced to her chocolate master, Edu Pantino. He will guide you through her enchanting home, where you’ll meet the chocolate princesses, Hannah and Angelie. Hannah, known as the “spiller of the beans,” educates visitors on the health benefits of cacao, while Angelie, a chocolate curator, provides entertainment and a truly multisensorial chocolate experience in the dining area.
Raquel’s connection to the legend of Maria Cacao runs deep. Her grandmother, Leonila “Nila” Canoog-Borgonia, would often tell her the story, and it was Nanay Nila who would give Raquel a cup of sikwate (chocolate drink) every day to give her energy for her long walk to school. It was at a young age of 7 that Raquel made her first perfect cup of sikwate. This familial connection to chocolate sparked something within her that eventually led her to become the Philippine Chocolate Queen.
Raquel’s journey to where she is today was not an easy one. She faced numerous challenges and took on various jobs, from garbage collector to laundrywoman, flower and candle vendor to factory worker, and even delved into fashion design and wedding planning. However, it was her friend’s statement about bringing their country with them wherever they go that ignited her idea of creating a uniquely Cebu and Philippine product. Remembering the tablea, a pure chocolate in tablet form, that her grandmother turned into sikwate, Raquel decided to pursue her passion for chocolate.
Through self-study and determination, Raquel became an expert in cocoa, from fruit to seed, and mastered the art of making tablea. Her dedication to her craft and her deep passion for cacao led her to become the Philippine chocolate sommelier and gain recognition worldwide. She represented the Philippines at the Le Salon du Chocolat at the United Nations in New York, where she mesmerized delegates with her performance of pounding cacao, making tablea, and presenting it as pure Philippine chocolate.
But Raquel’s work doesn’t stop there. She is the founder of Cacao de Filipinas Fellowship, which aims to uplift and empower local farmers by educating them on producing quality cacao and contributing to economic growth. It is her energy and excitement for cacao that fuels both local and international interest in handmade Philippine chocolate.
To experience Raquel in action is a truly theatrical and enchanting journey. She lives and breathes her title as the Philippine Chocolate Queen, constantly pushing boundaries and bringing pride to her country. Follow her inspiring journey on Instagram and Facebook @iamreggieaspiras or visit her website reggieaspiras.com.
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