Nueva Vizcaya has long been known for producing outstanding talent, from beauty queens to athletes, and now, the province is proudly celebrating its newest rising stars in the world of coffee brewing, Rogiemar Gerodias and Armando Barrero. Both brewers from the province have made a name for themselves on the international stage, bringing pride to Nueva Vizcaya at the 2025 ASEAN Coffee Brewers League (ACBL) in Bangkok, Thailand, held on October 11-13, 2025.
Barrero, owner of Bake and Brew Coffee Shop, has relocated from Poblacion North, Solano, to Bonfal West. Gerodias, a licensed architect and the proprietor of Cahaya Coffee Shop, is a resident of (Bangkag) Homestead, Bambang.
Gerodias and Barrero’s journeys to the ACBL began with impressive victories in the Philippine Coffee Brewers League (PCBL). Rogiemar Gerodias was crowned champion of the PCBL Pampanga Leg, outshining over 60 competitors from Luzon, while Armando Barrero claimed 1st place at the PCBL GenSan Leg, defeating more than 40 participants from Mindanao. Their triumphs earned them spots in the prestigious ACBL, where they represented the Philippines as part of a 15-member delegation.
At the 2025 ACBL, the two Novo Vizcayanos stole the spotlight, showcasing their incredible talent and dedication to the craft. Alongside other regional champions from across the Philippines, Gerodias and Barrero displayed exceptional skill, creativity, and passion, competing against some of Asia’s best brewers. In a highly competitive field of over 80 international brewers, all Filipino team members, including Gerodias and Barrero, made it to the quarterfinals.
Barrero and Gerodias both advanced through the Individual Category, where they faced off against the region’s elite. Barrero, in particular, earned a spot in the semifinals, demonstrating not only technical precision but also the distinct flavors that have become synonymous with Philippine coffee. His performance in the Individual Category was a testament to his growth as a brewer, while Gerodias impressed in every round with his impeccable brewing techniques.
During the Team Showdown, the two Novo Vizcayanos teamed up with the brewers Justine Ramon and Lloydin Mae Uga of Digos City, showing inspiring grit after an early elimination. Despite the setback, the team fought back in the Wildcard round, with Barrero seizing the coveted Top Cup, while Ramon secured a quarterfinal spot after a thrilling tiebreaker. Their teamwork and sensory skills under pressure were a key factor in pushing them to the later stages of the competition.
While Team Philippines fell short of reaching the finals, the performances of Rogiemar Gerodias and Armando Barrero earned them deep respect from their competitors and a renewed sense of pride in the Philippine coffee community. Barrero’s accomplishments, including advancing to the semifinals and securing the Top Cup, solidified his reputation as one of the Philippines’ top coffee brewers.
As Team Philippines returns home from Bangkok, the achievements of these two brewers from Nueva Vizcaya have inspired a new wave of coffee enthusiasts and budding baristas across the country. The experience has fueled their determination to continue improving, with plans to return even stronger in future competitions. For Gerodias and Barrero, this international exposure is only the beginning, Nueva Vizcaya’s coffee brewing talent is now firmly on the map, and the world is watching. #jmcb
[Photo courtesy of Rogiemar Gerodias]
[This article was initially created on Facebook – Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya. For PGNV updates, visit: https://www.facebook.com/vizcayareporter]
