Three is a magic number (Part 1)

Three. This number is significant to quite a number of important people.
3 was the number of rounds it took Manny Pacquiao to knock Morales down.
3 was the number of times Peter denied His Master,
and also the number of times Jesus asked 'Do you love me?' to reinstate him.
And while '3' may be a crowd for some, it is without a doubt, a very important number for Cordillera Coffee.

Three years ago, a small coffee shop was put up by husband-and-wife Frank Young and Mary Grace Arboleda (born and raised in Kalinga) along Xavierville Ave., hidden from the busy Katipunan thoroughfare. Such a small cafe it was and 'easy to miss', as one writer put it.

From its small beginnings, Cordillera Coffee has now grown into a cozy art gallery, which has been space to some of the country's most interesting art works; pieces that showcase the beauty and richness of Cordillera culture.

Works by Tam-awan artists at the Cordillera Coffee Art Wall.

Though a tiny shop, its goal was big. The mission was to promote the best Philippine mountain coffee and in turn help the native growers in the Cordillera. Fair trade became its primary endeavour, seeking to make a difference in the lives of indigenous farmers by buying the coffee at above-market prices; the right price for their quality produce.

This undertaking has led Cordillera Coffee then to put up Coffee AID (Assistance for Indigenous Development) to further help uplift the livelihood of the farmers.

One of the monthly Coffee AID meetings up the mountains of Benguet.

2006 also marked the first year in Coffee AID's efforts to empower the growers. Advance-buying coffee enables the farmers to receive regular income -- a rare opportunity because they only come across money once a year, during the harvest. This makes possible regular maintenance of farms, that ultimately leads to quality crops.

More programs and activities are lined up for Coffee AID farmers and family. Farmers will be taught craft-making and other sustainable livelihood projects. The farmers' children will also have arts, music, and literacy workshops in the coming months.

To be continued...

You are all invited!

Be part of the Cordillera Coffee Team

Isang pagdiriwang at pasasalamat

A year ago, Cordillera Coffee Company put up Coffee AID (Assistance for Indigenous Development), a project that would enjoin private individuals to take a more active role in helping uplift the livelihood of the native coffee growers by advance-buying coffee to give the farmers regular income.


Now an NGO and a year old, Coffee AID is assisting 60 families of indigenous farmers from the areas of Atok, Bobok, Bocod, and Belis, Benguet.

Aside from giving financial aid, Cordillera Coffee also extends continuous coffee training and development to ensure quality of the produce, and will eventually hold livelihood workshops for the farmers' families -- art workshops for the children and craft-making sessions for the women.

The Cordillera Coffee Story

Cordillera Coffee is built on the mission of making a difference. A unique contribution to the growing philippine coffee industry. It is founded on the goal of promoting local coffee and our rich culture, recognizing that Filipinos, in order to grow as a nation, must go back to their roots.

Towards the new millennium, we saw the influx of big foreign coffee companies, which have dominated the market. Gourmet (read: expensive) coffee has been a trend. It became a popular notion that good coffee had to come from another country. It was sad knowing that Filipinos are unaware of the abundance of good resources in our country. Some do not know that the Arabica, one of the finest varieties of coffee, is grown here in the Philippines.

Realizing the need to rekindle Filipinos’ passion for their own, the husband-and-wife tandem of frank young and Mary Grace Arboleda (a native of Kalinga), opened a coffee shop that will serve coffee with character and soul; one that will tell of the abundance of beauty and the blessings of nature, one that told a story of our heritage, one that lets people experience Filipino culture in a cup.

Panagbenga

Cordillera Coffee will be on the road to Baguio in time for Panagbenga or the Baguio Flower Festival. It is a sought-after event in the City of Pines. Colourful floats will grace the streets, energetic dancers in bright costumes are sure to make the people groove, and tons of visitors are certain to be there.

Don't miss out on the fun. Catch our coffee booth at Session Road from Feb. 27 till March 5!

See the schedule of activities here.

WHAT's brewing

COFFEE FOR A CAUSE
Cordillera Coffee has recently opened its doors to interested franchisees.

WHY a Cordillera Coffee franchise

Unique selling point: the finest mountain coffee – the Arabica
Tagged as ‘the king of coffees’, the Arabica is the best variety there is. Grown in the shady mountains of the Cordillera region, it is the perfect location for producing quality green beans. When roasted, the beans give a fresh, rich aroma. The Arabica makes a full-bodied cup when brewed. Coffee connoisseurs have commented that this variety is among the best in the world, on a par with Jamaica’s Blue Mountain coffee. One of the best benefits the Arabica has, healthwise, is that it makes one palpitate less. This is because the higher the quality of coffee, the lesser its caffeine content.

Promoting Philippine pride
To compete globally, Filipinos must go back to their roots. If we try to be ‘like’ other nationalities, we will never fare. As one advertising guru has put it, “We can never out-American the Americans. The way to be global is to be truly Filipino.”

Cordillera Coffee recognizes this truth, and encourages nationalism by supporting and promoting native products. The Philippines is a country of rich natural resources, and we need people who put it into its best possible use.

Most people don’t know we have the best coffee variety in our country. Through Cordillera Coffee, we aim to increase an appreciation for our own, an awareness that growth will happen when we have a sense of nation; a pride for our own.

Social-oriented business
A business that pushes fair trade for the local farmers is a fulfilling venture. A synergy, win-win scenario between the farmers who plant and harvest the coffee, and the entrepreneurs who finance ways to market the coffee is the aim of Cordillera Coffee.

It has been a practice by middlemen in some areas to buy coffee really cheap from the farmers and sell them at a high margin to end-consumers. The farmers, barely making ends meet, agree to these terms. This unfair trade has damaged most of society and it is in this area that a business venture can make a difference.

HOW much does a franchise cost?
The franchise package is reasonable. It includes the official company operations manual, coffee training, and business consultation.

WHOM to get in touch with
We’d like to meet with you personally to answer your queries. If your schedule does not permit, you may contact Mary Grace Arboleda Young or Iona Arboleda Santos through telephone numbers (02)4360324, (02)4330634 and telefax number (02)4368244. Email questions to cordilleracoffee@gmail.com.

WHEN to stop by for a chat
We can set a meeting with you during business hours, or at your convenient time. Coffee shop is open Mondays to Saturdays, from 8:30 AM until 10:00 PM.

WHERE to find us
Cordillera Coffee is located in a cozy spot within Loyola Heights. Drop in for a cup of our brew at Unit 104 Llanar Bldg. Xavierville Ave. cor B. Gonzales St. Loyola Heights QC. Our shop is among the homey stores in the building in front of the new Xavierville 1 gate.

Drop in for a cup!

Try our homegrown brew!

Unit 104 Llanar Building
Xavierville Avenue cor B. Gonzales St.
Xavierville Subd. Loyola Heights QC

Calling all social entrepreneurs!