New Manila barista bags national title

MANILA, Philippines -Aldrin Lumaban of Craft Coffee Revolution bags the nation’s most prestigious barista title, besting five of the country’s top-caliber baristas during the finals of the 2nd Philippine National Barista Championship held at Resorts World Manila.

Throughout his 15-minute routine, Lumaban wowed the panel of judges using natural processed single origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe composed of 60 percent pea berry and 40 percent long berry.  For his espresso, Lumaban instructed the judges to look for notes of orange, caramel and baker’s choco while notes of orange, butter scotch and milk choco for his cappuccino routine.  For the signature beverage, Lumaban used a “flavor deconstruction” approach breaking into four components the profile of his coffee into orange, caramel, dark choco and espresso.

This year’s winers (in order) are:

Aldrin Lumaban, Craft Coffee Revolution, New Manila, QC

John Louis Daniel Selorio, Coffee Empire, West Ave., QC

Adhler Miko Simangan, EDSA Beverage Design Group, Greenhills, Mandaluyong City

Joselito Argate, Coffee Empire, West Ave., QC

Jonathan Lorenzo Choi, Magnum Opus Fine Coffees, Aguirre Avenue, Parañaque City

Andre Philippe Chanco, Yardstick Coffee, Legaspi Village, Makati City

The 2nd Philippine National Barista Championship is organized by Allegro Beverage Corp. in partnership with the Association of Filipino Baristas Inc., the licensed national body to the Philippines of World Coffee Events, organizers of World Barista Championship, the preeminent international coffee competition.  The winner of the 2014 competition will officially represent the Philippines at the 2015 World Barista Championship in Seattle, USA.