IMUS CITY, CAVITE — The historic streets of Imus are no longer just defined by heritage sites—they are rapidly becoming the epicenter of South Luzon's specialty coffee revolution. This weekend, the sharp aroma of freshly ground espresso beans completely took over the Activity Center of Robinsons Imus as the local coffee community gathered for the final day of Etivac Beankada & Friends: Cavite Cafe Collective. Running until October 18, 2026, the unique pop-up festival serves as a cultural sandbox, bringing together independent micro-roasters, home-grown barista talents, and artisanal coffee concepts from both Cavite and Metro Manila under a single roof.
A Collaborative Showcase of Local Coffee Craftsmanship
Instead of treating the local food scene like a high-stakes competition, the festival plays out like a collaborative showcase. Leading the charge at the venue floor is the prominent booth hosted by Cafe 10/23, known for their meticulous brewing methods, coupling their signature cups with a clever community perk: giving away free, limited-edition Imus city tourism merchandise to patrons dropping by to learn about the bean-to-cup process. The event reflects the growing sophistication of Cavite's coffee culture, where local roasters and baristas are increasingly experimenting with single-origin beans sourced from Philippine highlands including Benguet, Sagada, and Mount Kitanglad in Bukidnon . These homegrown coffee entrepreneurs are also championing sustainable sourcing practices, working directly with local farmers and cooperatives to ensure fair prices and traceable supply chains that benefit agricultural communities.
The Rise of Third-Wave Coffee Culture in Cavite
The success of the gathering highlights a deeper shift in how the modern generation consumes coffee, moving past mass-produced instant blends toward an appreciation for craftsmanship and origin. The collective uses this space to spotlight single-origin local beans, custom cold-brew infusions, and sustainable sourcing. This aligns with the broader Philippine Coffee Roadmap 2025–2030, which aims to boost local production and reduce reliance on imports, with coffee farming providing livelihoods for approximately 700,000 Filipino farmers and contributing around PHP 30 billion to the economy . For the casual weekend traveler or the seasoned caffeine purist, the event proves that supporting local agriculture is no longer just a trend—it is a shared lifestyle that is steadily putting Cavite on the national map for culinary innovation.
