Enthusiastic and passionate Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) members underwent a barista crash course, setting the stage for the official launch of Arabica Philippines’ barista internship program at the Arabica Manila Roastery in BGC, Taguig City. Aside from amor on Valentine’s Day, filling the air was the inviting aroma of coffee, skillfully brewed by the young and freshly-trained guests, which delightfully roused the olfactory senses of visitors.
This event marked the start of the heartfelt initiative by the celebrated Japanese global coffee brand. With their mantra ‘See the World Through Coffee’, Arabica Philippines is opening its doors and bags of coffee beans to passionate young Filipinos for an immersion in the barista profession and Arabica culture.
Arabica Philippines chief operating officer (COO) Koko Tamura expressed her excitement for the project’s commencement, emphasizing the brand’s vision of welcoming the younger Filipino generation to Arabica Philippines’ world of coffee, as well as encouraging them to pursue a career as a barista. “It excites me that we get to kindle the same affinity that drives us towards the rich stories and flavors that define Filipino coffee culture in Arabica, especially to the youth. I do hope that, through the program, we get to introduce the barista profession as a great creative outlet and a viable career option,” Tamura shared.
The Valentine’s Day workshop saw 12 participants from the Katipunan ng Kabataan ng Katuparan, under the administration of the Sangguniang Kabataan of Katuparan in Taguig, joined by influencers and barista trainers. Divided into groups, they learned under the guidance of Arabica Philippines head barista Lawrenze Marcella, successfully interpreting and replicating the ‘Arabica Way’ by crafting some crowd-favorites: the scrumptiously mouth-coating soft cream, as well as the well-balanced and dreamily aromatic espresso. “We take great pride in our meticulous process here at Arabica Philippines. Our strict adherence to steps and procedures, particularly those focused on food and hygiene safety, is what truly sets us apart. This ‘Arabica way’ of manually crafting a cup of coffee, ensuring the highest quality, and relying on the expertise of our highly trained baristas, is just one aspect that we aim to share with our participants”, said Marcella.
Post-workshop, SK Brgy. Katuparan Taguig Chairman Jerome Paolo Gonzales expressed his gratitude to Arabica Philippines for extending the invitation to young coffee enthusiasts to engage in the industry, and encouraged peers to seize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by the brand. “To Arabica Philippines, first of all, I’d like to express my sincerest gratitude for sharing this wonderful opportunity to young Filipinos such as myself, especially those who want to venture the practice of the barista profession. To my fellow Filipino youth interested in the coffee industry, grab this chance, go for the program. You’ll be in good hands with Arabica, sure ako doon,” Gonzales said.
Meanwhile, Tamura said that the internship program will surely give an edge to students should they pursue a career as a barista, “Given Arabica’s standardization of practice, our interns will have a one up against contenders. In the program, they will imbibe years of perfected and exquisite coffee techniques not found anywhere else in the world but Arabica.” Moreover, Tamura added that, in different parts of the world, Arabica typically gravitates towards employing Filipino baristas popularly due to their innate hospitality and congeniality, supporting the decision to train the Filipino youth as potential ambassadors of the brand.
Arabica Philippines warmly welcomes ardent 16 to 20-year-olds to enroll in the eight-week training program beginning March, offering a diverse barista-practice syllabus, and a valuable training certificate. Despite its global acclaim, Arabica Philippines remains rooted in local culture, exemplified by the ‘See the World Through Coffee’ program. Gonzales urges other industry leaders to follow Arabica’s example, underscoring that Arabica Philippines is a “global brand with a local heart.”