Pretty often, when we talk about coffee, the conversation revolves around how we take it: black, with cream, with sugar, or with both. We share our personal rituals, from that first sip in the morning to the comfort it brings on a rainy afternoon. We talk about our favorite cafés, their ambiance, their views, and the blends that keep us coming back.

Recently, Cebu Pacific Air and the Department of Tourism Region XI stirred a richer conversation—one that celebrates not just the drink in our cups but the hands, hearts, and heritage behind every harvest.

Through the Davao Coffee Tour curated by Cybercribs Trips and Tours, I followed the full journey of coffee from seed to cup and connected with inspiring people who brought the story to life.

It was a highlight of a four-day Coffee and Cacao Tour organized by both organizations and sponsored by Park Inn by Radisson Davao, which provided a comfortable home base in the city and served us some delicious meals as well.

Our journey began in Barangay Catigan, high in the mountains of Davao City, home to the Bagobo Tagabawas, one of the 11 recognized Indigenous communities in the area.

We visited their coffee nursery, where they showed us how their new coffee farming venture aims to provide a sustainable source of income, helping them protect their ancestral lands and preserve their cultural heritage.

They also showed us how coffee is planted and guided us as we planted our own, weaving us into their story.

From the coffee nursery of the Bagobo Tagabawas, we traveled to the foothills of Mt. Apo to visit Dubria Coffee Farm, a thriving plantation where rows of full-grown coffee trees stretched across the landscape.

The farm, owned and managed by Marivic Dubria, celebrated as the “Coffee Queen of Davao,” is an award-winning producer of high-quality Arabica coffee.

Marivic shared how coffee transformed her life, providing not only a steady income but also the chance to travel and connect with other coffee communities around the world. Through these experiences, she gained new knowledge and inspiration, which she eagerly brings back to her farm. She also gives back by mentoring fellow farmers and helping build a stronger, more resilient coffee community.

From seedlings to trees to harvesting and roasting.

Next, we visited the Coffee for Peace Training Center in Kapatagan, Digos, Davao del Sur, an organization born from a conflict resolved over a simple conversation over coffee.

The center trains  local farmers in coffee processing and uses coffee as a platform for dialogue and healing. We joined a hands-on session and learned about wet, dry, and honey processing methods.

Alwin, a farmer we met, shared how proper training and market access have turned once-undervalued work into a sustainable livelihood for his family.

Before heading back, we stopped at the Regional Coffee Innovation Center at Davao del Sur State College in Digos. The first of its kind in Mindanao, it offers training programs for coffee farmers, research facilities, and a sensory lab for grading beans. It was a reminder of how much science, skill, and care go into every cup.

Our final stop was FROG Kaffee Arena in Davao City—a café, roastery, training center, and gathering place for the region’s third-wave coffee community, a movement that values high-quality, sustainably sourced beans and artisanal brewing methods.

Here, I met Gina and Markus Ableitinger, the co-founders of FROG Kaffee Arena, who work to bridge the gap between farmers and buyers, ensuring that their dedication leads to fair income and thriving communities.

They guided us through a social cupping session, introducing beans from different parts of Davao, each with its own unique aroma and flavor profile.

We ended the tour enjoying creative brews at FROG Kaffee Arena.

Thank you to Cebu Pacific Air and the Department of Tourism Region XI for deepening the conversation around coffee and honoring the people, culture, and heritage behind every bean.