Jey-an Laride, a local entrepreneur known for her scents and dedication to mental health awareness, expressed her motivation to innovate further. She produced chocolate-enriched scents and drinks that helped the health and wellness of her customers.

“Excited kaayo mi at the same time motivated para mas maka-innovate pa ta ug more products para sa Zamboanga del Sur na purely made from cacao. We created our products and innovation to supply good and quality products,” Laride said.

[We are very excited and motivated to continue innovating new cacao-based products for Zamboanga del Sur. We created our products and innovation to supply good and quality products.]

Key players such as Gasa Chocolates, Liana's Chocolates, and the Midsalip Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MIFAMCO) took center stage, showcasing the excellence and innovation driving the local cacao industry forward.

Dr. Leah F. Yu of Liana’s Chocolates shared her enthusiasm for the festival, emphasizing the importance of this kind of event in promoting local products and supporting the growth of the cacao industry.

“We are very grateful nga nahimo gayud ni nga festival kay tungod niini nailhan ang among products, at least nakabalo sila nga diri diay sa atong province naa diay cacao-based products nga world-class sab ang quality,” Leah said.

[We are very grateful that this festival was organized because, through it, our products gained recognition. At least now, people know that here in our province, there are cacao-based products with exceptional quality.]

What sets this festival apart is the infusion of creativity from the local artistic community. Artists from the Pagadian City Harmonious Interest and Devotion (PAHID) in the visual arts lent their support by creating captivating portraits that contribute to the promotion of priority commodities in the province.

PAHID artists and students actively engaged in art workshops, leveraging artistic expression to raise awareness and appreciation for Zamboanga del Sur's rich agricultural heritage. 

The workshop not only fostered creativity and innovation but also aimed to contributeto economic growth and sustainability within the local community.

“We feel really happy expressing our feelings through these paintings and thankful that we are given this opportunity,” said PAHID President Japhet Monsion.