Davao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat coffees to represent PH in Southeast Asia competition

 

DAVAO CITY – Coffees from Davao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat provinces are set to represent the country in the Southeast Asia Green Coffee Competition (SEAGCC) in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat in October.

By Keith Bacongco

Published Aug 4, 2025 03:57 pm

In the Arabica category, eight of the top 10 winners were from coffees grown in Bansalan town in Davao del Sur,  five of which were from Sitio Balutakay, a popular source of top quality Arabica coffee that sits on the slopes of Mount Apo.

Cherry Gil Cabanday topped the Arabica category in the recent national selection for SEAGCC held in this city.

Cabanday, who grows coffee in Purok Pluto in Sitio Balutakay, outshined 51 other entries coming from different parts of the country.

Fellow coffee farmer from Bansalan, Janet Escalera, earned the second spot followed by Finca de Garces of Pangantucan, Bukidnon.

Josephine Libres, who is also from Sitio Balutakay, earned the fourth spot followed by Salome Milagrosa (Barangay Alegre in Bansalan), Cyril Jerome Almanzor (Amai Manabilang, Lanao del Sur), Marcia Elumirag (Barangay Alegre), Jenny Morales (Sitio Balutakay), John Lawrence dela Cerna (Sitio Balutakay), and Lowell Padrones (Sitio Balutakay).

In the Robusta category, coffees from Sultan Kudarat province captured seven of the Top 10 spots.

The Top 5 winners under the Robusta category, who all hail from Sen. Ninoy Aquino town, are Roan Basco, Idelberto Deramos, Reyjohn Basco, Denz Bert Deramos, and Orlando Bayudan.

They are followed by Ricky Sagayno (Lupon, Davao Oriental), Catherine Joy Alipit (La Trinidad, Benguet), Junerd Ambay (Sen. Ninoy Aquino), Elmer Lucariza (Maragusan, Davao de Oro), and Elmor Jay Seguma (Lebak, Sultan Kudarat).

Twelve farmers participated in the Robusta category.

In a statement, Specialty Coffee Coffee Depot said that the coffees were evaluated by licensed Arabica and Robusta Q Graders from various regions in the country.

The event was supported by the Filipino Coffee Institute, Mindanao Development Authority, European Union, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Deutsche Geselleschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarebeit (GIZ), and Department of Agriculture-11 High Value Crops Division.

Angelbert Cortes of Cavite State University emerged as the lone winner under the Excelsa Category.

Brando Mediano, chairman of the Specialty Coffee Marketing Cooperative, explained that coffee from Mount Apo dominated the Arabica category because farmers mainly grow Arabica.

Sultan Kudarat topped the Robusta category because the hinterland areas of the province is a known source, Mediano added.

He said that Philippine coffees that joined the competition were not just delicious, but were thoughtfully grown, carefully processed, and full of character.

“Many stood out for their complexity, harmony, and individuality. It was a challenge to cup because of the high level of quality across the board,” said Mediano, who also served as one of the competition’s evaluators.

For coffees grown in the slopes of Mount Apo, he attributed the distinct taste to different factors that contributed to its quality.

Mediano said that coffees grown in Mount Apo are shaped by the terroir of volcanic soils, shifting mountain weather, and the deep roots of tradition.

“But what truly sets it apart are the people. The experienced farmers continue to apply proven, tested methods that have stood the test of time, while the younger generation brings a spirit of innovation, curiosity, and openness to the future,” he said.

Mediano lauded the dedication of farmers for producing world-class coffee.

For him, it is not just a competition of flavor but also a celebration of culture, effort, and story.

“In a sense, everyone who brought coffee to the table is already a winner, because they are contributing to something much bigger than themselves.”

3-day Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race in Davao del Sur set

by Antonio Colina IV 

IMAGE from DOT-Davao region FB

DAVAO CITY – The municipality of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur will host the Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race from Dec. 16 to 18 where around 300 runners from 20 countries are expected to scale the country’s highest peak.

Municipal tourism officer Julius Paner said that this would be the first international race in the municipality since the pandemic started in 2020.

He said the three-day Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race is co-organized by the Asia Trail Master, an international trail running organization, which tapped the municipality to host the culmination and championship final of the international Asia Trail Master race.

“They gave the manifestation to hold it in the Philippines for the first time. They have been doing it throughout but not yet here in the Philippines,” Paner said. 

He said racers will compete in three categories: 75 kilometers, 100 kilometers, and 50 kilometers.

Romualdo Cabales, race director of Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race, said champions would be hailed as the fastest in Asia.

He said winners of the 100-km category will represent the country in an international race in April.

Paner said hosting an international race is a good mechanism to regain travelers’ confidence, most especially that the municipality is positioning itself as an eco-adventure destination.

“It’s a good signal that Davao region is tourist-ready in terms of international arrivals. We are trying to position Davao del Sur to be an eco-adventure destination. For the longest time, that’s how we brand our locality because that’s the strength of Davao del Sur. Mount Apo is the highest peak and there are attractions within the foothills,” he said.

Department of Tourism (DOT)-Davao director Tanya Rabat-Tan said that the region is excited to hold the event because it would give them the opportunity to showcase the region to international delegates, particularly Mount Apo as an “icon of Davao.”  “It’s an opportunity for us to make them feel that we are ready. We want to promote Davao as a safe destination for our tourists,” she said.

Compostela Valley helps quake-hit areas...

... of North Cotabato and Davao Del Sur

Compostela Valley Province--- It is now time for the people of Compostela Valley to help and show their support, this time in the earthquake-stricken areas of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur.  Gov. Tyron Uy,  himself, visited the affected areas on November 3 and met with the local officials there. 

Employees from the different departments of the Provincial Capitol of Comval Province extended their services in preparing for the relief operations. Among the distributed goods were packed meals, boxes of mineral water and rolls of tent that would be of great help for the affected residents.

“We will device a mission nga makatabang ta didto in one way or another, being a Dabawenyo and also as our brothers and sisters of Mindanao.” said Governor Uy. “Kita mismo naka experience ug calamity ug very thankful pod ta kay ang mga ubang taga laing probinsya nitabang pod sa atua ug maoy  nagsagop sa atua sa pila ka weeks nga lisod ug pait gyud ang supplies sa pagkaon, tubig ug uban pa.” he added.

The Province of Compostela Valley experienced the wrath of Typhoon Pablo way back in the 2012 bringing the whole province into its darkest days. Neighboring provinces and cities of Comval helped the Comvaleños to rise up in all possible ways they could offer.

Now is the time for Comval to return the favor and help its Mindanaoan brothers and sisters to rise and recover. (Jasteen P. Abella, ID COMVAL)

 Photocaption relief 1 & 2- Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy together with other government officials and government employees in Comval Province gave relief operations to the quake-hit areas of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur. Comval helps Mindanaoan brothers and sisters to rise and recover.