#kapemapya

Kape Mapya is a remarkable coffee shop founded by John Paul Catibog, dedicated to showcasing the exceptional quality of local coffee beans and supporting sustainable farming practices. Established in Taytay and now expanded to Antipolo, Rizal, Kape Mapya has grown into a symbol of the power of local sourcing and community support.

A Commitment to Local Sourcing

Kape Mapya sources its coffee beans exclusively from the Cordillera Provinces in the Philippines, a region celebrated for its rich and flavorful coffee. This decision wasn't merely a business move but a heartfelt commitment to promoting local agriculture and supporting the economic well-being of farmers in the region. By choosing local beans, John Paul aimed to showcase their quality and versatility while ensuring that the profits benefit the local community.

Innovative Employment Practices

John Paul’s approach to employment is equally innovative. Kape Mapya employs a mix of full-time and part-time staff, with part-time positions often filled by working students. This initiative provides students with the opportunity to support their education while gaining valuable work experience. Full-time employees receive a daily wage of 725 pesos for a 12-hour workday, including meal allowance and incentive, ensuring their well-being and fair compensation. This policy ensures high employee retention and satisfaction, creating a stable and motivated workforce.

Embracing the 'Support Local' Advocacy

From its inception, Kape Mapya has embraced the "support local" advocacy, creating a business model that thrives economically while supporting the local community. John Paul’s early experiences with local coffee highlighted its potential, reinforcing his commitment to promoting local agriculture. By employing people from the local community, Kape Mapya not only provides job opportunities but also fosters a sense of community and support among employees and customers.

The Inspiration Behind Kape Mapya

John Paul’s motivation came from a deeply personal experience with local coffee. During a visit to Kalinga Province, an elderly resident brewed a cup of coffee for him using traditional methods and local beans. The experience was a revelation. "I personally tasted a freshly brewed coffee by an elderly resident from the Kalinga Province. And it blew my mind how delicious that cup of coffee was. It wasn’t brewed by a barista, but by a local," he recalls. This encounter inspired him to share the exceptional quality of local coffee with others.

Impact of Kalinga Beans

The introduction of Kalinga Robusta beans has had a transformative impact on Kape Mapya’s business and the local coffee industry. Known for its strong and robust flavor, Kalinga Robusta has differentiated Kape Mapya from other coffee shops and created a steady demand for these beans. This demand has positively impacted local farmers, providing them with a reliable source of income and encouraging sustainable farming practices.

Fair Wages and Community Impact

Kape Mapya’s commitment to fair wages ensures high employee retention and satisfaction. "Fair wages are essential to business because it ensures a high retention rate. Our first employee has been with us since day one," John Paul notes. This stability allows Kape Mapya to maintain consistent service and quality, crucial for building a loyal customer base. Local employment also reduces travel time for workers, allowing them to spend more time with their families and contributing to less traffic congestion.

An Inclusive Workplace

Kape Mapya has created an inclusive workplace by not requiring prior employment experience. This policy has attracted many working students who appreciate the flexible schedules accommodating their academic commitments. "We made sure that having job experience is not a requirement for us; hence, more working students have taken interest in a job in our company," John Paul states. This inclusive approach provides valuable opportunities for young workers to gain experience and support their education.

Looking to the Future

John Paul envisions a future where Kape Mapya continues to uplift the local coffee culture. His goal is to establish a roastery to take full control of quality and work closely with farmers. "Our vision is to dive into the roots of Philippine coffee culture, to the point where we have our own roastery. Taking full control of the quality of working closely with the farmers," he explains. This approach will allow Kape Mapya to continue promoting the unique qualities of Philippine coffee and encouraging customers to choose local.

Community and Environmental Impact

By offering an alternative to imported coffee, Kape Mapya encourages customers to support local farmers, sustaining local agriculture and ensuring fair compensation for their produce. Local employment reduces commute times, contributing to less traffic congestion and supporting community well-being. Sourcing local beans also cuts the carbon footprint associated with importing coffee, aligning with sustainable practices and climate action goals.