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| (Image Source: Facebook/Lipa City Public Information Office) |
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as the Lipa City Coffee Liberica Festival 2025, held last October 16-20, 2025 at Robinsons Place Lipa's Food Alley, celebrating the city’s deep-rooted connection to coffee and culture. With this year’s theme “Lipa Coffee Liberica: Brewing Culture, Art, And Heritage”, the festival pays tribute to the city’s legacy as the home of the world-renowned Kapeng Barako which is a symbol of Lipeño pride and resilience. The celebration reaffirms the Lipa City LGU’s commitment to promoting the local coffee industry while preserving the culture, creativity, and artistry that coffee continues to inspire.
According to City Tourism Office OIC Aylene Acorda, MIHTM (Master in International Hospitality and Tourism Management), the city is steering efforts toward agricultural tourism, focusing on coffee farms as a key attraction. Highlighting the city’s ongoing programs to strengthen farmer support, sustainability, and market linkages, Acorda said, “We currently have more than 300 coffee farmers in Lipa, and our goal is to reposition the city as a major coffee bean distributor in the country.” The festival was filled with vibrant showcases of art, knowledge, and local craftsmanship, offering visitors an immersive experience that blends coffee, art, and culture. The festival's opening ceremony last October 16 was graced and attended by Robinsons Malls Regional Operations Manager for South Luzon Maria Cecile R. Recio; Robinsons Place Lipa Marketing Manager Carlo Alipio; Lipa City Council Committee Chairperson of Tourism, History, and Culture, Councilor Venice Manalo; Assistant City Community Officer Melany Aguila; Tess Jumarang of the Lipa City Tourism Council; representatives of Batangas Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office and Association of Coffee Producers in Lipa City; Hazel Katigbak-Quinto representing Katy's Farm CEO Col. Nicetas "Katy" Katigbak; and the city's tourism ambassadors, among others. Local student journalists from the Lipa City campuses of University of Batangas (The Brahmans' Journal) and Batangas State University (The Apex) and content creators were also there to cover the occasion with LTN Events and the tourism management students of STI Lipa ensuring the smooth success of the festival.
Coffee lovers and mall goers were able to enjoy the festivities comprising of an Art Exhibit by the Sihay LIPA Artists Group featuring creations made from Coffee Liberica, transforming coffee into a medium of visual storytelling; the exposition of the book entitled “Mapping Out The Batangueño Identity: The Batangas Kapeng Barako”, led by Batangas Historical Society Charter Director Jose Alilio, which explores the historical and cultural significance of coffee in shaping Batangueño heritage; a Coffee where local producers and enthusiasts shared their passion for brewing and showcased unique blends, products, and innovations; and a Visual Painting Competition where artists representing various schools across the city were able to express their interpretation of the festival’s theme through creative visuals. On the other hand, several local brands and businesses expressed their support and appreciation to the festival by showcasing their products and services and offering and demonstrating them to guests and visitors. These include Bet'Oven, Ember Cafe, Merrylane Cafe, Taza Mia Coffee, BaracoBased, and Lipa Pasalubong Marketing Cooperative among others. Also featured in the 2025 Lipa City Coffee Liberica Festival at Robinsons Place Lipa is the Coffee Liberica Conference, with the theme "Coffee And Culture Collide: A Festival of Flavors And Destinations", where Jose Alilio, De La Salle Lipa's Director of Research Management and Coordination Dr. Annaliza Resurreccion, and Col. Katigbak shared their insights and experiences on the cultural significance and innovative developments that make coffee more relevant in the global age of modern evolution and how it enhances the overall progress of Lipa City and will help elevate other Philippine cities in the future and beyond.
The vibrant Lipa Coffee Liberica Festival 2025 concluded with an explosion of color, rhythm, and culture through the Lipa Coffee Liberica Dance Contest, held in celebration of the city’s rich coffee heritage last October 21, 2025 at the Lipa City Academy of Sports, Culture and the Arts (LASCA), which showcased the creativity and talent of young Lipeños as four schools competed on stage in a spirited display of artistry inspired by the city’s pride which is the Kapeng Barako. Each participating school brought to life the story of how Liberica coffee shaped Lipa’s identity, performing in colorful costumes and intricate props that depicted coffee beans, leaves, and the farming traditions passed down through generations. The dancers moved to the lively beats of Batangueño-inspired music, blending folk and modern choreography that paid tribute to both tradition and innovation. After an impressive series of performances, GB Lontok Memorial Integrated School emerged as the champion, captivating the judges and audience alike with their graceful execution, powerful storytelling, and stunning visual presentation. Their performance masterfully captured the journey of coffee from the hands of hardworking farmers to the cups that symbolize community, livelihood, and pride. Other participants were Lumbang Integrated National High School, Lodlod Integrated National High School, and Inosluban-Marawoy Integrated National High School. According to festival organizers, the Lipa Coffee Liberica Dance Competition not only served as entertainment but also as a meaningful reminder of the city’s legacy as the birthplace of Liberica coffee in the Philippines. It reaffirmed Lipa’s ongoing commitment to celebrate its roots, promote its agricultural heritage, and inspire the next generation to carry forward the legacy of coffee culture. The competition concluded the week-long festival with cheers, applause, and a renewed sense of unity which is truly “brewing culture, art, and heritage” in every beat and movement. Through the Lipa City Coffee Festival 2025, the city once again proves that beyond the cup, Kapeng Barako remains a powerful emblem of identity, creativity, and pride brewed perfectly with culture and history.
(With words by Arven Bravo, Lipa Status)
