In line with promoting local products of Misamis Oriental, the Department of Trade Industry, Oro Trade and Investments Promotions Center (Oro TIPC), and the One Town, One Product (OTOP.PH) Ginamâ launched on Thursday an open demo on manual brewing and tasting of local coffee roasters produced from different parts of the region dubbed “Barista Brewthers” held at Gaston Park this city.
The said three-day activity covers live demos on manual brewing, tool introduction, techniques among others, and on the final day held a mini-throwdown, a friendly showdown of baristas at Gaston Park. Leading the demo were cousins Syl Vernon and Alexander Ray Sumaña showcasing the flavorful coffee products of Claveria, Gingoog, and Cagayan de Oro City.
“We were invited by ma’am Mary Libarios to showcase our passion as baristas and to share our knowledge on how to properly brew coffee beans manually and efficiently to bring out its full potential,” Vernon said.
The “Barista Brewthers” aims to encourage and introduced local baristas as well as coffee enthusiasts in the city to support our local coffee bean farmers in the region.
“Ang goal namo aning activity (Barista Brewthers) kay para ma introduced ang local coffee products, ipakita sa mga barista nga natay local coffee nga mayo ug taste maka compete sa international even sa national. Kay ang uban wala sila makahibalo nga naa diay ta mga maayong coffee products, nga locally produced,” said Ginamâ operator, Marlyn Noble.
Alexander Ray Sumaña pouring coffee. Photo by Dave Achondo 
Syl Verno Sumaña demonstrate a tool used in grinding coffee beans. Photo by Dave Achondo 
Syl Verno Sumaña. 
DTI Development Specialist Coffee and Cacao Program Coordinator, Judee Aclan during her opening remarks at the Barista Brewthers. Photo by Dave Achondo 
Group photo of the participants of the recently concluded Barista Brewthers. Photo by Dave Achondo.
She added “Nay uban coffee producer, nag produced lang sila pero wala sila knowledge sa exact art ug science sa coffee, that’s why we invited local farmers and baristas so that ma-orient nato sila ug mas ma develop pa nila ilahang skills and products.”
For its part, DTI Development Specialist Coffee and Cacao program coordinator Judee Aclan shared that the trade department has begun supporting baristas in the city, and plans to push for farming skills development for local coffee growers by next year.
“Actually nag sugod nami atong November sa farming skills development sa mga growers, but hopefully ma-fully implement nato na next year para makatabang satoang local coffee industry,” Aclan shared.
To know more about the products used in the Barista Brewthers visit OTOP.PH Ginama at Gaston Park today.
