Tag: Joji Pantoja
The Bagobo-Tagabawa of Upper Catigan, Toril, Davao City, are an indigenous community rooted in rich traditions and ancestral stewardship of the Mt. Apo foothills. Despite their legal recognition under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act, they continue to face encroachment from settlers, developers, and commercial interests. Their struggle is not only about land but about dignity, cultural survival, and ecological balance. As Chair and CEO of Coffee for Peace, Inc., and as President of both the Davao City and Davao Regional Coffee Councils, I have witnessed these challenges firsthand. The Bagobo-Tagabawa entrusted me with the title Bai Kasunayan, a sacred responsibility to walk with them in truth and trust. Through agroforestry initiatives and coffee social entrepreneurship, we have worked together to link their ancestral wisdom with sustainable livelihoods. This partnership demonstrates how indigenous aspirations can align with regional coffee development and climate resilience. Yet it also calls policymakers and the wider public to ensure that justice, inclusion, and ancestral land protection remain at the heart of development in Mindanao.
Continue reading
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2025/05/beyond-farmers-in-a-supply-chain-the-bagobo-tagabawa-coffee-producers-of-upper-catigan/
The Obo Manobo Coffee Farmers sent their representatives at the Philippine Coffee Expo 2022 (PCE2022) to present their initial product. Datu Romeo Andot, Bai Gemma Andot, and Alvin Baroro were sent by the Manobo Apao Descendants Ancestral Domain of Mount Apo (MADADMA). They were accompanied by Rich Paul Calceta and Don Tormis of the Corporate Social Responsibility Department of Energy Development Corporation (CSR-EDC). Sihaya Ansibod, PBCI Field Operations Director assisted them. The Obo Manobo Coffee presented in this event was the product of a long-term program to develop key farmers who would be the local champions we refer to as ‘farmer entrepreneurs’ or farmerpreneurs. This is part of an on-going inclusive development initiative of MADADMA. We, at PBCI-CFP IncluDev Team, has been tasked to facilitate social preparation, community organization, and training in basic entrepreneurial skills.
Continue reading
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2022/09/obo-manobo-farmers-present-sample-product-at-the-philippine-coffee-expo-2022/
Indonesia 2022 gathering was my sixth year and my last event serving as chair of the Peace Commission of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC). I feel the joy of watching our team working together to see MWC embrace the Statement on Solidarity with the Indigenous People. For me, this is the most exciting part of the last 6 years serving with the Peace Commission. I have been blessed working with the women and men whom I learned to respect and love. I pray that MWC would continue to serve the Body of Christ; to serve the nations towards justice and peace; and, to serve as a healing body in the process of decolonization and reconciliation in this world.
Continue reading
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2022/07/2022-mwc-global-assembly-in-indonesia-a-personal-reflection/
“Ina” — our term of endearment for Joji Pantoja, CEO of Coffee For Peace, Inc. — and I were there when the local farmers and coffee industry stakeholders in the Province of Compostela Valley gathered to organize themselves to participate in the national coffee roadmap. They are now referred to as Compostela Valley Coffee Council.
Continue reading
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/06/ina-and-i-witnessed-the-organization-of-compostela-valley-coffee-council/
Augsburg, Germany, 13-16 February 2017. Joji Pantoja, our Chief Operations Officer at PeaceBuilders Community, participated at the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) executive and commissions meeting. She was there specifically to attend to her responsibilities as chairperson of the MWC Peace Commission. Joji was excited to report the following accomplishments of the MWC Peace Commission …
Continue reading
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2017/02/joji-represented-pbci-at-mwc-executive-and-commissions-meetings-in-germany/
21-23 October 2015. Joji Pantoja, CEO of Coffee For Peace (CFP), received 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 CFP. The N-Peace Awards Ceremony was held at One UN Hotel, New York, …
Continue reading
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2015/10/coffee-for-peace-receives-award-from-n-peace-network-and-undp/
The conflict is about 3,000 hectares of rich, arable land around Mount Kalayo in the Province of Bukidnon. The parties are the Central Mindanao University (CMU) and the Talaandig Tribe. CMU firmly takes the position that they legally own the land based on Torrens Title. The Talaandig Council of Elders insists they own the land …
Continue reading
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2014/05/cmu-and-the-talaandig-tribe-choose-the-path-of-conflict-transformation/
