How a brave Igorot from Kabayan introduces coffee in Cordillera

Photo Courtesy || One Cordillera

Cordillera - American history records show that coffee was introduced to Benguet by the Spaniards, who distributed seeds to the Benguet people and later, forcing all Igorots in the province to grow and expand the coffee plantations. The Igorots opposed this, and tried to kill and uproot the coffee plants.

However, in Kabayan, a young Igorot leader named Camising, who was famous for his bravery in protecting his people, saw possible value in the coffee plants.

After some study and observations, as well as trips to other parts of the Philippines where coffee grew, he led the cultivation of coffee in Kabayan. 

Once they started harvesting, Camising sold their crops himself, and he discovered that the value of coffee per cavan (around 30 kilos) increased year by year. By 1902, majority of Benguet coffee was grown in Kabayan. 

The fist customers of Benguet coffee were the mainland Spaniards, not even those in Manila. The Tabacalera Company bought Benguet coffee every year, shipping the whole crop to Spain and selling it at high prices. 

Camising's Kabayan coffee was part of this high-value export.

source || One Cordillera

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Cordillera Indigenous fabric 'INABEL' goes international, recognized at New York Fashion Week

Photo Courtesy: Tracy Dizon FB

Cordillera - The traditional Cordilleran fabric "Inabel" is already having an international recognition as it made its  way to the New York Fashion Week which was held last week.

Filipina fashion designer Tracy Dizon with the help of a fellow Cordillera designer Harvic Dominguez made the effort for this traditional Inabel fabric to be recognized abroad. 

Photo Courtesy: Redford Mancio via spot.ph

With her fascination with textiles from different regions in the Philippines, she has created numerous dresses which include a baby doll dress made with Cordillera fabrics. The dress can be used in any formal or casual occasions. 

One of her award winning collection is the Cordilleran ensemble worn by Filipina actress and singer Johanne Morisette Daug Amon, better known by her stage name, Morisette.

Photo Courtesy: Tracy Dizon FB

Among the attire showcased in the Fashion show were fabrics made with Ifugao textiles, Cordillera fabrics, Yakan and Iloko Inabel. 

Dizon will be showing her Pinoy Pop Life fashion collection for Spring Summer 2019 at the prestigious New York Fashion Week and will be putting Filipiniana-inspired designs and indigenous fabrics.

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In 2017, Tracy Dizon won the Rise Art & Design Fashion Designer Competition in New York City with her Southeast Asian-inspired fashion collection besting many talented NYC fashion designer contender. 

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Where to find the "best bread in the Philippines"? Answer: In SAGADA

Photo Courtesy || Kulas

Cordillera - "It was the best bread I have had in the Philippines. It was like European bread", that was the statement of Jun Jun when he first tasted the bread of 'Ma'am Jane' in her bakeshop in Sagada. 

Jun Jun was the travel buddy of Canadian vlogger Kyle Jennerman popularly known in his local name as "Kulas". They are currently traveling north of Luzon and they are now exploring Cordillera particularly Sagada, Kalinga and the Mountain Province. 

On their journey into Sagada town, they were accompanied by their local tour guide ma'am Jane who happens to have a bakery business in town.

Read Also: Benguet has the best Arabica Coffee in the Philippines - coffee experts say

Jane took them to her bakeshop to try out some of her handmade bread. 

"It could be some of the best bread in the Philippines," this was Kulas reaction after eating some of Jane's bread. 

"100% MUST TRY! Especially when fresh (usually around 2-3 pm everyday). Jane makes chocolate, blueberry, cheese, vegan, and cinnamon raisin breads... All 100% handmade with natural ingredients, no preservatives, and no "cheap additions". Jennerman wrote in his FB page BecomingFilipino. 

Kulas later learned that ma'am Jane was a former OFW who had worked in Israel for 11 years. She came back to Sagada, trained how to bake with a french baker and later she started her own little bakery in Sagada.

READ ALSO: Sagada organic coffee wins international award in Paris

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Benguet has the best Arabica Coffee in the Philippines - coffee experts say

Photo Courtesy || Robert Domoguen

Cordillera - The locally grown Arabica coffee in Benguet emerged as the champion and named as the best coffee in the Philippines during the 3rd Philippine Coffee Conference held in Baguio City on March 21- 22. 

The Arabica coffee entry of Mr. Oliver Oliem, a coffee farmer from Caliking, Atok, Benguet topped other regions in the country in terms of coffee quality.

Here is a review of a customer who has tried Benguet Arabica coffee.

Oliem entry got a grade of 87.06 from the judges who unanimously voted for the Arabica entry and said the coffee beans were exemplary because it has blends that has a characteristics of Apricot, lemongrass, Pomelo, Oolong Tea and aroma of a Rose. 

One of the judge Shaun Ong from Singapore, said the high-rating of the coffee quality is testament of the improving coffee quality in the country. 

"There is a dramatic increase of quality and it caught the judges, wondering what has been happening on the ground. Competition helps producers realize there is market for quality coffee. Anything above 80 should already be applauded." Ong said. 

READ ALSO: 

100 year-old Igorot man credits long life and health with eating camote, banana and squash

Survey says Igorots are among the 'healthiest' Pinoys in the country

Other winners from Benguet were the coffee entry of Restie Labi Tacio, also from Caliking, Atok, who got the third spot and Belen Macanes from Sagpat, Kibungan, who was ranked fifth place. 

Winners of this year's coffee competition were recognized during the 2018 PCQC awarding ceremony  at the Hotel Supreme. 

Read Also: Proud Igorot from Tublay, Benguet named Youth Mayor of Frankston, Victoria, Australia

Co-organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other Philippine government agencies including US based institutions, the PCQC aims to give recognition to farmers who showcase excellence in coffee growing, and to encourage others to push for product development.

Lead judge Charlie Habegger, a specialty coffee buyer for Blue Bottle Coffee from USA and Asia said "Competitions are important because we identify those coffee and we could share those coffee as an example".

"Judges from different cultures, palletes, experience, perspective can agree on example of great quality that is really significant", Habegger added. 

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