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Manila Bulletin devider Environment and Sustainability devider Local craftsmanship and sustainable living at the BIYAYA Festival

Local craftsmanship and sustainable living at the BIYAYA Festival

Published Aug 26, 2026 07:00 am  |  Updated Aug 25, 2026 08:27 pm
The BIYAYA Sustainable Living Festival opened at SM Megamall on July 17, bringing together coffee farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs and sustainability advocates showcasing Filipino craftsmanship and community initiatives.
Visitors crowd the main entrance of the BIYAYA Sustainable Living Festival (Photo by Sean Fernando).
Visitors crowd the main entrance of the BIYAYA Sustainable Living Festival (Photo by Sean Fernando).
Organizers, industry partners, exhibitors, and guests gathered for the festival's opening ceremony, which focused on supporting local enterprises, sustainable livelihoods, and Philippine coffee communities.
During the ceremony, organizers recognized Filipino coffee producers who received international honors from the Agency for the Valorization of Agricultural Products (AVPA) in Paris. Among them was Felipa Lyn Delusen Villicana of Sagada, Mountain Province, who received the Gourmet Gold Medal (Hors Catégorie) for Coffee Bean Excellence.
Lilian Castro-Selda, vice chairman and CFO of Palawan Group of Companies; Rich Watanabe, founder of Coffee Heritage Project and BIYAYA Festival (second from right), stand with local coffee farmers recognized by the AVPA and other guests.
Lilian Castro-Selda, vice chairman and CFO of Palawan Group of Companies; Rich Watanabe, founder of Coffee Heritage Project and BIYAYA Festival (second from right), stand with local coffee farmers recognized by the AVPA and other guests.
Throughout the festival, visitors viewed exhibits featuring locally roasted coffee, sustainable products, handcrafted goods, and social enterprises. Coffee tastings, demonstrations, and educational sessions covered the country's coffee-growing regions and local production.
The event also demonstrated how small businesses are adapting digital tools. As the festival's official e-wallet partner, PalawanPay provided digital payment processing for exhibitors and visitors.
The official Palawan Group of Companies booth at the BIYAYA Sustainable Living Festival (Photo by Sean Fernando).
The official Palawan Group of Companies booth at the BIYAYA Sustainable Living Festival (Photo by Sean Fernando).
In a media interview, Vice Chairman and CFO of the Palawan Group of Companies Lilian Castro-Selda said the company's partnership with the BIYAYA Sustainable Living Festival reflects its effort to support Filipino entrepreneurs.
“So for Biyaya in particular, we've been really very interested since the time that we met them. Because ito nga yung mga small coffee farmers who are winning; internationally, they've been awarded. So coffee farmers, and then weavers, really to help support our small industries,” she said.
Castro-Selda noted that providing individuals and businesses with access to financial tools helps them participate in the economy, adding that collaboration between organizations and community initiatives plays a role in supporting local enterprises.
Beyond coffee, BIYAYA featured locally made products and vendors promoting sustainable practices, including artisan crafts and environmentally conscious goods. By bringing together farmers, entrepreneurs, and consumers, the festival focused on community-based enterprises and local production.

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Small businesses BIYAYA Sustainable Living Festival PalawanPay
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