MANDALUYONG CITY, The Philippines – In line with the celebration of the 124th Independence Day of the Philippines last 12 June 2022, the Department of Trade and Industry – Laguna (DTI) Provincial Office, together with Henry and Sons, launched the “Laguna Liberica” coffee at the Mabuhay Lounge of Philippine Airlines in NAIA Terminal 2 and SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.
“Laguna Liberica” is a special coffee blend from the coffee beans of Laguna and is intricately mastered and perfected by World Barista Champions Semifinalist Mr. Michael Harris Lim of Henry and Sons. It is currently being served in the Mabuhay Lounge of Philippine Airlines at NAIA Terminal 2. Soon, Laguna Liberica will also be served in the business class section of international PAL flights.
It has been part of Lim’s advocacy to promote and strengthen the Philippine coffee industry, from the farmers to the consumer. Their company has been scouting the country to look for the best coffee that we can be proud of.
Ever since they discovered the coffee in Laguna, Lim has fervently supported the coffee farmers by patronizing the beans and providing technical training for the farmers to maximize the potential of their coffee trees.
The coffee in Laguna has been documented as early as 1881. One of the original locations in Laguna where the Augustinian friars planted liberica coffee was at the Tabuco area, now known as towns from Cabuyao, Calamba, and spanning up to Santa Maria, Laguna.
It was also documented that the coffee from these same trees were the ones Dr. Jose Rizal enjoyed drinking while he was writing his two masterpieces, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in 1887-1889.
The official launch at SM Megamall was held concurrently with the Laguna OTOP Hybrid Expo 2022. Among present during the launch were DTI Region 4A OIC-Regional Director Marissa Argente, Laguna 1st District Board Member-elect Danzel Fernandez, and Calamba City Congresswoman-elect Cha Hernandez.
They expressed their pride and support to the promotion of Laguna Liberica to further strengthen the coffee industry in Laguna.
