How can the Philippine coffee industry become more sustainable while opening new opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, and the next generation of coffee professionals? These important questions will take center stage at the 2nd Philippine Coffee Sustainability Congress, happening on October 15–16, 2026, with the theme “Cultivating Tomorrow’s Cup: Working Towards a Sustainable Future for Philippine Coffee.”
Organized by the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. (PCBI), the two-day Congress follows the success of its inaugural gathering in 2025. This year’s program will focus on practical approaches to coffee sustainability, industry experiences, education and training, innovation, and emerging opportunities across the Philippine coffee value chain.
The main Congress program will be held on October 15 at the Makati Sports Club in Makati City. Sessions and panel discussions will explore a wide range of topics, including Indigenous coffee communities, alternatives to commercial fertilizers, successful coffee production, women in coffee, circularity, coffee waste upcycling, coffee briquettes, and education and training opportunities within the coffee industry.
The event will bring together speakers and resource persons representing government, private industry, farming communities, and educational institutions. Featured speakers include Bernadette Delos Santos, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF); Gilbert Baltazar, Program Director of the Department of Agriculture’s Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (DA-4K) Program; Benjamin David Abadiano, Founder of the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples Education; Gio Espital of the PRRM Global Partnership Center; Nicolo Aberasturi, President of Banhaw Agriculture; Richard Khoo, CEO of Lastic Singapore; and Stu Balmaceda, Founder of Side B Upcycling.
Adding an international perspective is 26-year-old Adam Esham of House of Kendal in Johor, Malaysia, who began his coffee journey at 16. Together with his father, Esham Salam, he helped revive their family’s coffee-growing heritage while working to position Liberica—known in the Philippines as Barako—as a specialty coffee with greater value for both farmers and the market.
House of Kendal currently grows, mills, and roasts Liberica from its micro-farms in Batu Pahat while continuing to develop its processing and roasting techniques. During the Congress, Esham will share the House of Kendal story and Malaysia’s experience in creating renewed value around a coffee species that is also deeply familiar to Filipino growers.
Education and professional development will form another key component of the Congress. Sessions will feature Robert Francisco of UCC Coffee Academy, Brendan Rosen of Naturland Philippines and Naturland Academy, and Dave Lim, Technical Director of the ASEAN Coffee Institute, who will discuss career and learning opportunities in coffee, organic coffee production, and coffee education across the region.
The Congress will also confer the 3rd Coffee Cup of Distinction Award on Emmanuel Torrejon, recognizing his decades-long contribution to the Philippine coffee industry through coffee trading, roasting, cupping, barista training, business development, and coffee education.
On October 16, the event will move from conference discussions to hands-on coffee experiences. Registered participants can choose one of four activities, including a Coffee Cupping and Coffee Workshop at Commune Cafe in Makati City, a Coffee Crawl through Salcedo and Legazpi Villages, or a Coffee Farm Tour at the PCBI Technical Center in Amadeo, Cavite. These activities provide opportunities to experience coffee evaluation, brewing, café culture, and coffee production beyond the conference room.
Registration for the 2nd Philippine Coffee Sustainability Congress is ongoing at ₱5,000, covering both Congress days and one selected Day 2 activity. Registration closes on September 30, 2026, subject to the availability of slots for the Day 2 activities.
About the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc.
The Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. (PCBI) is a private-sector-led, non-stock, non-profit organization established to develop and promote the Philippine coffee industry. PCBI works with coffee farmers and other industry stakeholders through education, technical assistance, market development, advocacy, and partnerships with government, private-sector, and development organizations.
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