A 22-year-old barista from Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City, is helping local farmers enhance their livelihood initiatives by blending coffee, using skills gained purely through hands-on experience.
Arniel Canoy, in an interview with Brigada News FM Kabankalan on Saturday, July 12, said he has served as a barista for the Camindangan Planters and Farm Workers Association (CAPFWA) for the past two years and he learned the craft through hands-on practice and participation in local and national coffee expos.
Canoy completed Grade 12 but did not go to college due to financial constraints. Despite this, he continues to contribute actively to CAPFWA, particularly in promoting their coffee product.
CAPFWA president Richard Vallota said that the group plans to help Canoy undergo formal training in coffee preparation and blending to further boost his skills as a barista driven by passion.
The association, which has over 300 members, is currently engaged in Robusta coffee production as part of its sustainable agriculture efforts.
In addition to coffee, CAPFWA also implements various livelihood and community-based programs, including an upcoming hog-raising project and several initiatives aimed at improving farmer income, skills development, and food security.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.