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...