Mindanao coffee farmers shine in the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition held on 9 June 2024 in Makati City. MindaNews photo by GENORY VANZ ALFASAIN
(MindaNews / 17 June) – This year’s Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC) showcased the exceptional dedication of Mindanao’s coffee farmers, who triumphed in both the Robusta and Arabica categories.
The awarding ceremony took place at the culmination program of Philippine Coffee Expo (PCE) 2024, on Sunday, June 9, at SPACE, One Ayala Mall, Makati City.
Arnel Morales from Davao del Sur province emerged as the champion in the Arabica category with a score of 84.95.
A special award for best processing techniques was bestowed upon Morales for the best natural process in the Arabica category.
Manolito Garces from Bukidnon secured third place with a score of 84.70 while Ylaine Joyce Giangan from Makilala, Cotabato province was at sixth place with a score of 83.94.
In the Robusta category, four coffee farmers from Senator Ninoy Aquino, locally known as Kulaman, in Sultan Kudarat province, secured the top spots.
Leading the pack were the Basco brothers, Rey John and Roan, who respectively landed in first and second place with impressive scores of 86.45 and 86.43. Denz Bert Deramos and Orlando Bayudan, placed fifth with a score of 84.85 and sixth with 84.68, respectively.
Rey John was also recognized as the sole winner in the Robusta coffee processing category for his natural processing method.
“This award represents a milestone not just for us, the dedicated coffee farmers, but it also serves to elevate the stature of Sultan Kudarat’s coffee on a broader scale. The accolade bestowed upon us by the PCQC is instrumental in broadening our market reach and promoting the distinct flavors of Soccsksargen’s coffee,” Rey John said.
“Above all, this honor serves as a beacon of inspiration, encouraging a new generation of farmers to embrace the competition and strive for excellence in coffee production,” he added.
According to the 2021 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Sultan Kudarat province is the top coffee producer in the Philippines, accounting for 35 percent of the country’s total coffee production.
The region is actively vying for the title of “Coffee Capital of the Philippines” through the concerted efforts of various agencies and local government units, including the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat.
The PCQC is an annual event that is aimed at identifying and promoting the best quality coffees in the country to encourage producers to improve their coffee quality and to promote these to the domestic and international markets. It is conducted with the support from government, the private sector, and donor-funded projects.
It seeks to see the most excellent coffees in the Philippines by performing evaluations aligned with the grading and profiling protocols of the Coffee Quality Institute. It also aims to make the Philippine coffee known in the local and international markets. (Genory Vanz S. Alfasain / MindaNews contributor)