Davao farmer's cacao beans among Top 20 in the world

Davao-based cacao farmer Jose Saguban has bagged an award for his cacao beans!

Mang Jose's cacao beans were declared to be among the Top 20 best cacao beans in the world during the 2019 International Cocoa Awards held in Paris, France.

Pinoy chocolate company Auro Chocolate posted the announcement on its Facebook page.

"It’s been a long journey since we started working with Mang Jose who was trained by our resident expert Louie on quality and proper fermentation," it said. 

Saguban is one of the farmers who partnered up with sustainable chocolate company Auro Chocolate that sources its beans from local farming communities in Davao City.

The company was already ecstatic to learn that he made it to the Top 50 of the competition, so they flew him to Paris to receive his award.

"Little did we know he would make it to the Top 20 best cacao beans in the world, we have no words!" the post said.

"Thank you to Mang Jose for his hard work, dedication and motivation to keep getting better! What a great moment for the Philippines and Filipino farmers!" it added.

Congrats, Mang Jose!

—Angelica Y. Yang/JCB, GMA News