Bruce Bryan Rubio Declared Champion at 2025 Philippine Coffee Roasting Competition

 

Bruce Bryan Rubio, from Bukidnon, emerged as the champion of the 2025 Philippine Coffee Roasting Competition, held from October 5 to 9 at the Sultan Kudarat Convention Center in Tacurong City.

Representing Coffee Wagon Café and Roastery, Rubio bested 14 other top-tier roasters from across the country in a showcase of precision, creativity, and passion for the craft.

Organized by the Filipino Coffee Institute (FCI), the annual competition brings together the nation’s finest roasters to highlight innovation and excellence in Philippine coffee.

This year’s event was held alongside the Southeast Asian (SEA) Green Coffee Competition and the Philippine Coffee Innovation Summit, drawing participants and stakeholders from across Asia—including Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines.

“This win isn’t just mine. It belongs to the entire coffee community,” said Rubio. “It’s a validation of the craft we practice every day at Coffee Wagon—from sourcing and profiling to roasting. It represents the hard work, passion, and perseverance of my team.”

Rubio shared that his preparation began immediately after last year’s competition. Each roast session became a learning opportunity—testing profiles, evaluating flavors, and refining techniques to bring out the best in every origin. He also reflected on past missteps, using them as fuel for growth.

“This wasn’t my first competition, but it was the most demanding,” he added. “The level of detail, precision, and consistency required pushed every roaster to elevate their craft. It’s not just about skill. It’s about how we interpret coffee through roasting.”

Rubio is now setting his sights on the upcoming international roasting competition in Taiwan this November, while continuing to develop new roast profiles and techniques.

Other Top Winners:

• 1st Runner-Up: Rosario Jeric Gumpic Jr. (Baguio City)
• 2nd Runner-Up: Arnel Banuag (Cagayan de Oro City)
• 3rd Runner-Up: Kelvin Lim (Panabo City, Davao del Norte)
• 4th Place: Joey Maravillas (Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat)

The event was made possible through the collaboration of FCI with the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat, Specialty Coffee Depot, Sultan Kudarat State University, Department of Agriculture Region 12, and the Department of Trade and Industry Region 12.

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