Sultan Kudarat cemented its status as a powerhouse in coffee production during the announcement of the 2025 Kape Dose Coffee Quality Competition winners, held on April 4 at the Sultan Kudarat Convention Center, in Tacurong City.
The event highlighted the region's vibrant coffee culture, with an impressive total of 99 entries submitted—90 in the Robusta category and 9 in Arabica. Sultan Kudarat contributed 81 Robusta entries and 4 Arabica entries.
Neighboring provinces also participated in the competition. South Cotabato submitted 6 Robusta entries and 1 Arabica entry, Sarangani added 3 Robusta entries, while Cotabato Province focused solely on Arabica, contributing 4 entries.
In the competition, the two categories, Fine Robusta and Specialty Arabica represent the highest grades of coffee. Fine Robusta is renowned for its smooth taste, reduced bitterness, and rich, complex flavor notes.
Specialty Arabica, on the other hand, signifies the pinnacle of Arabica coffee excellence, distinguished by its exceptional flavor, aroma, and unique characteristics. Both are meticulously cultivated and processed to provide extraordinary experiences for coffee enthusiasts.
The results were revealed during the culmination program of Sultan Kudarat Coffee Expo, which began on April 2.
The top three Robusta winners in the Kape Dose Coffee Quality Competition hailed from Sultan Kudarat. Orlando Bayudan, representing Midtungok, Senator Ninoy Aquino (SNA), secured the first-place spot with an outstanding grade of 88.14. Idelberto Deramos, from Nati, SNA, claimed second place with a cup score of 88.00, while Rodello Calunsag, from Hinalaan, Kalamansig, earned third place with a score of 87.64.
Tied in 4th place were Roan Basco from Kuden, SNA, and Bon Brian Calunsag from Kalamansig. Denz Bert Deramos, from Tinalon, SNA, secured 6th place, followed by Ryan Deramos, also from Tinalon, at 7th. Ma. Mila Calunsag from Hinalaan, Kalamansig, claimed 8th place, while Desiree Grace Arzagon from Kulaman, SNA, landed in 9th.
Welchris Calunsag from Hinalaan, Kalamansig, earned 10th place, with Carlo Sarte from Tinalon, SNA, at 11th, and Cipriano Basco from Kuden, SNA, completing the top 12. This underscores the province's continued dominance in high-quality Robusta coffee production.
In the Arabica category, Di Famor Gacayan, from Malegdeg, SNA, achieved the highest-grade score of 83.3 to take first place. Jessie Castor, also from Malegdeg, SNA, followed closely with a score of 82.75 to secure second place. Ma. Fe Beatingo, representing Dado, Alamada, Cotabato Province, rounded out the top three with a grade score of 82.65.
The annual event, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry, celebrates the finest coffee produced in Region 12. It supports local farmers, promotes the regional "Kape Dose" brand, and prepares winners for the prestigious Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC).
Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region 12, Soccsksargen leads the nation in coffee-growing areas, covering 26,172 hectares. Sultan Kudarat accounts for 78% of this total, with 20,437 hectares. The province produced approximately 19,778.3 metric tons of green coffee beans (GCB) in 2023 and 13,426.35 metric tons during the first three quarters of 2024.
In addition to its partnerships with national line agencies, the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat is also partnering with international experts to enhance coffee quality and open up broader market opportunities.
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