There’s nothing quite like the smell of coffee! It instantly wakes you up and makes you feel cozy at the same time. In The Philippines regardless of the weather, scorching hot or torrential rain, there’s always time for coffee. The Manila Coffee Festival at the Manila Marriott Hotel Convention Hall was a great weekend from the 15th to the 17th of March for all the hot and iced coffee lovers alike.
First, let’s start with acquiring a ticket. It was very easy and the entrance fee was reasonable for all that the event had to offer. Not only was there coffee but also a whole host of other stands that offered pastries, art, trinkets, stickers, and many more. In terms of the crowd, there were a lot of people but the event was well organized and there were many bathrooms available as well as entrance and exit doors. There weren’t many long lines to maneuver through while walking around, and if there happened to be a line, it moved fairly quickly.
The venue was one long rectangular room. On each far end, there was a stage. On the rightmost side was where the coffee competitions and music took place while on the left side stage was where the talks and presentations took place. The talks were nice and quite intimate away from the central part of the room where all the noise and people congregated. The audience was able to ask questions and listen to the speakers clearly. Some of the topics discussed and demonstrations were: Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony, Sustainable Single-Use Products, Integrated Barako Coffee Farming and many more. From barista techniques, products, processes, farming, food, music, and art, there was a great array of interesting topics.
Of course, the focus was on coffee and there was an abundant lineup to choose from. There were larger well-known cafes and brands that had stands, but there were also smaller establishments and some family-run coffee stands. Regardless of the size, everyone came to present their best products. There were some really interesting flavors and coffee concoctions that were intriguing. Flavors that you wouldn’t necessarily think of when it comes to making a latte and such. Some interesting drink items I found were an Orange Americano, a Lavender Latte, a Banana Milk Latte, and a Yemacchiato.
If you are an avid coffee drinker or want to be more proficient in the world of coffee there were many exhibitors that had a whole selection of coffee equipment and machines. From French presses to more fancy and expensive setups, there was something for all kinds of coffee drinkers. The people were also very friendly and approachable when it came to explaining their products especially when it came to tasting their offers.
Many stands gave out free taste testers so you could decide what kind of beans and syrups you’d like to purchase. They also guided you when it came to identifying the flavor profiles and the origin of the beans. There was much to learn and what better way to do that than by having a quick practical lesson on the spot. It was also interesting to see how some of the coffees were made. Some stands were set up in such a way that you could clearly see how the baristas made your order.
If you are one of the few that doesn’t drink coffee or maybe you’ve reached your caffeine quota of the day, there were other options available too. Outside of the venue just by the doors there was a section of stands that were pretty much all dedicated to chocolate. There were hot chocolate taste testers being handed out, mostly locally made which was interesting to see and taste!
The local talent and products were probably one of the more inspiring things to see during the convention. It’s so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of trends that usually start on the more western side of the world and are carried through or rather, brought to us via social media. It was really nice to see local talents and products at the forefront. Supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses is not only helpful for the economy but also for culture. Wouldn’t it be nice if our local coffee shops were just as supported as large chains such as Starbucks? I’d like to think the event did a good job at showing and reminding the public that there’s much to love about local coffee and local cafes; and more importantly that we can produce world-class coffee.
Aside from coffee and drinks, there were other things to see as well. There was a section of the area that seemed to be dedicated to art. There were artists that you could watch in real-time create their designs and work. There were even paintings made with not paint but instead, with coffee! Truly in theme with the whole event. There were other finished artworks that were available for viewing as well as stalls selling locally made crafts such as leather goods and stationery at very affordable prices. If you were thinking about starting your own coffee business or something like it, then this event had many companies to help you get started. There were exhibitors for not just beans and consumable products and ingredients, but also equipment, packaging, and even cashiers and point-of-sales setups.
If all the walking around was tiring you out or you needed a break, there were a couple of pastry stands where you could buy yourself a croissant (or three) or other freshly baked goods. I would recommend for the next event though that they invite a few more food concessionaires to give people more choices than just pastries. It would also be nice if they improved the standing stables where you could eat your snack and enjoy your beverage which was located near the doors. This meant that there were plenty of people walking in and out right by the tables which made it feel a little hectic at times. It also wouldn’t hurt to add a few more tables or make the designated eating area inside the venue a little larger and add some seats or benches. There were quite a few youths who opted to sit on the floor since it was carpeted, but it would have been better if there were some common seating areas where you could take a break. Aside from that, overall it was a fun event and a wonderful experience. I’d love to see how the next one will play out and excited to learn more about the local coffee culture.
