Noel Barquera of Ormoc City turned his wife's modest desire for a bar of dark chocolate into a successful business venture. 

Noel and wife, Celeste, were surprised that their business took off, as it had begun as a mere craving while following the keto diet during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Barqueras are the visionary couple behind 'Alto Peak’ chocolates. They started in 2019 as a nano-business, crafting dark chocolate and tablea from locally sourced cacao beans that were dried, roasted for several hours, and ground into a rich chocolate paste.

Locally-produced chocolate

The devoted husband worked independently on their business with a small capital. He relied on his passion and dedication as an investment in pursuing the best and healthiest quality dark chocolate for his wife and the market.

Upon realizing the intricacies of making high-quality cacao products, Noel attended his first technical training in Davao City to learn from the pioneers and experts in the field. Within a few months, he kept the business momentum going and started producing his first batch of chocolates.

Their business needed an upgrade as locals began to discover its rich, intense flavor profile and a smooth, velvety texture that captured their taste buds. They expanded to a small-scale enterprise with additional branches and collaborations with some local shops.

The Alto Peak's dark chocolate is an excellent match with mango-dipped treats. The popular combo of puto and sikwate with mango will satisfy your sweet cravings. Moreover, their cocoa-based chocolate products can be a seasoning for your hot coffee to add a sweet flavor. You can dip bibingka, turon, and churros in it for some tasty sweetness. Additionally, you can try their cold sikwate.

Noel continued to learn how to navigate his business for growth and development. He utilized the knowledge he gained from participating in the Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) program of the Department of Trade and Industry in Eastern Visayas.

“For us, who are not into business-related courses, we do not have a built foundation for running a business, except that we run it with passion and grit. But, when it comes to technicalities, we don’t have the background. That is why the Kapatid Mentor Me program is a good foundation that helps us realize what to do next, what to do more, and what is lacking in our business plan or program,” Noel said.

Boosting entrepreneurial capacity

According to Anthea Aivi Borbon-Ancheta, Information Officer of DTI-8, the Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) has been implemented since 2016. This initiative was launched by the DTI and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) to assist the country's micro and small enterprises (MSEs).

She said the Mentor ME (micro-entrepreneurs) program is highlighted among the three key program components in Eastern Visayas. Under this program, mentees undergo a coaching and mentoring approach, where large corporations teach MSEs about business operations.

Mentees must present their business improvement plan at the end of the training sessions. Additionally, they will be able to expand their business in the market, which includes market matching and networking with other entrepreneurs.

Ancheta mentioned that Noel Barquera joined the KMME program because he was new to the business. He produces cacao-based chocolates in Ormoc City. Noel is one of a thousand who witnessed the program's effectiveness, which helped him immensely. He met several entrepreneurs, and eventually, his business network expanded.

“So far, this program from the department has positively impacted entrepreneurs. Having experts as mentors for the MSEs is a great help for them to innovate and receive assistance in developing the existing micro, small, and medium enterprises here in Eastern Visayas. This will enable them to become more competitive and expand their business networks,” Ancheta expressed.

Positive outlook in business

Noel managed to continue operating his business despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He never thought of giving up or losing hope because, according to him, these are not part of his vocabulary. Instead, he focused more on research, product development, and online selling.

“Kasi when you do business, dapat wala kang window for that eh. Dapat dere-deretso lang, focus lang, yung grit at saka yung passion mo, dapat consistent, dapat resilient ka eh. Kasi kung nasa isip mo, paano kaya kung ganito, tapos na una na yung problem wala ka naman lang inisip na solution for that, edi hindi ka talaga mag go-grow. Despite all those challenges in your business, you can stand and stay strong,” Noel emphasized. 

(Translation: When you do business, you shouldn't have a window for that. It should be straightforward: focus, your grit, and your passion should be consistent, and you should be resilient. Because if you're thinking, what if this happens, and then the problem comes first, and you still need to think of a solution, then you won't grow. Despite all those challenges in your business, you can stand and stay strong.)

He employed more people to help the community. He believed in a more inclusive type of business that involved local artisans in his products, such as weavers from Baybay, painters and prisoners from Abuyog Leyte for livelihood partnerships, and cacao farmers in assisting with the business process.

“The effect is exponential because you've helped a lot of people. What sets us apart from others is our unique story and the people behind us,” Noel said.

The Alto Peak can now produce around 800 kilograms to one ton of cacao-based products per month, depending on the occasion, unlike in the past when the production capacity was only 40 kilograms per month. Additionally, the business has transformed from an ordinary local Alto Peak manufacturing operation to having a cafe and other branches.

Alto Peak is making a name for itself in the chocolate industry. Their story is not just about satisfying a sweet tooth but about the passion and persistence needed to turn a simple craving into a successful business. (LDL/AAC/PIA Leyte)