Merkado: Theo & Philo – Bold Filipino Chocolate That Tastes Like Home

At IFEX 2025, I finally got to meet one of the founders of Theo & Philo Chocolates, a proudly Filipino bean-to-bar brand known for its bold local flavors and strong roots in social impact. From adobo milk chocolate to green mango dark bars, every bite tells a story—and I’ve been telling it in my entrepreneurship class for years.

I made a beeline for their booth and was lucky enough to meet Philo Chua himself—approachable, warm, and quietly brilliant. He shared the story behind the name: Theo, from theobroma cacao, and Philo, from philos, meaning love. Together? Chocolate and love. Pretty hard to beat.

As a fun bonus? The brand name also doubles as a nod to the man behind it—Philo Chua.

Philo explained that one of their brand's missions is to incorporate authentic Filipino flavors into their chocolate lineup—no gimmicks, just bold, proud Pinoy creativity. I personally love their:

Dark Chocolate with Green Mango and Salt; Milk Chocolate Adobo; Dark Chocolate with Black Sesame, Cashew, and Pili; and, Dark Chocolate Covered Cashew and Honey

All uniquely Filipino. All unforgettable.

We also talked pricing. Yes, Theo & Philo chocolates cost more than the usual bars you find in stores—but for good reason. These are real chocolates, made through a meticulous bean-to-bar process using single-origin cacao from Davao, not cocoa powder. The result? Richer flavor, deeper character, and a whole lot more purpose.

Behind the bars is a heart for community. Theo & Philo partners with Gawad Kalinga to source cacao beans, paying above-market prices to farmers and helping them increase their income through a tablea-making project. It's a social enterprise in the truest sense—impact you can taste.

And can we talk about the packaging? The kalesa logo, the patterns, the textures—each wrapper is a canvas. It’s thoughtful, cultural, and gift-worthy. I asked if they had international branches, and Philo said not yet. But many Filipinos bring Theo & Philo chocolates abroad as pasalubong. No surprise there—these bars travel well and speak volumes.

🎁 Craving a bar of love and local flavor?

Theo & Philo isn’t just chocolate—it’s craft, culture, and community in every square. From Davao farms to carefully designed wrappers, every bar tells a story we can proudly call our own. It's proof that Filipino products can be world-class without losing their soul.

So the next time you’re thinking of gifting something meaningful—or just treating yourself to something unapologetically Pinoy—go for a bar that represents passion, purpose, and a whole lot of flavor.

Support local. Savor bold. Share proudly.

Follow Theo & Philo Chocolates on Facebook:
👉 facebook.com/theoandphilo

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