The popularity of Sarangani coffee is growing. Coffee farmers and other industry stakeholders are working hard to establish Sarangani as one of the Philippines' coffee producing provinces. Local coffee shops in Maitum, such as Malaya Brew and Thirsty Tongue, are doing their best to promote their own homegrown coffee to their customers.
The coffee industry has its own value chain, which shows a consistent economic increase in production and consumption year after year. This is the umbrella term for all activities involved in the creation of a product or service.
Coffee shops are an important part of the coffee value chain. Knowing where our coffee comes from and how it moves through the value chain helps us understand what makes coffee great.
Sherri Jane Ines Gacula, the owner of Malaya Brew, believes that Sarangani coffee will go out of the region. But, before that happens, she encourages the Sarangans to embrace it, emphasizing the importance of supporting and purchasing local coffee.
"Not only does our coffee taste good. We need to promote it locally so that the Sarangans can appreciate it," Gacula said.
Malaya Brew, Gacula's coffee shop, promotes local coffee, specifically Maitum coffee. She was previously unaware that her town produces coffee. When she found out about it, she tried it and fell in love with its distinct flavor. Gacula promises to offer it in her café so that locals can advocate for it.
“I subtly promote Maitum coffee in our town. We can't just say that our coffee is delicious. It should really be showcased. It's hard to brag about our coffee if it's not proven here in our area.”
Gacula supports and purchases Maitum coffee beans from Datu Kubli Kusin of the Upo Valley Farmers Association in Barangay Upo, as well as other coffee farmers in the municipality, particularly in Barangay Ticulab.
Mervin John Keith Sabarre, the owner of Thirsty Tongue café, wants people to become more knowledgeable about coffee, especially the customers. In order to support both local coffee shop owners and the coffee growers who provide the beans, he encourages the public to drink locally produced coffee.
"When you buy a coffee from a café, you wonder who will benefit from your purchase," he remarked.
Sabarre purchases the Robusta coffee beans from Datu Kusin as one of the strategies to aid the coffee growers in Maitum. He showcases the Maitum beans along with other local beans from Polomolok (Mt. Matutum beans) and Davao (Mt. Apo beans). He is also looking forward to a long-term collaboration with Maitum coffee farmers.
Sabarre intends to grow and will relocate to a strategic location. He saw a lot of potential in his town's coffee industry. He also continues to support coffee farmer programs in his municipality.
"At Thirsty Tongue, we provide a pleasant experience. It's a place to reconnect and form meaningful relationships," Sabarre explained.
Gacula also plans to expand Malaya Brew in order to create a more relaxing environment – a café where people can socialize and be themselves. "There's a reason to visit Maitum," she said, emphasizing the importance of coffee in attracting tourists to her town.
“Try what we have here. We should cherish our own. Let us be proud of our homegrown coffee." (Genory Vanz Alfasain, contributor)
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