11/05/2026
Congratulations, Ilonggo Brewthers!
FEM Paddock Club is proud especially for our very own Nicole John Relosa!
The Crew's here to support you! ๐ช๐ผ๐ช๐ผ๐ช๐ผ
'๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฐ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฌ' ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐
๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ
Iloiloโs thriving coffee scene is once again making waves on the national stage after โIlonggo Brewthers,โ a team of Ilonggo baristas, secured a spot in the National Finals of the ASEAN Barista Team Championship following a standout performance at the VisMin Eliminations held on May 9, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang, Davao City.
The Iloilo-based team is composed of:
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Joenil Modina of Coffee Brewtherhood
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Nicole John Relosa of FEM Paddock Club
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Karl Gabriel Aguilos of Baking Studio by Theoโs
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Kenneth Bryan Faulve of Baking Studio by Theos
Despite representing different cafรฉs and coffee establishments, the four came together under the banner of โIlonggo Brewthersโ to showcase their brewing skills, teamwork, and coffee expertise against some of the best barista teams from across the Visayas and Mindanao.
Competing against teams from Davao, Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, and Iloilo, the Ilonggo Brewthers earned a total of 65 points over two rounds of semifinals, securing one of the top two qualifying spots for the National Finals scheduled on June 11, 2026.
Davaoโs Finest emerged as the top team with 66 points in the semis, narrowly edging out the Ilonggo contingent by a single point. Still, the Iloilo team successfully advanced to the next stage of the competition after bowing to Davao's team, proving that Ilonggo coffee talent can compete at the highest level.
The VisMin eliminations were organized by the Philippine Coffee Board Inc. as part of the MAFBEX Davao 2026 expo. The event also marked the return of the VisMin leg to Davao City after five years.
Beyond the competition, the achievement reflects the continuous growth of Iloiloโs coffee culture, where local cafรฉs, baristas, and specialty coffee communities have steadily elevated the cityโs reputation in the Philippine coffee industry.
For the Ilonggo Brewthers, the next challenge awaits in Manila, where they will compete against the countryโs top teams for the chance to represent the Philippines in the 2027 ASEAN Barista Team Championship.
The overall national champions will earn the honor of facing Southeast Asiaโs best coffee professionals on the international stage โ and Iloilo now has a strong team brewing its way toward that dream.
