JRAG07252019 Rev 01

Press Release:
July 25, 2019

Tablea goodness and a brewed Tech innovation

One native town here in Iloilo blooms with promising heritage tourism with the likes of a
century-old church, shrine, and vibrant festival. Little do people know that the Municipality of
Cabatuan stands proud of its flourishing tablea industry.

Tablea is a local blend

chocolate perfected from
distinct quality and smoothness
of cacao beans. It is harvested
in the luscious highlands of Iloilo
where native brewers, dubbed
as cacao masters, have
handed-down their expertise
from one generation to the next.
The tablea is intricately formed
out of profound dedication and
synergy of skills attributed to
these farmers.
A hot chocolate beverage is a must try when visiting Sunbursts
Recognizing its vast
Balay Tablea.
contribution to the local
economy, the Municipality of Cabatuan propelled the passing of Sangguniang Bayan No. 030-
2012 which officially declared tablea as the alternative One Town One Product (OTOP)
commodity in Cabatuan. The municipal government likewise cherry-picked the brand name
“Tan Tono” as a tribute to its first gobernadorcillo.

Nowadays, Sunbursts Balay Tablea is the authorized manufacturer and distributor of Tan
Tono Tablea. Sunbursts owner Ms. Catherine Taleon swells with pride of its humble
beginnings.

“Actually, this business is just an accidental one kay nagpangita ang LGU sang ma-venture
sang tablea wherein gin-declare nila nga alternative OTOP. They asked me if I am willing to
market tablea sa city for a start, gin-accept ko ang ila request sa akon to sell tablea in the city.
”

The business is never a walk in the park or a piece of cake. The firm placed its trust on the
traditional process for tablea production. Such tedious, snail-paced process entailed much
time, hence having difficulties in coping with the orders and demands of the market.

Being the determined entrepreneur that she is, Ms. Tanaleon asked help at DOST for
technology upgrading. DOST heeded the call through the project “Product and Process
Improvement of a Cocoa Bean Based Processing Facility for Sunbursts Balay Tablea”.
Innovations in the treasured blend followed.

“When I had a chance to visit DOST, they offered to me Small Enterprise Technology
Upgrading Program (SETUP). I found out that it would help me in improving my product not
only in quality but also in terms of the quantity. I then accepted the proposal of upgrading.

“It really helped me in improving the product, the quality of the product as well as the
manufacturing and the quantity aspect of production.”
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Apart from the technology upgrade, the firm likewise stepped up its product packaging with
the newly-improved packaging materials. Production facilities such as emulsifier and heavy-
duty cocoa roaster was also be given.

Among of the equipment that comprised the project include planetary mixer, foot sealer, weighing
scale, stainless steel cabinet and stockpot.

DOST and the Department of

Agriculture also shared the same
passion with Sunbursts Balay Tablea
in terms of developing its pool of
human resource. Rigid training on
roasting, grinding, and packaging
was conducted along with the staff.

While some people find a business to

be a major pressure cooker, Ms.
Taleon, who is also a teacher by
profession, considers it as her
sanctuary. This is because of her
utmost commitment to promote and Ms. Catherine Taleon believes that technology married with
boost the consumption of Cabatuan business can contribute to the socio-economic growth of the
Local Blend Chocolate while communities.
providing livelihood to the
community.

Talk about brewing prosperity and community wellness, Sunbursts Balay Tablea is living up
to its dream of becoming a progressive business in Western Visayas. One can only be
optimistic that there would be plenty of business ventures sharing its success stories as
revolutionized by technology. (DOSTVI-KMU)