Barako Fest a ‘celebration of everything and anything Batangueño’

February 15, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The ongoing Barako Fest 2025 in the city of Lipa, Batangas is more than just a celebration of the province’s rich culture and tradition. It is also a way to draw tourism into the land of the kapeng barako and promote micro and macro entrepreneurship of the province.

Event-goers can still catch the 2025 edition, now happening at the Manila-Batangas Bypass Road, Marawoy, Lipa City until today (Feb. 15).

The STAR was able to attend the first day of the three-day event, which coincided with the ground breaking ceremony for The Bean at Barako Triangle, a park featuring a coffee bean-shaped structure, and the inauguration ceremony for the construction of the Manila Batangas Bypass Road Section 3.

Now on its third year, the Barako Fest organizers mounted various events for festival-goers, including battle of the bands, sports fest (basketball and billiards), trade and food exhibits, car and motor shows, celebrity games, among others.

Juan Karlos, Arthur Nery, Al James, Nik Makino and will perform at the music fest while Boss Toyo, Von Ordoña, Dane Grospe, Cherry White, Whamos, Pio Balbuena, Toni Fowler, Ava Mendez, Sachzna Laparan, Ato and friends, Jayzar Recinto and Bisaya Squad will be part of the content creator fest.

“The Star for All Seasons” and former Batangas governor and congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, together with her sons Luis Manzano and Ryan Christian Santos-Recto, led the opening of the festival along with Luis’ wife, Jessy Mendiola, Lipa mayor Eric Africa, Lipa councilor Mikee Morada, Batangas city local officials, event sponsors and partners.

The Barako Fest 2025 was organized by Mentorque Productions headed by John Bryan Diamante, in partnership with San Miguel Corporation and Angkas and supported by various local businesses and stakeholders.

“Team work — that is the magic word,” Vilma said on the successful run of the program. “We will continue to work as a team and as a family here in the province of Batangas. For the Barako Fest, this is our third year. We’re very proud of this Barako Fest because ito ngayon ang nilalatag namin dito sa Lipa, along with other cities in the province.

“Marami ho kaming ipagmalaki sa Barako Fest. Lahat po ng mga kaya naming ipagmalaki sa Batangas ay lalabas at lalabas habang nag-grow at habang tumatagal pa ang aming Barako Fest.”

The Barako Fest is a “celebration of everything and anything Batangueño,” remarked Luis. “This is just the beginning. ‘Pag pinag-usapan natin ang lalawigan ng Batangas, we will not just talk about coffee and balisong. When you say Batangas, may magsasabi na, ‘Teka, diyan yung Barako Fest. I want to go there.’”

Ryan added that they are proud of the festival because it’s an event where people come together to showcase the various products of the local community. “Let’s support them,” he said.

For John Bryan, Barako Fest 2025 is a “celebration that goes beyond coffee.”

“While we take immense pride in our world-renowned Kapeng Barako, this festival is also about something greater: the spirit, resilience, and values of Batangueños,” he said in his opening speech.

“Barako Fest is a tribute to the strength, courage, and unity that define us as a people. Just like our bold and strong coffee, Batangueños stand firm, face challenges head-on, and embrace progress while staying true to our roots. This festival is a testament to our shared vision of uplifting our culture, supporting our local industries, and ensuring a bright future for our province.”

He further told The STAR at a presscon that Barako Fest’s long term goal is to boost the city’s micro and macro businesses.

According to John Bryan, there are 500 micro and macro entrepreneurs in Batangas. “The purpose of Department of Finance secretary Ralph Recto is for all the entrepreneurs to have a chance for them to grow their businesses. This is not just about kasiyahan but (also) to give Batangueños and the more than 500 business owners, establishments, artisans, farmers, na kasali dito, a chance.”

Last year, there were 200,000 guests who came to the festival and they hoped to target 300,000 attendees this year.

“Pag tama yung vision I think malayo pa po ang mararating ng Barako Fest,” he added.

Meanwhile, Eleven11, a rising P-pop girl group, composed of Barbie, Audrey, Ivy, CJ, Swaggy and Jade, was introduced at the event. Their music genre is a mixed of pop, hip-hop and R&B.