ZAMBOANGA CITY (January 8) — Coffee is no longer just a drink in the Philippines—it has become a movement, and in Zamboanga del Norte, one café is leading the charge to keep the province’s Robusta heritage alive.
Vincent Rigador, founder of Barra Barista in Dipolog City, marked the café’s sixth anniversary from November 18 to 28, 2025, by putting the spotlight on the people who make great coffee possible: farmers and local producers.
“This milestone is a tribute to Dipolog’s vibrant coffee scene,” Rigador said. “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.”
Coffee farm immersion
A highlight of the celebration was a two-day farm immersion at Barangay Buenavista in Sergio Osmeña Sr., facilitated by Q Robusta Grader and Pakiburak founder Ariel Lastica, along with champion farmers Marivic Dubria and Dione Ellaga from Davao del Sur.
Participants—including farmers, café owners, and enthusiasts from Zamboanga del Norte and as far as Siquijor—learned about farm management, post-harvest processing, and strategies for building sustainable coffee farms.
The immersion concluded with a Coffee Farmers Forum, a Q&A session where speakers shared best practices and stakeholders committed to advancing coffee development in the province.
Farmers at the heart of the craft
For Barra Barista, the anniversary was about more than marking six years—it was about honoring the farmers who form the backbone of the local coffee industry.
“The immersion deepened our sense of gratitude and strengthened our commitment to honoring the people behind every cup we serve,” Rigador said. “Great coffee isn’t just crafted—it’s cultivated.”
The event also emphasized sustainability, showing participants how ecosystems influence coffee production and the importance of responsible practices across the value chain.
Growing the local coffee community
Looking ahead, Barra Barista plans to expand programs supporting farmers, including direct trade partnerships, training workshops, and annual farm immersions.
Despite initiatives from agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture, Zamboanga del Norte’s coffee scene remains in development. Rigador hopes the province will gain national recognition for coffee with character, traceability, and a story.
“I envision a future where farmers, roasters, cafés, and consumers thrive together,” he said.
“Zamboanga del Norte has so much potential. It deserves to be celebrated.”
