Help, if you can

There’s a multitude of people, a lot of them children, who need help. Have you done your share? Surely you will find clothes in your closet that you no longer use, old blankets, shoes that are no longer in fashion. Check your cupboard for extra kitchen pots and pans, utensils, plates and cups. Pack them and send to the donation center near you. Without spending anything, you are able to ensure someone, some family, is clothed and fed, not only with these material things, but with the warmth of your compassion. Help now!

Sadly, we have reports that victims are being doubly victimized by politicians who tag the relief goods with their slogans. Will they ever stop being personally motivated? Also, some so called ‘helpers’ involved in packing donations keep part of the collection for themselves, stealing what could save someone from cold and hunger. When will we be completely selfless?

Amid the impending stronger typhoon (Pepeng) a group of women gathered at Chit’s Le Bistro, who brought a bit of sunshine to the otherwise very gloomy day. She and her friends, Rina and Jeannie, are forever crusading to protect the environment, at the same time help marginalized tribes, or the IPs (Indigenous People). Their thrust is (as the late Senator Raul S. Roco always expounded on), to provide knowledge rather than give material dole-outs. This team of three and their co-workers in the Peace & Equity Foundation are scouring the Philippines in search of the IPs with the goal of helping them improve their lives by gaining the know-how to preserve their art and culture, in the end improving their lives and earning more. The group injects a new spin on products they call “neo-traditional,” such as decorating bags with ethnic beads and innovating on the use of fruits and vegetables, like blending malunggay with pesto or infusing rice noodles with vegetables. A lot of these items have found their way to outlets like the Echostore in Serendra (soon at the Podium). The IPs are now starting to be aware of global trends and how they can put to good use their own creativity.

Declaring October as Coffe Month, the Philippine Coffee Board has scheduled coffee seminars, tours and other events as part of its celebration. Some of the activities are:

The Second National Coffee Summit, to be held at the AIM Conference Center, Oct. 26, 8am-5pm. With the theme “Creating Partnerships for Self Sufficiency in Coffee,” those attending the summit will learn about the steps the coffee industry is taking towards self sufficiency and will get the chance to meet the country’s coffee players. Presentations by partners and area directors of the different regions will shape the industry’s future.

Coffee Origins, a celebration of the best Philippine coffees at the Greenbelt 3, will be held from Oct. 13 to 26. There will be samples from different roasters and processors, small towns and private farms.

Seminars to be held : Oct. 14 – Professional Coffee Course with Barista 101, a basic and in-depth barista class. Food costing and machine maintenance will be included, as well as lessons on how to make specialty drinks and iced coffee concoctions. Oct. 17 – Basic Coffee 101 with Hands-on Barista by Chit Juan, Philippine Coffee Board, during which one can learn how to make espresso drinks using professional equipment. Oct. 20 – How to Put Up a Coffee Shop, also by Juan. Lessons on the basics of entering the most popular restaurant idea these days, how to choose a location and what to offer on the menu. Oct. 21 – Coffee Cupping. Cupping is to coffee as tasting is to wine. There are pros and cons, plus multi-sensory evaluation of coffees and how to blend them. Lastly, Oct. 22 – Coffee Farming, involving planting, fertilization, harvest, and computation of costs to start and maintain a farm.

Other than the Manila-based events, there will be Coffee Tours on Oct. 17 and 24, which will bring participants to Coffee Country to witness green coffee beans transform into freshly-roasted coffee and follow the journey of the coffee bean from farm to cup. Those interested in any of the programs can register by calling the PCBI Head Office telephone numbers 408-6513 or 813-1028. Look for Joyce Montalban or Pamela Serquiña or email [email protected].

Take your coffee. But now know how it comes about.

E-mail comments and questions to: [email protected].