No Juan Is An Island

When was the last time you did something for the first time?
For me, that moment happened just the other day, tucked away in the cozy, pine-scented air of Camp John Hay. I finally got to tick a major, deliciously unique experience off my crafting bucket list: chocolate painting.
Yes, you read that right. Not painting with a chocolate-brown color palette, but actually using chocolate as both the canvas and the medium. And the best part? The entire masterpiece was 100% edible.

The Canvas and the Palette
The workshop was a sensory dream. Our “canvases” were premium, smooth chocolate blocks sourced directly from Kokomo Chocolat. If you aren’t familiar with them yet, Kokomo is a brilliant artisanal brand based right here in Baguio City. They are known for elevating local chocolate-making into an art form, crafting bean-to-bar creations that celebrate rich, deep flavors.

Instead of traditional acrylics or watercolors, our palette consisted of melted, velvety cocoa butter infused with vibrant, food-grade dyes. Dip your brush, stroke it across the chocolate canvas, and watch your imagination come to life in vivid color. It felt delightfully rebellious to break the golden rule of childhood: yes, we were absolutely playing with our food.

The Perfect Baguio Setting
The venue couldn’t have been more perfect. The session was hosted at the Rebel Library Cafe, located inside the serene stretch of Camp John Hay, Baguio City.
If you’ve ever been to Rebel Library, you know it’s a haven for creatives, book lovers, and anyone looking to escape the hustle of the city center. Surrounded by towering pine trees, shelves lined with fascinating reads, and the gentle Baguio breeze, the atmosphere practically begged us to slow down and create. With a warm drink in one hand and a paintbrush in the other, the afternoon just melted away.

Art That’s Good Enough to Eat
I’ll admit, starting was a bit intimidating. There’s a unique pressure when it comes to painting on something so delicious! But as the facilitators from Kokomo Chocolat guided us through the process, the nerves dissolved into pure fun. Layering the colored cocoa butter onto the smooth chocolate surface was incredibly therapeutic.

The real test of willpower, however, came at the very end. Once the paint dried and the masterpieces were finished, we were faced with the ultimate crafter’s dilemma: do I frame it, or do I eat it?
Spoiler alert: The chocolate was too good to just look at. So, the moment I got baa k home, I took a bite out of my own artwork was easily the most satisfying conclusion to any craft project I’ve ever done.
If you’re stuck in a routine and looking for your next “first time” moment, keep an eye out for local workshops like this. Baguio’s creative scene never ceases to amaze me—and this time, it tasted incredible.