Manila Coffee Festival March 2025

Once again, the Manila Coffee Festival returns for a weekend of drinks, shopping, food, entertainment, and just everything: coffee! Last year, it was held in a closed space, but this year, it was outdoors, which made for a nice change. The event started in the late afternoon and lasted until the evening, giving the feeling of summer really having arrived. 

As usual, there were other things aside from just coffee, that’s what makes this event exciting because you are getting so much more than just a caffeinated drink. Upon entering the event space and taking my first walk around, it was easy to see that other fun things were going on. For one, some competitions and demonstrations were held at some of the booths. There was also quite a lot of art happening all around. During my first walk-through, I noticed some chalk art being done which was impressive to see. There was also a booth that showcased paintings made with coffee instead of paint, which I thought was quite innovative. They also offered custom paintings that could be done in around half an hour for a small price, which is a lovely keepsake for yourself or a cute gift to give to a loved one. 

It was also nice to see that several booths were showcasing not only local coffee and products but weavers, too. There were woven bags, hats, clothes, and booths that showed how they were made by hand. Of course, it is important to support local businesses, and the Manila Coffee Festival this year did a great job at bringing the local's goods one step closer to us. You could talk to and ask all your questions about weaving and learn and witness the skill that goes into creating these products. There were a variety of garments and accessories to see and choose from.  

The learning doesn’t stop there. A stage was set up by the garden area wherein you could sit and listen to some interesting talks. Topics are not only about coffee but also about sustainability and the environment. Here are some of the titles and topics discussed: Food, Fairness And The Future, The Power Of Our Plate: Transforming Food System For A Sustainable Future, Biyaya Brews: BTS On Creating One-Of-A Kind Craft Beers For Biyaya Festival. There was also a Baybayin Workshop wherein the audience learned about our heritage and got the chance to even try writing in the language. 

In terms of entertainment, some fun things were going on throughout the event. On night two, a drag show brought smiles and laughter to the audience after the sun had set. Complete with dance moves and flips, it brought up the good vibes to a new high. On the other side of the event space, there was a little area called Mahiwaga St., which was filled with all sorts of fun activities. For the spiritual, some tarot readings were happening that were open to all, while the table next to it was doing live drawings for a small price, and towards the end, there was even a karaoke station where a lot of group singing was carrying on. This quirky corner of fun experiences greatly added to the overall experience and event. There were also some traditional dances being showcased during the weekend event. If you arrive before the evening starts, you’ll witness the cultural performances by traditional tribal dancers. The entertainment was a great mix of quick bursts of culture and easy-going laughter and interactions. There was even a comedy set by Comedy Manila, which people gathered around for later in the evening. 

In terms of food, there were a few choices during the event. Coffee is incomplete without a little sweet treat or a pastry of some kind, so I was glad to see that a few booths offered great coffee and snack pairings. There were some easy and quick bites too like sandwiches and salads. My personal favorite was the stand serving authentic koftes. Cooked right in front of your eyes, you could smell the herbs and spices used as the meat sizzles. It made for a very satisfying meal when dinner time came around. The one thing I will say about the event is that I wish there were more places to sit and eat. Hopefully, next year, there will be a few tables and chairs for people to use. Not just to take a quick rest after walking around but also to be able to properly enjoy the drinks and food that are available. 

Overall, the event was lively and filled with many activities and things to see and taste. For an entrance fee of just Php500 and Php250 for students, I think it’s worth it, especially for coffee lovers. Many booths had special prices only available during the event which makes it a great moment to stock up on your favorites and to try out new products. I will be looking forward to the next event in a year’s time. Hopefully, it will only get bigger and better and more exciting!