SULTAN KUDARAT(October 22) — Sultan Kudarat cemented its place as the country’s coffee capital this month after successfully hosting three major international coffee events, drawing farmers, experts, and buyers from across Asia.
From October 5 to 9, the province became a global stage for innovation and collaboration as it co-hosted the International Coffee Innovation Summit 2025, the Southeast Asia (SEA) Green Coffee Competition, and the Philippine Coffee Roasting Competition at the Sultan Kudarat Convention Center in Tacurong City.
The back-to-back gatherings brought together delegates from Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines—united by a shared passion for elevating coffee quality, sustainability, and trade.
Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu said the events reflect the province’s global vision and reaffirm Sultan Kudarat’s role in the country’s agricultural transformation.
“We are proud to host the International Coffee Innovation Summit, which opens opportunities for our farmers and strengthens our place in the world coffee map,” Mangudadatu said, announcing plans to build processing centers, warehouses, and farm-to-market roads across coffee-producing areas.
The summit, organized in partnership with the Filipino Coffee Institute (FCI), served as both a platform for innovation and a celebration of local talent.
FCI President Ramon Jerry Cabalse described it as “a tribute to the journey of coffee and its pivotal role in the Philippine agricultural landscape.”
He highlighted how the SEA Green Coffee Competition showcased the region’s finest Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica beans, calling attention to the Philippines’ unique diversity.
“These varieties are now in the spotlight right here in the heart of Philippine coffee—Sultan Kudarat,” Cabalse said.
The province once again demonstrated its Robusta excellence, with Roan Basco of Senator Ninoy Aquino town clinching Top 1 in the Robusta category. Fellow local farmers Orlando Bayudan (Top 6), Rey John Basco (Top 9), and Denz Bert Deramos (Top 12) also placed among the best, underscoring the province’s growing international reputation.
Other winners included Vietnam (Liberica champion) and Thailand (Arabica champion). Meanwhile, Bruce Bryan Rubio from Bukidnon emerged as the Philippine Coffee Roasting Competition champion, showcasing the creativity and technical prowess of Filipino roasters.
These coffee-centered events also served as a prelude to Kalimudan Festival 2025, set for November 19–22 with the theme “The World Meets Sultan Kudarat.” The festival will highlight local culture, artistry, and enterprise on a global stage.
The province organized the events in partnership with FCI, Specialty Coffee Depot, Sultan Kudarat State University, the Department of Agriculture (DA-12), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-12)—a testament to collective efforts in making Sultan Kudarat synonymous with world-class coffee.
