Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

FEATURES

Continuing The Legacy
by Gio Anton T. Barroga (September 17, 2020)
A PHilMech-recommended technology has paved the way for a coffee producer in Aurora, to continue her late father’s legacy of producing high quality coffee.

Located in Diarabasin, Dipaculao, Aurora is a small, family-owned business headed by Princess Fabrigas – owner of the Fabrigas Enterprises. Established in 2008 by Princess’ late father, Luisito, Fabrigas Enterprises has become a popular coffee producer in the province.

Like many companies in its early days, Fabrigas Enterprise was no stranger to humble beginnings – starting with a manual huller and grinder, with a goal to produce quality coffee from export reject coffee beans. Labor was intensive.

Four years into the business of producing good quality coffee, Luisito was introduced to PHilMech’s Engr. Rodel Idago, who, in turn, introduced the All-Weather Dryer (AWD) to Princess’ father. Along with this, PHilMech was also able to provide Luisito with 2 steel pulpers through DA Region 3.

The AWD is part of PHilMech’s recommended coffee processing technology system. The use of the AWD allows coffee producers to enhance the quality of their coffee beans by making sure that their coffee beans are dried efficiently and safely as the structure of the AWD also protects the coffee beans from aerial contaminants such as dust that could potentially ruin the quality of the coffee beans.

With the use of the AWD, what would usually take Luisito 2 weeks to dry coffee beans have now been greatly reduced to just a week. This allows him to dry more coffee beans, allowing him to keep up with the growing demand for their coffee.

Sadly, in 2015, Luisito passed away, leaving Princess to take over the business. Originally a graduate of education, her father’s influence, as well as her interest in coffee production (stemming from an early age), made it a no-brainer for her to continue her father’s legacy.

Success followed Princess after taking over the business. While many of what she does with the business originated from her father, her own efforts contributed to the success their enterprise experiences now.

A soar in demand for their coffee in 2015 allowed them to upscale their production by hiring more manpower to assist them with their day-to-day tasks. The addition of the AWD also allowed them to process more coffee beans, specifically those coming from the Diarabasin Coffee Farmers and Processors Association. They were also able to hire some of its members to operate their equipment.

Initially, their products were sold and used at the Costa Pacifica hotel in Baler. Nowadays, their products are sold in various pasalubong centers in Aurora. Her participation in various trade fairs as well as PHilMech’s own market expo allows her to market her products all over the country. Her success in the coffee industry also allowed her to set up her small coffee shop in front of her home (featured in GMA’s Biyahe ni Drew back in 2018), giving her the much-needed publicity to market her products.

With the help of PHilMech, paired with the characteristics that made Princess’ father successful, Princess can rest easy knowing that her father would’ve been proud of what his daughter has achieved.