The sun had just begun to stretch its noontime brunt over the foothills of Mt. Apo in Davao del Sur province when I found myself cradling a small coffee seedling, poised to root it in the cool, volcanic soil of the Coffee Growers Agri Forest Farm. As I planted the young tree, gave it a name, and whispered a silent promise to return, I felt something shift, a subtle connection not just to the land, but to the hands that cultivate it. Then I realized, this is not only a simple and new tour circuit but, somehow, a pilgrimage through the beating heart of Davao Regions’s thriving coffee and cacao industries, a region where every sip of hot cup of coffee and every bite of their decadent chocolate bar tells a transcending story.
In today’s era of experiential travel, where tourists yearn for more than just postcard moments and instagrammable backdrops, Davao Region has struck gold or rather, had grown it. Through carefully curated coffee and cacao trails initiated by the Department of Tourism Region XI, visitors are invited to trace the roots of their favorite brews and confections—from bean to cup, from pod to bar.
From Bean To Cup
The “From Bean to Cup” tour opened with the tender act of planting, symbolic, yes, but also grounded in real agricultural vision. At the Coffee Growers Agri Forest Farm, guests not only plant coffee trees, but are invited to return in years to come to see them flourish. It’s a gesture of continuity that speaks volumes about l Davao Region’s belief in sustainable
tourism.
Higher up in the foothills of Mt. Apo, in Sitio Balutakay, lies Dubria Farm. The temperature dropped as we ascended, revealing breathtaking views of undulating terrain stitched with coffee shrubs and vegetable patches. Here we met Marivic Dubria, a farmer whose life blossomed alongside her coffee trees. A winner of the 2019 Philippine Coffee Quality Competition, she shared how the humble coffee cherry paved the way for her family’s education and her dream home. As we wandered through her farm, sampling ripe cherries during harvest, we learned the science behind yield quality, from proper pruning to the
secrets of altitude and variety.
Science met storytelling again at Coffee for Peace Inc., where barista and sensory expert Gerome Sumagaysay walked us through the intricate and tedious choreography of coffee processing – beginning from washing and depulping, to roasting and grinding. But this wasn’t
only about beans. It was about peacebuilding, social entrepreneurship, and how coffee has become a catalyst for dialogue and community healing.
At the Regional Coffee Innovation Center and Museum inside the Davao del Sur State College campus, we wandered through curated exhibits that brought coffee’s global history and local significance to life. Scents of roasted beans seemingly wafted through sensory
installations before we settled into the second-floor café to sip freshly brewed Davao Arabica, rich, nuanced, and complex, much like the region itself.
Our final coffee immersion at FROG Kafee Arena brought all the senses into focus. Here, we cupped, sipped, and savored different coffee variety, coffee cocktails and mocktails crafted with artistry and intention led by couple Marcos and Gina. Each drink was like its own nation of flavor, thus, a celebration of what Davao’s highland beans can become in the hands ofpassionate baristas.
Dabaw Kakaw Trail
While Davao’s coffee warms the spirit, its cacao trail stirs the soul. We began our journey at Belviz Farm in Calinan, where cacao and durian grow side-by-side.
Under the shade of the Theobroma bicolor trees, we sampled the tangy, tropical sweetness of cacao pulp and tasted five varieties of durian, including the custard-like Duyaya, a local favorite that tasted like sunshine had been folded into silk.
Next came Malagos Garden Resort, a benchmark of Filipino chocolate excellence. Here, the journey from tree to treat is immersive. After a hearty plated lunch, we toured the fermentation huts, seed drying beds, and the charming Chocolate Museum. In the hands-on chocolate molding station, we molded our own chocolate candies. The real treat came during the dark chocolate tasting, where flavors unfolded like a narrative—notes of fruit, earth, smoke, and time.
At Cacao City, we are welcomed by Dante “Toto” Muyco Jr., who spoke passionately about the rise of Davao as the cacao capital of the Philippines. Here, sipping a rich and creamy cocoa beverage, I browsed through a dazzling array of local cacao products, from tablea to truffles, each proudly bearing the story of the farmers behind them.
The innovation continued at Cacao Culture Chocolate Shop inside Población Market Central. Co-founder Kenneth Lao introduced us to their innovative creations, think cacao nib brittle, chili-spiced bars, and chocolate-covered dried mangoes. Tradition and experimentation danced in harmony here, showing how cacao continues to evolve in local hands.
We ended our trail at Balik Bukid Farm and Kitchen, where cacao transcended taste and entered the realm of art. On display were intricate artworks made from cacao pigment. Over a dinner of Nilotlot, cooked traditionally in bamboo, we reflected on the full-circle journey: seed, soil, story, and now, sustenance.
CEB CRK-DVO Route
Flying back via Cebu Pacific’s convenient Clark-Davao route, my luggage was heavier with hand-molded chocolates and freshly roasted beans—but also with a deeper appreciation for what Davao offers. Here, the flavor is rooted in the labor of farmers, the wisdom of scientists, the vision of entrepreneurs, and the heritage of indigenous communities.
In every tree planted, bean harvested, and bar tasted, travelers don’t just witness—they participate. And in doing so, they become part of a living story that Davao continues to write—one cup and one bite at a time.
Travel Tip
Cebu Pacific Air flies thrice weekly from Clark International Airport to Davao, making it an easy getaway for Luzon-based travelers eager for a sensory-rich, soul-deep immersion into the heartlands of Filipino coffee and cacao.
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For more information on tour schedules, coordinate with Cybercribs Trips and Tours atcybercribtours@gmail.com, CES Travel and Tours at cestravelreservations@gmail.com
