Good and Green
The Good and Green Podcast, hosted by sustainability advocate Chit Juan, was created for the purpose of helping social entrepreneurs overcome challenges and grow impactful ventures that drive meaningful change. Each week, we share the tools, strategies, and stories that empower changemakers to build businesses with purpose. Whether you're launching your dream social enterprise or looking for fresh inspiration, this podcast is your go-to space for practical insights and uplifting conversations. Let's create a brighter, more sustainable future together!
Good and Green
Episode 35: From OFW Life To Legacy Builder In The World Of Coffee with Imelda Dagus
In celebration of National Coffee Month, this October series of Good and Green episodes features inspiring stories from Filipino coffee advocates and entrepreneurs. In this episode, Chit Juan sits down with Imelda Dagus, founder and CEO of Dennis Coffee Garden, the first heritage coffeehouse brand rooted in the Kahawa Sug tradition of the Sulu Archipelago. Imelda shares how she transformed her family’s 1962 coffee legacy into a thriving business that uplifts farmers, preserves Tausug culture, and empowers communities. From her years as an OFW to becoming a cultural entrepreneur, Imelda reflects on legacy, sustainability, and the power of coming home to build something meaningful.
GUEST BIO:
Imelda A. Dagus is the Founder and CEO of Dennis Coffee Garden, a heritage coffeehouse from the Sulu Archipelago that celebrates Kahawa Sug. She also serves as President of Suluk Holdings, Inc., and has expanded her brand through multiple branches, bottled coffee products, and a roastery and nursery to support local farmers. A recognized advocate for heritage-based enterprise, she has received national and regional awards for entrepreneurship and cultural preservation and is currently pursuing a Master in Entrepreneurship at the Asian Institute of Management.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
- How a 1962 family café inspired a modern heritage coffee brand.
- Preserving Tausug culture through Kahawa Sug coffee and traditional pastries.
- From OFW life abroad to building a legacy-driven enterprise at home.
- Empowering farmers and youth through sustainable, inclusive business practices.
- Faith, heritage, and leadership as anchors for lasting community impact.
QUOTES:
- It was more than just opening a cafe for me. It was about continuing my grandmother's legacy. — Imelda Dagus
- Drinking coffee is a way of life for us. — Imelda Dagus
- You can't stop a good thing. — Chit Juan
- I see Dennis Coffee Garden as a platform to earn money, preserve culture, empower out of school youth, and help the farmers. — Imelda Dagus
- My mantra is: if I can do something to help not just my family, but the whole community, why not? — Imelda Dagus
LINKS or RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Connect with Imelda Dagus on:
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Register for the 1st Philippine Coffee Sustainability Congress at bit.ly/phcoffeecongress. For more information, visit the Philippine Coffee Board website at www.philcoffeeboard.com or email phcoffeecongress@gmail.com.
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.
