Seoul, 13 June 2026 – Philippine coffee was featured at the recently held 4th Gongneung Forest Trail Coffee Festival in Nowon District, Seoul, where Ambassador Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez joined ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in celebrating coffee culture from around the world. Held under the theme “Coffee Culture Journey,” the festival brought together coffee-producing and coffee-loving countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, Ethiopia, Bahrain, Kenya, Tanzania, Laos, Viet Nam, Myanmar, Ecuador, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, China, and Honduras.

The Philippines was represented by the Philippine Department of Tourism–Korea Office, headed by Tourism Attache Dr. Erwin Balane, in cooperation with Kaulayaw Coffee. Over the two-day festival, visitors sampled Philippine coffee and learned more about the country’s growing coffee culture and destinations.

Ahead of the opening ceremony, Nowon District Mayor Oh Seung Rok and National Assembly Member Woo Won Shik, former Speaker of the National Assembly, hosted a reception for ambassadors and diplomatic representatives. Guests also toured the Mahlwerk Coffee Grinder Museum, which houses a collection of more than 1,100 coffee grinders.

Ambassador Fernandez expressed appreciation to Nowon District for bringing together countries, communities, and coffee enthusiasts through a festival that honors not only the love of coffee, but also the farmers and producers behind every cup. END