For Gramworth Enterprises chief visionary officer Melanie Medrano, creating Cacaomistry Instant Cacao Mix was as much about family as it was about business.
A chemist by profession and a mother by heart, Medrano launched Gramworth Enterprises during the COVID-19 pandemic to help augment household income while creating nutritious products her children could enjoy.
The result was Cacaomistry Instant Cacao Mix with prebiotics—a convenient and healthier take on traditional tsokolate.
“As a chemist, I’ve always been drawn to understanding how things work. When I encountered local cacao, I saw both its potential and its gap,” Medrano says.
“We have high-quality cacao in the Philippines, but it wasn’t always accessible or appreciated in everyday life. That inspired me to develop products that make tsokolate more convenient, consistent, and relevant for modern consumers like myself and my kids,” she adds.
Growing demand
The Philippines has steadily gained recognition for producing quality cacao, with Davao accounting for around 80 percent of the country’s supply. Other regions, however, are also cultivating cacao trees and contributing to a growing local chocolate industry that is increasingly attracting both domestic and international markets.
This expanding industry opened opportunities for homegrown brands like Cacaomistry to transform locally sourced cacao into value-added products while supporting farmers and rural communities.
Driven by her vision, Medrano forged partnerships with cacao farmers and suppliers nationwide to source cacao ethically and sustainably.
“We work with cacao suppliers from different regions in the Philippines, and we remain open to sourcing from new origins as well,” she says.
“Our approach is to create consistent demand for locally sourced cacao through our products. By doing so, we help provide market opportunities for farmers and suppliers.”
Gramworth Enterprises positions itself not only as a food manufacturer but also as an advocate for Filipino craftsmanship and ethical trade practices.
“Committed to ethical trade, we support these farmers who showcase Filipino craftsmanship. Cacaomistry reflects my dedication to quality, integrity, and the heartwarming spirit of Filipino chocolate-making,” Medrano writes on the company’s website.
Industry challenges
Despite growing global demand, the Philippine cacao industry continues to face major challenges, including limited access to quality planting materials, low cacao bean supply, labor shortages, and gaps in farm management.
Industry stakeholders have also warned that increasing international demand for Philippine cacao, amid a global shortage, may strain local supply if production is not expanded sustainably.
For Medrano, supporting local farmers goes beyond sourcing raw materials. By establishing stable relationships with suppliers and creating reliable demand, MSMEs can play a direct role in strengthening agricultural communities.
At the same time, Medrano acknowledges that small businesses themselves continue to face hurdles.
Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) account for 99.5 percent of businesses in the Philippines and are considered the backbone of the economy.
Yet many entrepreneurs still struggle with limited access to affordable capital, regulatory compliance requirements, and business expansion opportunities.
Gramworth Enterprises itself began as a small home-based operation, with Medrano handling product research, ethical sourcing, and business development while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship.
Community support
A key part of Medrano’s entrepreneurial journey was finding support through PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH), a community that empowers mompreneurs through mentorship, networking, and learning opportunities.
“Madiskarte Moms PH was a very important support system for me, especially during the early stages,” Medrano says.
“Through the platform, I was able to witness and learn from the experiences of other mompreneurs, and gain confidence in decision-making.”
“More than tools, it provided encouragement and relatability, which is very valuable when you’re growing a business from the ground up,” she adds.
Over time, Gramworth Enterprises expanded beyond its home-business roots and built a team that now manufactures, packages, and distributes products nationwide.
Apart from its cacao mixes, the company has also introduced products such as PhOligo Prebiotic powder, aligning with its goal of promoting healthier lifestyles while maintaining environmentally conscious practices.
“Whether it’s through tasting experiences or posting content to raise awareness, we aim to reconnect people with cacao in a way that is both informative and meaningful,” Medrano says.
Meaningful growth
The company’s growth recently earned national recognition after Medrano received the Diskarteng Angat (Scale-Up) award during the 4th Gawad Madiskarte Awards held last March.
The annual recognition program by PLDT Home’s MMPH honors Filipina entrepreneurs who demonstrate innovation, resilience, and business growth.
For Medrano, the award represented more than business success.
“I’m very happy and proud of my whole team. It affirms not just the business results, but the journey behind it—the challenges, the learning process, and the balance between entrepreneurship and family life and the teamwork we have,” she says.
“For me, the award also represents the community that supported us along the way. It’s both a milestone and a reminder to continue building something that creates value beyond profit.”
As more women-led MSMEs emerge across the country, Medrano believes empowering entrepreneurs can create ripple effects that extend beyond business growth and into community development and local industry sustainability.
For Gramworth Enterprises, what began as a mother’s desire to create a healthier drink for her children has evolved into a mission to elevate Philippine cacao while supporting Filipino farmers and families along the way. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
