10/08/2026
New Star Phils, thank you for beautifully capturing the essence of The Chocolate Queen’s philosophy and the deeper purpose behind our chocolate journey. Your words truly reflect the passion, artistry, and vision at the heart of what we create. 🤎☕️🙏
Beyond Chocolate: The Calling of Raquel Choa
For many, chocolate is a beloved indulgence. For Raquel Choa, it is something far greater—it is the instrument of her calling.
Known for her unwavering passion for cacao, Raquel has dedicated her life’s work to a mission she simply calls the 3Cs: Creator. Country. Cacao. Every step of her journey is rooted in honoring God, serving her the Philippines, and sharing the story of cacao with the world.
An artist by heart and soul, Raquel often says, “Chocolate is my medium.” Through chocolate, she paints stories of heritage, culture, faith, and identity. Every cup of tsokolatè, every handcrafted tablea, and every chocolate experience she creates carries the spirit of the land and the people behind it.
Her journey, however, did not begin in a chocolate factory or culinary school. It began in the mountains of Cebu, where, at the age of seven, she was first introduced to cacao. What seemed like a simple childhood encounter would quietly plant the seeds of a lifelong purpose.
Years later, in 2008, Raquel experienced a defining moment when she realized that cacao—the fruit she had known since childhood—is the very heart of chocolate. That realization transformed her perspective. Chocolate became more than a craft or a business; it became a language through which she could share Philippine heritage, empower farming communities, creating new business opportunities and build bridges across cultures.
The path has not always been easy. It has demanded faith, courage, resilience, perseverance, and countless sacrifices. Yet when people commend her determination, Raquel gently redirects the praise.
“I call it grace.”
For her, every opportunity, every challenge overcome, and every milestone reached is a reminder that purpose unfolds through God’s grace.
Today, Raquel continues to bring Philippine cacao to the international stage—not merely to promote a product, but to celebrate a nation, preserve generations of tradition, and inspire meaningful conversations through chocolate.
On August 12, she embarks on another significant chapter as she has been invited to deliver a presentation at the World Affairs Council Speaker Series in Las Vegas through the invitation of Immediate Past President Consul Lena Walther (Sweden) and Honorary Consul Astra Juliana Michels (Lithuania). The gathering reflects how cacao has become more than a commodity—it has become a platform for cultural diplomacy, friendship, and global collaboration.
For Raquel Choa, Beyond Chocolate is more than a personal philosophy. It is a movement that reminds us that purpose can begin with something as humble as a cacao bean. When nurtured with faith, love, and grace, it can transcend borders, connect people, preserve heritage, and leave a legacy for generations to come.
