Iloilo’s thriving coffee scene is once again making waves on the national stage after “Ilonggo Brewthers,” 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:
✅Joenil Modina of Coffee Brewtherhood
✅Nicole John Relosa of FEM Paddock Club
✅Karl Gabriel Aguilos of Baking Studio by Theo’s
✅Kenneth Bryan Faulve of Baking Studio by Theos
Despite representing different cafés and coffee establishments, the four came together under the banner of “Ilonggo Brewthers” 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.
Davao’s 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 Iloilo’s coffee culture, where local cafés, baristas, and specialty coffee communities have steadily elevated the city’s reputation in the Philippine coffee industry.
For the Ilonggo Brewthers, the next challenge awaits in Manila, where they will compete against the country’s 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 Asia’s best coffee professionals on the international stage — and Iloilo now has a strong team brewing its way toward that dream.
