Filipino Women in Coffee Industry in 37th episode of ‘Stories for a Better Normal’ Series

MANILA, 9 March 2021 — Women coffee enthusiasts will gather virtually to share knowledge on the coffee industry – farming, processing, retail, and marketing – and its challenges and opportunities in the new normal on the 37th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic “Kwentong Kape ng mga Kababaihan.” This is a third of the four-part episode which focuses on supporting resilient livelihoods.

The episode, hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 11 March 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.

Joining the online conversation are Filipina coffee connoisseurs, including Pacita “Chit” Juan, Co-chair of Philippine Coffee Board, Inc.; Jocelyn Mamar, a coffee farmer; and Rosario Juan, Chief Executive Officer of the Commune Café.

In previous episodes, the online series tackled the role of traditional weaving and pottery industry in providing environmentally-sustainable and viable livelihood options to communities, while preserving cultural heritage and local craftspersonship.

In this episode, Legarda and guests will call on the families, local governments and the general public to support small-scale coffee farmers and keep the local coffee industry alive, and to encourage the youth to spur coffee bean production for future generations.

The legislator will also launch during this episode a special coffee blend made from Robusta coffee named Lola Mameng’s, after her maternal grandmother who planted the coffee trees many years ago.

As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, “Stories for a Better Normal” aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.

This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation. ###