For those who have attended the past Manila Coffee Festivals, the Biyaya Festival is the logical evolution of that. Coffee Heritage Project, which is behind the festival, travelled across the country to help farmers rescue rare beans from disappearing by sharing best practices.

These coffee initiatives were a fitting prelude to what became the Biyaya Festival.

“What we’re trying to do is trying to bring back the cool in agriculture so our younger generation feel encouraged, enthused, and motivated to take on a practice that not only defines their culture and their identity,” said Rich Watanabe, founder of the Coffee Heritage Project and Biyaya Festival director.

Other segments came forward to see if they could replicate these practices in their respective industries. These include weavers, crafters, and even people who preserved tribal chants and dances.

Biyaya Festival co-founder Tati Fortuna Miranda will be launching her new clothing line, Tahi, at the opening event. The collection features sustainable fabrics incorporating deadstock and local indigenous weaves.

For tribal weaves, one would think of wild colorful patterns that may not be applicable for everyday wear. Tahi’s innovation is using these fabrics and techniques for more fashion-forward, toned-down designs that can be used in the office. For those looking for those wild patterns, they’re included in the aptly named Che Che Bureche line.

Tahi will be among the many crafters with goods available for sale at Biyaya festival. Among the culture-centric activities are artisan craft demonstrations that bring to light the disappearing art of traditional crafts such as weaving and basketry, and craft beer workshops, coconut farmers using black coconut as a main ingredient for craft beer.

There will also be sustainable fashion shows putting the spotlight on innovative designs that honor cultural heritage, Baybayin art and traditional tattoos, and performances of dances and chants.

But where’s the coffee? Fear not as the Manila Coffee Expo has been folded into the festival.

The opening highlight will be the official awarding and recognition ceremony of coffee producers recognized in the 2024 Agence pour la Valorisation des Produits Agricoles (AVPA). They are Rebecca Gacayan from Sultan Kudarat (Gourmet Medal – Well), Andrew and Mary Tomeg Filipa Villicana from Northern Sagada (Gourmet Silver – Floral Acidulate), Martin Macalintal and Nina Guinto from Batangas (Gourmet Medal – Unique Exceptional Coffee), and George Diplayan from Southern Sagada (Gourmet Bronze –  Floral Acidulate).

The new open-air venue allows activities which were not possible in the past editions, like coffee roasting on site with demos. There will be sampling of the AVPA winners as well as Filipino beans roasted by local roasters.

As expected, coffeephiles are advised to set aside some money for deals on beans and gear, from drippers and filters all the way to espresso machines and even roasters. The AVPA beans will also be on sale, but in very limited quantities.

Coffee-related activities include agriculture workshops about sustainable practices that can enhance gardening and farming efforts, and the unlimited tastings featuring award-winning and single-origin Philippine coffee.

The Biyaya Festival will run from March 14 to 16, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Advance festival passes and supplementary tickets are available online. More details are available on the Instagram pages of Biyaya Festival and Manila Coffee Festival.