What happens when a world-class pastry chef returns home to chase a dream? For Grace C. Aquino (photo below), it meant transforming a lifelong passion into a thriving chocolate business that is now making waves in Cebu.

Ms. Aquino of Dahlia, a Filipina chocolatier, stands proudly in her Cebu shop, showcasing chocolate creations and pastries.

Ms. Grace C. Aquino, a Filipina chocolatier and former owner of a pastry shop in California, made the bold decision to return to Cebu after 20 years to be closer to her family and focus on her passion for fine chocolates.

On October 24, 2023, she established Dahlia Chocolates Trading and, together with her husband, Mr. Marlon Aquino, formally opened their store at Copenhagen Main Residences Bldg., A.C. Cortes Ave., Alang-Alang, Mandaue City, Cebu, in July 2024. She named her business Dahlia, symbolizing “grace under pressure” or resilient grace—an ethos that embodies her journey.

Dahlia Chocolates is dedicated to crafting bean-to-bar chocolates, a process that involves making chocolate from scratch using high-quality locally sourced cacao beans. Each piece is handcrafted into luscious European-style confections without compromising on quality.

Grace takes pride in working directly with Filipino cacao farmers to ensure ethical sourcing and premium quality ingredients. Her dedication goes beyond making fine chocolates—she also invests in training her staff, ensuring that her knowledge and craftsmanship are passed down to the next generation of chocolatiers.

Starting from scratch, Grace faced numerous challenges, including finding buyers, marketing her brand, addressing packaging and labeling issues, and establishing reliable cacao bean supplier connections. These obstacles affected production schedules, product quality, and cost efficiency, making it difficult for Dahlia Chocolates to scale up.

In September 2023, she encountered the Department of Trade and Industry – Cebu (DTI-Cebu) and was introduced to the Cebu Cacao Industry Development Council. She proactively sought mentorship and support from DTI-Cebu’s Cacao Industry focal persons, who helped her connect with trusted cacao suppliers, buyers, distributors, and cacao processors.

She also actively participated in DTI-facilitated meetings, training sessions, and product development seminars, including those on cacao processing and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which further enhanced her knowledge and business operations.

With unwavering passion and the support of DTI, Grace successfully transformed her business. She increased her production capacity from small-batch production to 100 kilograms per month. As a result, her monthly sales revenue grew to Php 350,000. By streamlining supplier connections, she also reduced production costs, making her operations more efficient. Additionally, she expanded her market reach through strategic partnerships, allowing her products to reach a wider audience. Her success has also led to job creation, as she grew her team from just one employee to three skilled staff members.

Dahlia Chocolates display case with assorted chocolates, macarons, and menus in a brick-walled shop highlighting local jackfruit flavors.

As her business scaled up, she expanded her product line to include dark chocolate-coated jackfruit, a uniquely Filipino offering. Dahlia Chocolates also secured partnerships with high-end resorts, such as Sheraton and Mövenpick, as well as Nary’s Studios.

Her dedication and innovation were further recognized when she won Second Place at the Mandaue Investment Promotions Tourism Action Center (MIPTAC) Business Innovation Startup Competition.

Reflecting on her journey, Grace shares, “DTI’s support was instrumental in my business growth, not only in terms of resources but also in the valuable knowledge and industry connections I gained. Moving forward, I plan to upgrade my equipment and increase production capacity to create more premium chocolate products within the next 3-5 years.”

She remains open to future collaborations with DTI-Cebu for additional market exposure, financial assistance, and business development programs.

While Grace’s entrepreneurial success is built on hard work, craftsmanship, and strategic partnerships, she credits her husband for being her constant pillar of strength in running the business.

For those eager to experience gracefully made, high-quality Filipino chocolates, interested buyers and distributors may visit their Facebook page: Dahlia Chocolates or website: dahliachocolates.com.
For more information on locally made products, visit DTI Region 7 Central Visayas and DTI Cebu Facebook page. ♦

Date of release: 18 March 2025

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