Dipolog Café Pushes Robusta Heritage, Spotlights Farmers in Anniv Celebration

 

Coffee in the Philippines has reemerged as a dynamic industry. In recent years, its popularity has grown among Filipino drinkers, fueled by specialty cafés, dedicated farmers and roasters, and professionals who continue to push the local coffee movement forward.

In Zamboanga del Norte, one café has taken on the mission of preserving the province’s Robusta heritage. For Vincent Rigador, founder of Barra Barista in Dipolog City, the vision is clear: to place the province on the Philippine coffee map.

During its sixth anniversary celebration held from November 18–28, 2025, Barra Barista ensured that the local coffee community was at the heart of the festivities. Rigador described the milestone as a tribute to Dipolog’s vibrant coffee scene, which has sustained the café’s journey. The celebration sought to highlight Dipolog City—and Zamboanga del Norte more broadly—as a rising coffee destination.

One of the most notable activities was a two-day coffee farm immersion at Barangay Buenavista in Sergio Osmeña Sr. The program was facilitated by Q Robusta Grader and Pakiburak founder Ariel Lastica, alongside champion farmers Marivic Dubria and Dione Ellaga from Davao del Sur.

The immersion, which ran from 21-22, introduced participants to farm management, post-harvest processing, and strategies for building successful coffee farms. Attendees included farmers, café owners, and enthusiasts from Zamboanga del Norte and even as far as Siquijor.

On November 23, the immersion concluded with a Coffee Farmers Forum, which served as a Q&A session reflecting on the two-day experience. Resource speakers Dubria and Ellaga also shared their experiences and best practices that participants could adapt. Stakeholders also outlined their commitments toward advancing coffee development in Zamboanga del Norte.

“Including a farm tour in our anniversary celebration was inspired by our desire to reconnect everyone with the roots of what we do. Coffee doesn’t begin at the bar—it begins on the farm, with the people who cultivate, harvest, and process the beans we work with every day,” Rigador explained.

Over the years, Barra Barista has grown beyond being a café. It has become a community built around appreciation for quality, craft, and the stories behind each cup.

“We wanted our anniversary to celebrate more than just our own milestones. We wanted to honor the farmers who make our work possible, highlight sustainable practices, and give our community a chance to see firsthand all the care that goes into producing truly great coffee,” Rigador added.

For him, farmers embody the heart of the craft. Their patience, skill, and respect for nature inspire everything that happens behind the bar. They are not merely suppliers, but partners and storytellers whose dedication sustains the industry.

The immersion also underscored the importance of sustainability, showing how ecosystems shape coffee farming and production. Rigador emphasized that cafés must think critically about how their choices support these efforts, strengthening relationships across the coffee value chain.

“The immersion deepened our sense of gratitude and strengthened our commitment to honoring the people behind every cup we serve. It grounded us in the reality that great coffee isn’t just crafted—it’s cultivated. That truth will continue to shape how we grow as a community and as a café,” he reflected.

Looking ahead, Barra Barista plans to expand initiatives that support the local coffee community. These include direct trade partnerships, farmer-focused events and forums, training programs, and an annual farm immersion.

Although agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have introduced coffee-related programs in Zamboanga del Norte, the province still has a long way to go before its coffee scene fully flourishes.

Rigador envisions a future where everyone in the coffee value chain—farmers, roasters, cafés, and consumers—thrives together. He hopes to see farmers empowered with access to training, fair pricing, and tools to continually improve quality. He also dreams of a more connected community where collaboration outweighs competition.

“I hope the province gains stronger visibility on the national coffee map, known not just for producing coffee, but for producing coffee with character, traceability, and a story. Zamboanga del Norte has so much potential. It deserves to be celebrated,” he said.

----

(This feature story was first published by Philstar.com)

photos by Kalokal PH