Inspiring the Next Generation of Baristas at Kaluppâ Foundation

1 July 2026 | Rafael Seño

Guided by their teacher, Ms. Rizza Mantaring, and mentored hand-in-hand by Kaluppâ’s own TESDA Barista NC II Scholars and trainers, 13 bright-eyed Grade 12 TechPro students from Matalaba National High School traded textbooks for commercial espresso machines to pull shots, foam milk, and discover the true art of specialty coffee in Santa Cruz, Marinduque.

Santa Cruz, Marinduque — On June 23, 2026, the room was filled with the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and a tangible sense of excitement. The Kaluppâ Foundation threw open its doors to welcome 13 vibrant, bright-eyed Grade 12 Bartending students from Matalaba National High School’s Technical-Professional (TechPro) track. Led by their passionate adviser, Ms. Rizza Mantaring, these learners stepped away from their usual textbooks and straight into an immersive, hands-on journey through the craft of specialty coffee.

Hands-on exploration: Matalaba NHS students get up close with essential barista tools and brewing gear.

A warm welcome: Executive Director Rafael Seño kicks off the immersion session with the visiting learners.

Interactive learning: A student shares his thoughts during a live, engaging discussion behind the coffee bar.

Behind the Bar: A Real Taste of the Coffee World

This visit was all about getting hands dirty and rolling up sleeves. Guided directly inside our TVET coffee bar, the high schoolers got to experience the day-to-day rhythm of a real barista:

Exploring Industry Tools: Getting up close and comfortable with professional espresso machines, commercial coffee grinders, and essential bar setups.
The Art of Manual Brewing: Discovering how simple shifts in water temperature, grind size, and timing dramatically transform the flavor profile of a pour-over brew.
Pulling Shots & Texturing Milk: Learning the precision behind a perfect espresso shot and mastering the silky microfoam needed for beautiful milk drinks.

Peer-to-peer mentoring: TESDA Scholar Dan Ferdinand Jao assists students during the barista equipment familiarization.

Crafting the brew: Scholar Karen Anne Mutya shares her expertise on manual coffee brewing equipment and techniques.

Espresso in action: Scholar Kim Solas confidently demonstrates commercial espresso machine operations to the eager learners.

Passing the Torch: TESDA Scholars Become Mentors

What made the day truly magical was watching our very own TESDA Barista NC II Scholars (Batch R4) step into leadership roles. Having walked in the high schoolers’ shoes not too long ago, our scholars warmly stepped up as trainers and mentors.

They patiently guided hands through espresso pulls, shared secret tricks for velvety latte art, and opened up about rewarding career paths in hospitality. It was a heartwarming circle of growth, seeing students inspire future students with confidence and kindness.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Kaluppâ TVET School in Santa Cruz, Marinduque, Grade 12 TechPro students from Matalaba National High School gather alongside their adviser, Ms. Rizza Mantaring, and the Kaluppâ Foundation team for a memorable group portrait. Fresh off an immersive day behind the bar, the vibrant smiles and cheerful peace signs capture the genuine excitement of a community brought together by learning.

The gathering celebrated a powerful bridge between secondary education and practical vocational excellence. From exploring commercial espresso machines to learning hand-in-hand from TESDA Barista NC II Scholars, these young learners traded traditional classroom lessons for real-world mentorship—leaving inspired and empowered to pursue their dreams in hospitality.

Voices of Inspiration

Nothing speaks louder than the voices of our learners. See how an immersive day behind the bar inspired both students and teachers alike.

"I am very grateful for the experience and new knowledge! It was my first time visiting the Kaluppâ Foundation, and I was so happy because I learned so much more about the equipment used to make different types of coffee."

— Joshua Rea, 16

"Getting to explore the tools, see the equipment in action, and learn from your Batch R4 Scholars was incredible. The R4 Scholars helped us memorize the tools, and their latte art was beautiful!"

— Ianna Rico, 16

"Thank you for giving us the opportunity to expose ourselves to industry-standard tools and equipment, and for generously sharing your knowledge about the coffee bar operations."

— Jim Martinez, 18

"Thanks to all the Kuyas, Ates, and Barista Batch R4 scholars who guided me... Thank you po everyone."

— Kean Romualdez, 17

"Thank you to the Barista NC II Batch R4 scholars for sharing your barista knowledge and skills. I learned so much from you."

— Rhaven Quizana, 18

"It was a true eye-opener for them, giving them a valuable glimpse into actual, real-world work. Though our time was short, it was overflowing with knowledge, skills, and excellence, generously shared by the Barista NC II Batch R4."

— Ms. Rizza Mantaring (Teacher, Grade 12 TechPro Track, Matalaba NHS)

Brewing Hope in Marinduque

We extend our deepest gratitude to Principal Maxima R. Marquez and Ms. Rizza Mantaring for trusting the Kaluppâ Foundation with their students' growth. By connecting high school education with hands-on vocational excellence, we continue our shared mission of uplifting Marinduque's youth with practical skills for a brighter, bolder future.

Images from Kaluppâ Foundation