Coffee FIESTA set on July 5-6 in Benguet

Coffee lovers are invited to attend a two day event featuring the best of the coffee of the Cordilleras at the Benguet State University next week.

The Highland Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium based in the BSU will be spearheading the 1st Cordillera Coffee Farms and Industry through the Science and Technology Agenda or FIESTA on July 5 and 6 at the BSU gymnasium and covered court.

With the theme "Bringing Cordillera Coffee to Greater Heights" and the slogan, "It's more fun to drink coffee of the Cordilleras", the Coffee FIESTA will formally open on July 5 with Cordillera rituals and the beating of the gongs. This will be followed by the ribbon cutting of the Coffee Exposition by local government unit heads, regional line agency directors and officials of the BSU and HARDEC at the BSU covered court.

The Coffee Exposition will be featuring various coffee products from the fresh seedlings, plants and berries to the processed coffee and other bi products from the different municipalities and provinces in the region including those from the private sector.

The opening program will follow at the BSU gymnasium where Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan will give the welcome remarks and the opening remarks by Philippine Council for Agricultural, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Executive Director Patricio Faylon.

Regional Development Council Chairman Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac will give an inspirational message while Philippine Coffee Board Co-chair Pacita Juan gives the keynote message.

There will be a 'Kapehan sa Kapihan' or a media forum with the guests including representatives from the HARDEC, BSU, DTI, DOST and RDC.

The PIA-CAR will also be launching a one-day photo contest on July 5 promoting the coffee industry of the Cordilleras. This will have student category and a professional / hobbyist category.

An essay writing contest is also set for college students at the BSU ICT computer rooms.

Highlight in the afternoon are Techno-Business Forum and Business Mentoring forum to be led by coffee growers and entrepreneurs such as Valentino Macanes of the BSU and Grace Baluyan of the famous Kalinga Blend.

During the business mentoring, experts from the coffee industry will be conducting consultation among participants who are interested to learn the farming and technology aspects of the coffee industry.

On the morning July 6, there will be a Regional Coffee Consultation Meeting Towards Developing a Regional Coffee Agenda which aims to present programs and plans for the coffee by various agencies and organizations and come up with an agreement / common framework for a regional coffee agenda.

In the afternoon during the closing program, BSU President Dr. Ben Ladilad will lead the awarding of plaques and certificates of recognition and appreciation to the participants and winners of the essay writing and photo contests.

The said event will evolve from the different activities showcasing the coffee Arabica, Robusta and other varieties from the farm to the kitchen. Such mechanism will create more avenues not just for promotion but also for networking and market matching.

The Coffee FIESTA is also in support to the banner programs of the Sectoral Committee on Economic Development particularly the banner project, 'Boosting the Coffee Industry of the Cordilleras' spearheaded by the RDC. - PIA — ARA