The Batangas Coffee Farmers Federation (BaCoFFEd), the largest group of coffee farmers in Batangas, famous for its “kapeng barako” will be celebrating Coffee Day tomorrow, October 1.
In 2014, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) marked October 1 as “International Coffee Day.”
In an interview, Arnold Malbataan, chairman of the BaCoFFEd, said the event is part of their joint efforts to promote the local coffee industry as part of the cultural heritage of Batangueños.
“I am inviting coffee enthusiasts in the country to join us in celebrating the cherished tradition that we take pride in. Together, let us show the world, especially our countrymen that there are still many coffee farmers who continue to grow coffee trees so it will be appreciated by many,” he told Manila Standard.
Among the partners to participate in the event include the Office of Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Batangas), Department of Science and Technology (DOST-Batangas), Technological Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA-Batangas), Department of Agriculture (DA-Batangas), Batangas History Society, and University of Batangas (UB), among others.
There will be a discussion on the history and etymology of Batangas coffee heritage, barista training, and updates from the Provincial Technical Working Group (TWG) for Coffee.
Attendees of the event are expected to be more informed coffee enthusiasts about the cultural and historical value of “kapeng barako” in the Filipino food industry, said Malbataan.
The working group is now finalizing the collective mark registration of “kapeng barako” with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPO-PHL).
