THE SWEET LIFE

Christian Valdes creates works of art that are not only delectable, but are the perfect nod to Filipino culture and tradition.

IT’S NOT EVERY DAY that you find yourself turning simple pleasures into a successful business. While many dream of turning their passions into a profession, Christian Valdes has done exactly that. A chocolatier with a love for animals, he opens up about living a well-balanced life. It’s no surprise that anyone he meets is instantly taken in by his presence. An achiever and a hardworker, he is motivated to chase his dreams, showing us how anyone can turn any interest into a career. And a meaningful one, no less. Reminiscing on how he got started in the chocolate business, Valdes shares: “That was really random. One of my hobbies before chocolates was bonsai. I guess it’s kind of an ‘old man’ hobby right?” He lets out a contagious chuckle before continuing, “I learned from a friend how to make chocolates, and then it just kind of blossomed from there. It went from being just a hobby to a passion of mine, and next thing I knew, people were ordering and responding really well to my chocolates.”

Having grown up outside the Philippines, Valdes was immediately inspired by Filipino traditions and flavors, infusing a little flair into an already overflowing chocolate market. He was able to break into the industry, and is effectively finding success with a distinguished concept. Choosing to be different while paying homage to the Philippines, CMV Txokolat gives the world a chance to catch a glimpse of our culture, likewise allowing Filipinos to get that sense of nostalgia with every delicious bite. He shares the story of a regular taxi ride that sparked the heavenly flavors behind one of his most popular confections, “Gin Pomelo”: “I was talking to a taxi driver, and this taxi driver says, ‘In my college years I was drinking pomelo Tang with gin.’ I wanted to capture that moment, and it works. Give (consumers) a little more of what it is to be Filipino, what it is to live in the Philippines.”

When he isn’t working, Valdes enjoys wake boarding, cooking, gardening, and spending some much-needed quality time with his “fur babies” Suzy who is three years old, and Darth who is two years old. Instantly brightening any room, Suzy and Darth are the perfect complement to Valdes’ persona—cheerful, warm, and charismatic.

Nobody can resist falling for their spunky and lovable personalities.

To be able to work and “play” is a lifestyle many aspire to throughout adulthood, and Valdes is living it. With his very own commissary just steps away from home, he can concoct, create, and envision the most delightful chocolate treats that are not just delicious, but eye-catching too. It is actual art perfectly wrapped in signature packaging sealed with the CMV Txokolat logo. A box of CMV is like having a taste of the Philippines. And Christian Valdes continues to take the world by storm, one sweet morsel at a time.

Suzy and Darth instantly brighten up the room with their spunky personalities. Valdes candidly shares: Suzy (three years old) “is the eldest.” “I love her to death. She is my panda dog; she has these black splotches around her eyes, so she looks like a panda. She got her name from when we first got her; she actually organized her bed before anything. She would line up her toys, and she would doggy-style wrap her blanket. So we were like, ‘Okay, this is Suzy homemaker!’” Darth (two years old): “We got her a year later, she was just the most adorable brown Shih-Tzu with a pink nose. She has so much personality. When we first got her, her fur was smashed into her face, so she looked like a storm trooper! That’s why I named her Darth Chocolate. She’s rambunctious, a lot of fun, she will follow you all over the place! She chases after your feet and nibbles on your heels!”

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