16/08/2026
IN MEMORIAM.
+ Tita Charita Puentespina
Today, we honor and remember the remarkable life of Tita Charita Puentespina — a visionary leader, a passionate advocate for Filipino cacao, and the beloved Founder and Matriarch of Malagos Chocolate.
Through her unwavering dedication, she transformed Philippine cacao into a symbol of excellence, pioneering the single-origin “tree-to-bar” chocolate movement and bringing Davao’s cacao heritage to the world stage.
Her legacy goes beyond chocolate. She was a champion of farmers, a builder of communities, and a driving force in strengthening the cacao industry in Mindanao and the Philippines.
As the Key Founder and Former President of the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao (CIDAMI), she helped unite cacao farmers, cooperatives, processors, and industry partners toward a shared vision for a stronger and more sustainable cacao sector.
She also served as a Board Trustee of the Philippine Cacao Industry Council and the Philippine Cacao Industry Association, where she became a formidable pillar of national policy and industry development.
Her leadership contributed greatly to shaping the Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap, championing the Philippine Cacao Quality Awards, and advancing world-class post-harvest standards that elevated Filipino cacao producers to the global stage.
Her commitment to excellence led Puentespina Farms to become the first farm in the Philippines to receive the prestigious Heirloom Cacao Designation from the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund.
Her outstanding contributions to agriculture, entrepreneurship, and cacao development earned her numerous recognitions, including the Gawad Saka Outstanding Agricultural Entrepreneur Award, the Leaders and Achievers of Davao (LEAD) Award, and the Outstanding ASEAN Woman Entrepreneur Award.
Beyond the awards and achievements, Tita Charita will always be remembered for her humility, generosity, and unwavering passion for farmers, communities, and Philippine cacao.
She did not only build a chocolate brand — she built a legacy of excellence, innovation, and pride for the Philippines.
Thank you, Tita Charita. Your vision continues to inspire.
Your legacy will live on.
