What if building a successful business could also mean restoring forests, empowering communities, and making a positive impact on the environment?

Pacita Juan sits down with social entrepreneur and sustainability advocate Rafael “Raf” Dionisio, founder of MAD Travel, now transitioning to MAD Earth. Raf shares how his early ambition to make money evolved into a bigger mission of using business as a force for good. From his work with Aeta communities in Zambales to planting nearly 150,000 trees, he discusses how sustainable tourism can create meaningful experiences while supporting environmental restoration and local livelihoods. He also shares lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of working with indigenous communities, and why protecting the environment and building a sustainable economy should go hand in hand.

GUEST BIO:

Rafael “Raf” Sison Dionisio is a multi-awarded social entrepreneur and four-time TEDx speaker dedicated to building a regenerative economy in the Philippines. Through MAD Travel and AVD Green Builds, he works with indigenous communities, farmers, and fisherfolk on ecosystem restoration, sustainable tourism, agroforestry, and low-carbon construction. His MAD team has planted over 129,000 trees and collected more than 12 tons of plastic waste. His recognitions include The Outstanding Young Men Award (TOYM 2025), the DENR Green Legacy Award, and the DOT Sustainable Tour Operator Award. Raf envisions a future where businesses help restore nature while creating sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities for local communities.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• Raf's journey from entrepreneurship to environmental advocacy
• How MAD Travel combines tourism and social impact
• Restoring forests with Aeta communities in Zambales
• Why indigenous knowledge matters in ecosystem restoration
• Creating sustainable livelihoods through agroforestry and farming
• How businesses can support meaningful environmental initiatives
• The connection between sustainability and green construction
• Simple ways to conserve water and reduce waste

QUOTES:

• Business has this power to do a lot of good. —Rafael Dionisio
• MAD stands for Make a Difference. —Rafael Dionisio
• The elders of the community are the ultimate foresters. —Rafael Dionisio
• Find ways to help the communities build an economy that doesn't mean they need to destroy the environment. —Rafael Dionisio
• Travel is the means, but Earth is the why. —Rafael Dionisio

LINKS or RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Raf Dionisio on Instagram
• Raf Dionisio on Facebook
• MAD Travel / MAD Earth on Instagram
• MAD Travel / MAD Earth on Facebook

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Purchase Brew: Cafe, Coffee. Kape at Echostore.ph.

For more information about Brew: Cafe, Coffee, Kape, visit the Food Writers Association of the Philippine Facebook Group.

What does it take to build a successful business while helping an entire industry grow? As we continue our Coffee Month celebration, we're recognizing individuals whose passion and dedication have helped shape the Philippine coffee industry. In this episode of Good and Green, Pacita Juan sits down with coffee entrepreneur and educator Cherry Cruz to talk about her unexpected journey from seafood trading to building a thriving coffee business. Cherry shares how her passion for learning led her from distributing international brands to roasting and promoting Philippine coffee, supporting local farmers, and educating the next generation of coffee professionals. She also reflects on the importance of grit, purpose, and building meaningful relationships, and why she believes the future of Philippine coffee holds exciting opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs alike.

GUEST BIO:

Cherry Cruz is the founder and CEO of Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation and the Barista and Coffee Academy of Asia. With nearly three decades of experience, she has helped develop the Philippine coffee industry through distribution, education, and quality improvement. She is a Q Processing Professional, SCA Q Arabica and Robusta Instructor, international coffee competition judge, and recipient of the Coffee Quality Institute's 2025 Educator of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• Cherry's unexpected journey into the coffee industry
• From international coffee brands to local sourcing
• Promoting Philippine coffee through quality and education
• Supporting coffee farmers and growing communities
• The importance of grit and purpose in entrepreneurship
• Building trust and lasting business relationships
• Opportunities and challenges for Philippine coffee farming
• Sustainable practices and the future of local coffee

QUOTES:

• Love our own. Love your own origin. —Cherry Cruz
• Everything starts with something you like. —Cherry Cruz
• Have grit and a sense of purpose because sometimes it's going to be very difficult. —Cherry Cruz
• You need to be able to do even those things that you don't like to do. —Cherry Cruz
• Be mindful of all the signs being sent your way and grab the opportunity once it's there. —Cherry Cruz
• Sometimes you have to close your eyes and just do it. —Cherry Cruz

LINKS or RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation
• Barista and Coffee Academy of Asia

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

• Subscribe to the Good and Green Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• Follow Chit Juan on Instagram and Facebook, and LinkedIn
• Subscribe to EchoNews on LinkedIn.

Purchase Brew: Cafe, Coffee. Kape at Echostore.ph.

For more information about Brew: Cafe, Coffee, Kape, visit the Food Writers Association of the Philippine Facebook Group.

October is Coffee Month, and we're celebrating individuals whose passion and dedication have helped shape the Philippine coffee industry!

In this episode of Good and Green, Pacita Juan sits down with coffee industry veteran Emmanuel “Manny” Torrejon to look back on his remarkable journey spanning more than four decades in coffee. From the Philippines' thriving coffee export years to the rise of specialty roasting, Manny shares his experiences, lessons learned, and enduring fascination with the coffee bean. He also discusses why the future of Philippine coffee lies in returning to the farms, exploring new varieties, and inspiring the next generation of coffee professionals. It's a conversation about lifelong passion, continuous learning, and giving back to an industry that has been such a big part of his life.

GUEST BIO:

Emmanuel “Manny” Torrejon is a coffee industry veteran whose career began in 1979 as a coffee trader. He founded CAFEX, Inc., an artisan coffee roasting company, in 1996 and later became President of Coffee Roastmasters Alliance, now UCC Ueshima Coffee Philippines, where he serves as Business Development Director. He is also a Director of the Philippine Coffee Board and ASEAN Coffee Federation, as well as a chef and restaurateur behind Manolo's Private Dining.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• Manny's journey from coffee trading to roasting
• The rise and decline of Philippine coffee exports
• Understanding global coffee trading and market fluctuations
• How CAFEX helped shape his roasting career
• Why Philippine coffee needs more farmers
• Exploring new coffee varieties and growing regions
• The importance of mentorship and hands-on experience
• Staying curious, passionate, and humble in coffee

QUOTES:

• We were one of the bigger exporters in the '80s and early '90s. —Emmanuel Torrejon
• The green coffee business is very, very stressful because you have to watch your price every day. —Emmanuel Torrejon
• I've always loved the soil. —Emmanuel Torrejon
• I'm fascinated with how things grow, how they can fruit, and what makes them tick. —Emmanuel Torrejon
• I think the future of coffee, especially in the Philippines, is in farming. —Emmanuel Torrejon
• Every time I see green coffee, beautiful green coffee, I just really, really love it. I just love the bean. —Emmanuel Torrejon
• I never stop learning about coffee. There's always something in coffee that you will learn every day. —Emmanuel Torrejon

LINKS or RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Emmanuel Torrejon on Instagram
• Manolo’s Private Dining
• UCC Ueshima Coffee Philippines

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

• Subscribe to the Good and Green Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• Follow Chit Juan on Instagram and Facebook, and LinkedIn
• Subscribe to EchoNews on LinkedIn.

Purchase Brew: Cafe, Coffee. Kape at Echostore.ph.

For more information about Brew: Cafe, Coffee, Kape, visit the Food Writers Association of the Philippine Facebook Group.