Nescafe's Kwentong Kapihan sessions at Puregold Convention

CEBU, Philippines - PUREGOLD suki store owners from all over Metro Manila packed the seminar room of the World Trade Center to take part in NESCAFÉ’s first-ever Kwentong Kapihan—a gathering that allowed them to learn the basics of coffee appreciation.

NESCAFÉ’s Kwentong Kapihan is a venue where participants are given the chance to learn, experience and enjoy coffee. NESCAFÉ’s Kwentong Kapihan was held in partnership with Puregold during their 4th annual Puregold Sari-Sari Store Convention.

Well over a hundred sari-sari store owners attended Kwentong Kapihan in each of its three-day sessions. Kwentong Kapihan was such a success that there were problems in seating and accommodating the participants.

“We did not expect the huge turnout,” said Macoy Manuel, Key Accounts Manager for NESTLE for Puregold. “Definitely for succeeding sessions, we plan to hold it at the Plenary area.”

Sari-sari store owners listened in rapt attention as NESCAFÉ coffee experts Rudy Trillanes and Luis Gonzales presented the history of coffee, followed by a discussion of the process that turns the coffee beans into instant coffee.

The speakers also touched on several aspects of coffee cupping or tasting. They taught participants what to look for in their cup of coffee, and how they can develop a more discriminating taste when it comes to coffee.

Like students in a classroom, the sari-sari store owners were diligently taking down notes and actively taking part in the discussions. The one-hour sessions were hardly enough for the participants, who had clearly acquired a new appreciation and passion for coffee.

During program breaks, the organizers held quiz games that tested the participants’ newfound coffee knowledge. At stake was no less than NESCAFÉ’s iconic red mug, which was given away to the public for the first time.

Actress Jolina Magdangal, a coffee drinker herself, served as Kwentong Kapihan’s host in its first two days. The TV hosts tandem of Ariel and Maverick emceed program’s last session.

Catch the next leg of NESCAFÉ’s Kwentong Kapihan on July 4-5 at Nestlé’s I Choose Wellness Event at the Megatrade Hall of the SM Megamall.