In Sultan Kudarat, coffee is more than a warm cup to start the day. It is a heritage crop, a lifeline for farming communities, and now the centerpiece of a new tourism experience.
This identity comes into sharper focus with the launch of the Kape Mo’To Tour, the first coffee circuit spearheaded by the Department of Tourism Region 12 (DOT 12). The initiative aims to position the province as a leading coffee destination and strengthen its local value chain through tourism.
Launched on November 15, 2025, at the Tourism Rest Area in Tacurong City, the tour connects farms, cafés, and processing centers across the municipalities of Senator Ninoy Aquino (SNA), Bagumbayan, Esperanza, Isulan, and Tacurong City. Each stop offers a glimpse into the province’s vibrant coffee culture—from hillside Robusta farms to community cafés and roasting hubs.
The circuit features notable sites such as Denz Farm, Tinalon Farmers Association, Kape Dulangan Coffee Processing Factory, and the Black Shrine in SNA; Charmich Street Café, Isaan Farm, and Bansada Agri-Eco Park in Bagumbayan; well-loved halo-halo stalls and The Laundry Café in Esperanza; Otso Café Bar, 12:21 Café Bar, and Marieton Bakery Café in Isulan; and Whisk Café, Qetsiyah Café, the SKSU Coffee Cupping Laboratory, and A.C. Garcia Corporation in Tacurong.
More than a sightseeing tour, Kape Mo’To offers a full farm-to-cup experience. Visitors observe sustainable farming practices, learn about processing methods, and taste the province’s distinct Robusta profiles. By integrating motorcycle tourism, the initiative also appeals to adventurers eager to explore Sultan Kudarat’s landscapes on two wheels.
Preparing Communities for Tourism Growth
Ahead of the launch, DOT 12 conducted a two-day product audit in late October, evaluating both potential and existing farm tourism sites to ensure quality and safety standards. The region also hosted the Philippine Farmsthetics Training on November 4–5 in SNA, equipping farmers, café owners, and small entrepreneurs with skills to enhance visitor experience and design.
Assistant Regional Director Engr. Armin Hautea emphasized that experiential farm visits can deepen appreciation for local agriculture and bring additional income to rural communities.
To strengthen the tour’s framework, DOT 12 also organized an Accreditation Roadshow on November 4. They also led a Davao Coffee Tour Immersion on November 7, allowing Sultan Kudarat stakeholders to learn from best practices in Bansalan, Toril, and Ma-a.
A Coffee Industry Anchored in Community
Sultan Kudarat’s leadership in the national coffee industry adds weight to the initiative. In 2023, the province produced 35 percent of the country’s coffee supply, with roughly 19 million coffee trees across 20,437 hectares.
This strong production base empowers local farmers like award-winning Denz Bert Deramos, whose Robusta farm in SNA is now part of the circuit. For Deramos, the tour offers opportunities for both livelihood and cultural pride.
Café owners share the same enthusiasm. Kristoffer Laurence Angeles of Whisk Café says the tour elevates homegrown coffee and strengthens community ties. Tour operator Janice Diambulang Estrellas highlights the importance of meaningful storytelling and cultural immersion in each visit.
The Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) also supports the initiative through research and training, with its Coffee Cupping Laboratory offering visitors an introduction to quality assessment and brewing.
A New Chapter for SOX Tourism
DOT 12 Regional Director Nelia Arina describes the Kape Mo’To Tour as a stepping stone toward more mature coffee tourism circuits in the region. With every farm visit, café stop, and cultural encounter, the tour reinforces Sultan Kudarat’s growing reputation as one of the Philippines’ most promising coffee destinations.
Ultimately, Kape Mo’To is more than a route—it is a story of people, landscapes, and shared aspirations. As travelers trace the winding roads of Sultan Kudarat, they discover a province brewing its future through the strength of its communities and the richness of its land.
(Photos from DOT 12/Moon Multimedia PH/RMAmbat Creative Solutions)
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