Here’s a summary of what we did and who supported us to promote local coffee and local talent:

January
25
A Living and Prosperous Income workshop was held at the UP School of Economics. The International Coffee Organization’s (ICO) Coffee Public Private Task Force sought the assistance of the ASEAN Coffee Federation (ACF) to provide this workshop to its member countries. The Philippines invited various groups. From farmers groups, corporate, government, and the academe, it became a multi-sectoral approach for the coffee sector.

26-27
PCBI Directors Alejandro “Andy” Mojica and Rene Tongson welcomed Apl de Ap at the coconut and coffee demo farm in Amadeo, Cavite. PCBI and PCA Region 4A started the demo farm last year to show how coffee and coconut can thrive together and be replicated in various parts of the country.

February
3
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippine Coconut Authority and the Philippine Coffee Board was held in Quezon City. Ambassador of the program, Apl de Ap, also signed and gave a mini-concert to the attendees.

4
The National Finals for the ASEAN Barista Team Championship (ABTC) 2025 was held at Enderun Colleges. Team Tablo (Champion from NCR) and Team Davao’s Finest (1st Runner-Up from Mindanao) won and represented the Philippines at the ABTC in Bangkok.

25
UP Open University invited PCBI to offer Philippine coffee to its International Symposium on ASEAN Studies guests.

March
5
The 2025 1st board meeting of the ACF Directors was held in Bangkok

6-7
At the 5th ABTC, Team Tablo advanced to the quarterfinals. Team Davao’s Finest was 9th out of the 18 teams that competed

14
PCAF National Sectoral Committee on Coffee was held online

23
GCash Eco Run was held at the Ayala Triangle. Lots of people lined up for coffee at the PCBI booth.

25-26
Jancy Kilayko gave a two-day coffee processing workshop in Dingle, Iloilo

27
Alaska Professional invited PCBI at WOFEX Drink+Bakes. Alaska bought local coffee which Jancy used for his demo.

April
8
PCBI was interviewed by FEATR media for its feature on local coffee. Erwan Heusaff talked with PCBI’s Chairwoman Chit Juan and Director Andy Mojica

24-25
Ms. Chit Juan was keynote speaker at the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) Breakfast. Tickets were sold out.

27
PCBI Technical Director Robert Francisco was invited by the Philippine Consulate in Jedah to talk about Philippine Coffee. The talk was given to celebrate Filipino Food Month.

May
17
World of Coffee was held in Jakarta and was attended by PCBI President Jerduen “Noi” Dongor and Directors Manny Torrejon, Andy Mojica, Rosario Juan, and Technical Consultant Professor Val Macanes. They were also invited by ACF friends in Jember where they learned and shared best farming practices.

27
Coffee Farm Establishment and Maintenance class of Dr. Andy Mojica

June
5
At PCBI’s Coffee Technology Center, directors inked a deal with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and taught them how to properly plant coffee. Seedlings were planted beside coconuts and its other companion trees. It is the first of many coffee planting nationwide.

11
The 4th MAFBEX Latte Art Throwdown had 48 participants. Winners were given cash plus prizes from Breville Philippines, Blu Coffee Distributors, and Alaska Professional.

13
Jancy Kilayko gave a demo on Local Coffee, Local Flavors at the booth of Alaska Professional. They also bought local coffee from PCBI.

In between these activities are our roasting classes and coffee farm tours.

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COFFEE 101: INTRODUCTION TO COFFEE
This course walks you through the world history of coffee, with an overview of the coffee journey from seed to cup. Information on the science of roasting and how coffee flavors come to life are also covered. The course tackles different brewing methods, with a primer on espresso and espresso-based drinks. A new addition tackles trendy alternative brewing methods like Aeropress, hand drip, and Chemex, among others. News trends are also discussed for those who wish to open cafés or just to satisfy one’s thirst for coffee knowledge.

HOW TO OPEN A COFFEE SHOP
Experienced café owners share their knowledge on the basics of choosing a location, buying equipment, training staff, and knowing what to sell to make a café sustainable and profitable. Trivia on what works in specific location is also discussed from experience. Tips on what equipment to buy, as well as where to buy everything from coffee to roasting machines, will be covered.

INTRODUCTION TO ROASTING
A whole day hands-on course on roasting starts with choosing green beans to roasting coffee basics and includes the science of how coffee changes from green beans to the brew you drink.

INTRODUCTION TO COFFEE FARMING
Experienced agronomists and research scientists handle this course. It covers the varieties of coffee that can be planted in specific areas with different elevations and soil types, where to get seedlings, and how to start a coffee farm. Prunning and harvesting are also discussed for the benefit of those who have already started a coffee farm.

INTRODUCTION TO CUPPING
Licensed Q graders share their experience from grading green beans, preparing the samples for cupping to doing a sensory evaluation of different coffee samples. This interactive course allows the participant to actually go through samples of coffee varieties with different origins, flavors and aromas.

For more information on coffee course schedules and offerings, please visit the PCBI Facebook page.

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