Joji (aka Lakambini Mapayapa) graduated from the University of Santo Tomas (B.Sc., 1979). She also studied International Relations at the University of the Philippines. She moved to Canada in 1986 and since then developed a successful career in the investment and financial industry. She returned to the Philippines in 2006. As CEO of Coffee For Peace, Inc., she became the Women Entrepreneur Winner of CitiBank-Business in Development Network, Philippines in 2010. She also received, in 2015, an N-Peace Award from the United Nations Development Program – Impact Investment Exchange Asia (UNDP-IIXAsia) in behalf of the women who comprise the 80 percent of the farming farmers of Coffee For Peace, Inc. She was invited for the N-Peace Awards Ceremony at One UN Hotel, New York, NY. In October of 2017, Lakambini completed her Master of Entrepreneurship in Social Enterprise Development, Ateneo de Manila University - Graduate School of Business. Asked why she left her career in Vancouver, Canada for Mindanao: “I can’t imagine having a summary of my life printed on my tombstone as: ‘Spent her life managing rich people’s money.’ I want to be remembered as: ‘A person who walked with the people as they find dignity through sustainable economic development.’”
Author's posts
I’M HAPPY TO SEE THE LAUNCHING OF “KAPEHAN SA DAVAO” NETWORK’S INCUBATION PROGRAM
Last 06-07 July 2023, the Kapehan Sa Davao Network launched the Social Impact Business Incubation Program (SIBIP) for eight coffee enterprises in Region 11. It was held at Coffee For Peace Café in Davao City. I’m so inspired by the enthusiastic participation of Kape Ora, Kepeweñoz Specialty Coffee, Peding’s Café, Kape Maddiger, Gré Coffee, Tres Rosas Coffee Farm, Tribung Kape, and Kapeyapaan Farmers’ Association. These Incubation Sessions were facilitated by Upgrade Innolab Inc. This program is funded by Asian Development Bank’s SUNPh Program, to whom I and the whole Kapehan Sa Davao Network are grateful. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that the SIBIP will have on the coffee industry in the provinces of the Greater Davao Region.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2023/07/09/im-happy-to-see-the-launching-of-kapehan-sa-davao-networks-incubation-program/
WE’RE PART OF ‘TEAM PHILIPPINES’ AT THE SPECIALTY COFFEE EXPO 2023 IN PORTLAND, OREGON
It was a great opportunity to be chosen as one of the representatives of the Philippine coffee industry to participate at the Specialty Coffee Expo 2023 held in Portland, Oregon last 21-23 April 2023. As President & CEO of Coffee For Peace (CFP), I’m grateful to the efforts of the Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA) in bringing coffee industry stakeholders from the Philippines to this international coffee exhibition. By participating in this premier event, Filipino coffee industry players like me were able to showcase our products and connect with the international decision makers in the industry, gaining exposure to global markets and expanding our business opportunities.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2023/04/27/cfp-is-represented-at-the-specialty-coffee-expo-2023-in-portland-oregon/
COFFEE FOR PEACE OPENS A KIOSK AT THE ABREEZA MALL IN DAVAO CITY
I heard that the Ayala Corporation is supporting social enterprises by offering free space in their chain of malls throughout the country. Last 19 April 2021, I got a call from one of their representatives inquiring if I was interested in opening a 26-square-meter shop at the Ayala Abreeza Mall in Davao City as part of their Alagang Ayala Land Program. My first reaction was to pray. Then I established my objectives in light of the vision and mission of Coffee for Peace. I presented the plan to our community and to the management team of CFP. Our team recruited new interns and prepared them for this opportunity. Last 16 September 2021, we opened the Coffee for Peace Kiosk at Abreeza.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2021/09/26/coffee-for-peace-opens-a-kiosk-at-the-abreeza-mall-in-davao-city/
THE BAGOBO TAGABAWA IN BINATON COMPLETES SIX-MONTH ‘INCLUDEV’ TRAINING
16-17 September 2021. After the six-month Inclusive Development Training, the Bagobo Tagabawa community in Barangay Binaton, Digos City begins a long-term partnership with the PBCI-CFP Tribe. This partnership involves community-based, culturally contextualized Social Enterprise Development framed in Peace and Reconciliation (PAR) principles and practices. Because 80% of the participants in this program are women, we are giving greater emphasis on indigenous women’s leadership development. We are sharing the aspiration of the Bagobo Tagabawa Indigenous People to realize and enjoy their right to self-determination and to protect their ancestral domain.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2021/09/17/the-bagobo-tagabawa-in-binaton-completes-six-month-includev-training/
WE’RE ENJOYING ZYLIE ESTRELLA—OUR MINDANAO-BASED GRANDCHILD
Baby Zylie Estrella Velasco Pantoja was born last 30 July 2018 at 1531 PHT at the Davao Doctor’s Hospital. She’s born to Mandy Velasco, a fashion designer in Davao City, and Daniel Byron — our son. Zylie is our youngest and 7th grandchild.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2018/08/31/were-enjoying-zylie-estrella-our-mindanao-based-grandchild/
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OUR DISTINCT BUT INSEPARABLE ROLES
