LAOAG CITY – Six small scale farmers of Robusta coffee in Sigay, Ilocos Sur bagged six out of 10 top awards in this year's Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC), an annual search for the best coffee in the country.
The competition was part of the Philippine Coffee Expo, which was held at One Ayala in Makati City on May 9-11, gathering the country's coffee beans producers to bring the unique flavors of their homegrown beans in one place.
The entries of Robusta coffee producers Krystel Anne Lames, Rowela Lames, Joemar Abaoag, and Mabini Ubuan emerged as top 4 winners; while Dexter Daplayan and Marieta Lidem landed in the 8th and 10th place, respectively.
All six are from all from Sigay, Ilocos Sur.
The coffee quality of the entries was evaluated based on taste, aroma, and overall cup quality.
The upland town of Sigay is known as the coffee capital of Ilocos Sur due to its favorable climate for coffee cultivation.
“Congratulations to the outstanding Ilocos Sur coffee growers for your remarkable victory at the Philippine Quality Competition 2025. Thank you for your inspiring journey and dedication in producing world-class quality coffee that puts Ilocos Sur on top,” the provincial government of Ilocos Sur said in a statement on Facebook on Friday.
Through the coffee competition, locally produced coffee products have a chance to be recognized in the global coffee industry and be open to more marketing and better pricing opportunities for Philippine coffee farmers.
Organizers said the event serves as a vital platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and market access for local coffee stakeholders.
The competition was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry, together with the Department of Agriculture, Barista and Coffee Academy of Asia, Inc., the Agricultural Cooperative Development International, Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance, and the Philippine Coffee Guild.
This year’s expo celebrates innovation, sustainability, and excellence in Philippine coffee, with competitions, exhibits, business matching, and learning sessions.
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