Specialty coffee in the Philippines boasts a community-driven and inclusive culture. A reflection of this are the female coffee professionals working towards making coffee a fun way to discover local cafes and drinks.
With the steady rise of the specialty coffee scene in the Philippines, people have begun to put a spotlight on women coffee roasters, baristas, and farmers. At the same time, social media has played a major role in amplifying their presence. More people now view coffee as a creative outlet and produce coffee-related content online, making specialty coffee feel more approachable to wider audiences. Alongside the growing presence of women behind the counter and online, female coffee professionals in the Philippines are also stepping into entrepreneurship by opening their own cafes and managing roasters.
For this year’s women in specialty coffee, we’ve asked some professionals from the industry to share how they first dived into the scene and how they’re using coffee as a creative outlet.
Misha Salud
@mishalud
DJ and former Head Barista of Dahan Coffee
Go-to Coffee: Pour-over, fun/signature drink, iced Americano
Misha was first introduced to specialty coffee in 2015 when she began exploring local coffee shops during her college years. The friendly atmosphere and welcoming baristas were what sparked Misha’s interest in becoming one herself.
“I first started my training at Need Coffee by Daniel Roque (2016 Aeropress Champion). Not only did I learn the basics of brewing coffee and pulling shots, but I also developed a deep appreciation for specialty coffee and the third wave movement.”
During her role as Head Barista of Dahan Coffee, Misha would combine her love for coffee with fashion, bringing out a fun side to what is often seen as a technical job.
“While I was a Head Barista at Dahan, I created a TikTok series called “Drip of the Day,” which has a double meaning—both brewing coffee and showing off my outfit for the day. This allowed me to combine two of my passions into something that is ultimately me.”
For newcomers who are starting to venture into the world of specialty coffee in the Philippines, Misha believes exploration is the key to discovering what drinks you love the most.
“Enjoy eating and drinking! Taste as many fruits, nuts, and flavors as you can. Drink good coffee, bad coffee—everything. You can even keep a coffee journal and write about your experiences, from the tasting notes to the mouthfeel, the aroma, the brewer used, the time, everything.”
Nicole Jan
@__n.jan
Barista of Hometown Cafe - Subic
Go-to Coffee: Hot Spanish Latte from Hometown Cafe
Despite having limited knowledge on specialty coffee, Nicole began working in Hometown Cafe as a part-time barista back in 2024.
“I had zero knowledge of specialty coffee, especially since I wasn’t even a coffee drinker myself. With the help of the [Hometown Cafe] team, I have learned a lot about what specialty coffee is.”
Although some aspects of preparing coffee can be quite meticulous, there is also quite a lot of room for creativity to shine through.
“My curiosity for coffee grew alongside my understanding of the science behind it. Now, it’s a full sensory journey where I can be creative with every bean and every parameter. It’s been an incredible process of refining recipes and turning a basic routine into a genuine passion.”
Much like Misha, Nicole encourages everyone to be adventurous with brewing coffee in order to find one that suits your own unique tastes.
“It’s important to never stop learning and exploring; with coffee, there is always something new to discover every day. The way you brew—whether for yourself or for someone else—is a reflection of who you truly are. Your effort is what makes the coffee special.”
Jessica Lorriz
@jessibrews
Cafe Owner of Altitud Coffee and President of Las Pinas Coffee Collective
Go-to Coffee: Americano, Espresso on the rocks, floral pour-over
Altitud Coffee was born out of a desire to create a space for organic encounters and establish a welcoming community for all those who walk through its doors.
“We created Altitud not only out of our love for coffee, but from a deeper desire to build a place of encounter, a space where people can truly be themselves and share their passions.”
Along with this, one of Altitud Coffee’s goals is for all its customers to find a deeper appreciation for specialty coffee.
“Promoting local coffees is a huge start to help Philippine specialty coffee. We always encourage our customers to join our cupping sessions, brewing, and anything that will help them understand the coffee value chain.”
For Jessica, brewing coffee is a way of expressing your feelings in every cup and allowing the people you serve to experience joy from this.
“For me, brewing coffee is similar to cooking or making music, it’s a way to translate your feelings and intention into something people can taste and enjoy.”
Erika Rodica-Lee
@erikarodica
Chief Marketing Officer of Plain Sight Coffee
Go-to Coffee: Pour-over
Sometimes, it’s the people around you that influence you to try something new. In Erika’s case, it was appreciating the craft and intention behind specialty coffee.
“I got into specialty coffee because of my then-best friend, now husband. He started the business in 2015 and introduced me to the world of specialty coffee. It was only around 2021 when he asked me to help build the retail and marketing side of Plain Sight, which is really my area of expertise.”
Plain Sight Coffee has always stood behind its goal of making specialty coffee approachable rather than intimidating and overly technical.
“Good coffee should feel accessible and part of everyday life. So when we think about marketing, we focus on telling authentic stories, keeping things relatable, and building a real sense of community. Over the years we’ve worked with different brands, other coffee companies, creatives, and communities.”
As interest in the specialty coffee scene in the Philippines continues to grow, more cafes and coffee roasteries have begun to pop up. As a female coffee professional engaged in the marketing aspect of the industry, Erika believes that finding your own creative direction is essential to thrive.
“Don’t be afraid to try new things or be unconventional. The most interesting brands are usually the ones that bring something unexpected into the space. For us, that meant leaning into storytelling, design, and collaborations with different brands and communities.”
These four female coffee professionals prove that specialty coffee doesn’t have to be overly technical or intimidating. They each emphasize that coffee can become a creative outlet by allowing your own personality and interests to shine in every brew.
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