A List of Our Favorite Blog Entries from 2013

* You will only realize that you had a long year when it is finally over (sigh of relief). The year 2013 was our first full year operating as a restaurant at the place formerly known as Arla Diner. Running a restaurant is way waaay different from running a small cafe and so it was a whole new experience for all of us. Before the clock strikes 12, we're listing down our favorite blog entries for 2013. Thank You Lord for this amazing year!

Jan. 2 - Our First Year in a New Barangay

http://cafeantonioelbi.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-new-year-in-new-barangay-we-thank-you.html

Feb. 6 - Elmer Umali's Coffee Journey to the Philippine National Barista Championship 2013 

http://cafeantonioelbi.blogspot.com/2013_02_01_archive.html

March 11 - Company Fitness Program with Red Gloves Boxing Gym at Monde-Nissin

http://cafeantonioelbi.blogspot.com/2013_03_01_archive.html

April 30 - CAnton's Fifth Anniversary

http://cafeantonioelbi.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html

May 23 - PNBC 2013 Champ, Kevin Fortu's Visit

http://cafeantonioelbi.blogspot.com/2013/05/kevins-surprise-visit-to-canton.html

June 10 - New Flag Signage

http://cafeantonioelbi.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-signage-dilemma.html

July 8 - Coffee Unplugged at Weddings @ Work Grand EB at Le Pavilion

http://cafeantonioelbi.blogspot.com/2013/07/weddings-work-grand-eb.html

Aug. 3 - Dada Igdanes' Journey to the Philippine Barista Challenge 2013 and Gabes Torres' "Wonder" Album Launch

http://cafeantonioelbi.blogspot.com/2013/08/philippine-barista-challenge-2013-elims.html

Sept. 23 - Lanz Mirondo's Coffee Workshop

http://cafeantonioelbi.blogspot.com/2013/09/small-town-coffee-revival.html

Nov. 28 - Coffee Unplugged at Kainang Masaya Food and Wellness Fair, UPLB

http://cafeantonioelbi.blogspot.com/2013/11/coffee-unplugged-uplb-on-december-3.html

Dec. 23 - Visit to Mt. Makiling Coffee Community

http://cafeantonioelbi.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-coffee-growing-community-in-our.html

Organically Grown Lettuce from the UPOU Organic Demo Farm

The UP Open University is just a few minutes away from the cafe. We got three kilos of romaine lettuce, green lettuce, and lolo rosa lettuce this morning to use for our salads. We also set aside a few to sell to our customers at Php 300 per kilo.

Mary Jane and Rey of the UPOU Demo Farm planted the lettuce in November. Thanks to Dr. Blesilda Calub for informing us about this morning's harvest.

Learn more about organic agriculture and attend the UPOU Organic Agriculture orientation on January 25 at UPOU, Los Banos. Check out the link below for more details:

http://www2.upou.edu.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=510%3A-organic-agriculture&catid=5&Itemid=36

A Coffee Growing Community in Our "Backyard"

Coffee farmer, Mang Romy with his grandson (Photo by Kimmy Baraoidan)

Stopping by coffee farmer Pet's house (Photo by Kimmy Baraoidan)

That's me checking out the ripe robusta coffee cherries (Photo by Chris Quintana)

Sonny Martires of Yakap Kalikasan told me several months ago about a small community of arabica and robusta coffee growers in Mt. Makiling. He asked me if I was interested to check it out. 

Coincidentally, my friend, Kimmy Baraoidan, was looking for a thesis topic for her master's in sociology. Together with our friend, Chris Quintana, we went to the coffee community to check out the plantations and the coffee farmers.

We're planning to get small batches of coffee from these small-scale coffee farmers. Also, it would be great if we can teach the community to use organic methods of coffee growing.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Break: December 24 - 26
Regular Operations will resume on December 27, 11 AM to 10 PM

A New Food Movement in Los Banos

"The Health Walk" is a unique healthy lifestyle adventure for both locals and tourists as 

they visit and dine in different restaurants, cafes, shops, and fitness and wellness centers  around the community that advocate healthy living in Los Banos. 

For more information, please LIKE "The Health Walk" on Facebook.

www.facebook.com/thehealthwalk

Partner establishments and supporters (as of today):

Ashoka Indian Healthy Cuisine

Satya Graha Cafe and Restaurant

Cafe Antonio Small Town Coffee Brewers Inc.

Kaphe: The Alternative Coffee Shop

Red Gloves Boxing Gym

Batacan's Ortho Dental Clinic

Makiling Hillside Delicacies

The Garden Kitchen