Coffee has always been a universal language, a comforting constant in many lives, transcending borders and brewing countless stories. This International Coffee Week, Citadines Bacolod City celebrated this beverage’s beauty with a series of thoughtfully curated events.
A Journey from Instant to Artisan
As someone whose coffee literacy is still brewing, this was an enlightening experience that deepened my understanding of coffee in ways I never anticipated.
When it comes to the knowledge and appreciation of coffee, as an industry and product, I would say that mine is so basic. I got introduced to coffee through brewed ground coffee that we used to buy in local markets. Later, I was more exposed as popularized by instant coffees and got immersed in global coffee chains and local cafés. Eventually, my coffee experience expanded thanks to my travels, like those in Indonesia and Vietnam. My understanding of the craft behind the cup was minimal until this event.
A Celebration of Coffee Culture
Organized by Citadines Bacolod City, the Coffee Talks and Public Cupping event was held to commemorate International Coffee Week. It was just one of the various activities they lined up in celebration of the drink, which, for Citadines, is more than just a beverage — it’s a common love language. This sentiment echoed globally as Citadines properties worldwide participated in the “For the Love of Coffee” campaign, celebrating coffee culture in unique ways across different regions.
The event began with a warm welcome from Han ‘Caleb’ Kyungku, general manager of Citadines Bacolod, who greeted the participants and set the tone for the afternoon of coffee learning and tasting. He spoke of Citadines’ dedication to coffee as a community builder, spotlighting the brand’s local coffee offerings — like their feature drink “Kape Saba.” This refreshing tropical blend combines the richness of coffee with the sweetness of Saba banana, topped with whipped crème cheese and caramelized sugar, evoking the nostalgic flavors of Pinoy favorites like Turon and Banana-Q.
Citadines Coffee Community Pop-up Shop
Attendees were also invited to explore the Coffee Community Pop-up Shop, which featured local beans from Negros Occidental Coffee Council (NOCC), a direct way of supporting local farmers. In addition to their drink offerings, Citadines infused their love of coffee into their pastries at the 24/7 grab-and-go patisserie, Tam-is. Some of the highlights included the Robusta Piaya, Liberica Napoleon, Barako Biscocho, and Cappuccino Cookies — all proving to be crowd favorites and selling out quickly. These were part of their “KapeSalubong” treats, an innovative approach to fusing coffee flavors with popular local pasalubong items.
Learning from Local Coffee Experts
The heart of the event was the Coffee Talks session, where notable figures from the local coffee scene shared their insights. Teddy Cañete, president of NOCC, gave an in-depth talk on the current state of coffee farming in Negros. A representative from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also spoke about the agency’s support for local farmers and the growing coffee industry in the region.
It was during these sessions that I met Thomas Sproten from the Coffee Culture Roastery, who, as it turned out, was not only passionate about coffee but also connected with the organization I work for — making for an unexpected yet pleasant encounter.
An Immersive Cupping Experience at Citadines
The most anticipated part of the afternoon was the public cupping session. Each of us began by smelling freshly ground coffee beans from different farmers across Negros. The aroma was rich, and each scent told its own story of the farmer’s care and the region’s unique environment. As the hot water was poured over the grounds, the room filled with the soothing scent of freshly brewed coffee. We went around the table once more, this time inhaling the now fully bloomed fragrances of the coffee drinks. After skimming off the bubbles and foam from the top of each cup, we began the tasting — a slow, deliberate process of experiencing the flavors.
We sampled robusta coffees infused with unique local flavors, including:
- Coffee infused with papaya by Teddy Cañete of Sugar Valley Coffee
- Carmen’s Brew from Himamaylan
- Sitio Linggahub from La Castellana, roasted by Mangkas Coffee Roasters
- Banglid from Bago, roasted by Mangkas Coffee Roasters
- Rogelio Caridad’s beans from Murcia
- Marilyn Guilem’s produce from La Castellana
Among the highlights of the tasting were exceptional coffee lots, like the award-winning PCQC Robusta beans from Reyjohn Basco, expertly roasted by Coffee Culture Roastery, which claimed top honors in local competitions. We also sampled highly ranked beans from Iloilo and SOCKSARGEN. Each cup unveiled a remarkable depth of flavor, further enhancing my appreciation for the intricate world of coffee.
A Newfound Respect for Coffee
By the end of the event, I had gained a newfound respect for coffee. What was once a simple morning routine now felt like an intricate process deeply tied to culture, community, and craftsmanship. Citadines Bacolod City’s celebration of International Coffee Week not only educated but also brought together a passionate group of individuals dedicated to elevating the local coffee industry.
For more information about Citadines Bacolod City’s events and offerings, visit https://www.discoverasr.com/en/citadines/philippines/citadines-bacolod-city and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
