Trainees watch as Barista trainer shows how to make coffee. Barista training for Filipino expatsBy Chris Lavina RIYADH — A barista training class was recently organized by Data-Phil, a group of Filipino professionals in Jeddah who offer a variety of courses for Filipino expats including courses for computer repair, Microsoft programs, AutoCAD and many others. “Barista is an Italian word which means a person who prepares and serves coffee,” said Richard Sangalang, the barista trainer. Sangalang added that making the perfect cup of coffee which we love to slurp at coffee shops, requires additional skills for effective frothing and pouring. “I want to be a barista so that when I go home for good, I can open my own coffee shop. I think this is going to be a good business,” said 48-year old Joseph Enaje, an auto painter who attended the training course 28-year old Allen Brian Amarille,who works in a coffee shop, attended the course because he wanted to learn how to use the cappuccino machine to impress his customers. “I'd like to see my customers watch me operate this snorting cappuccino machine,” he said. “Learning this skill will also give me an edge over my co-employees.” Trainer Nelson Tobias amazed and impressed the attendees by showing them different designs of tulip leaves, a swan and a dragon, which he made with expertise in coffee. He poured the milk in a cup at a consistent rate and shook the pitcher, gradually but steadily raising it to create latte art. Tobias, who is a certified caregiver, went to Manila to pursue his career in caregiving, but ended up being a coffeemaker. “I had no idea of what latte art was,” said Tobias. “I only learnt it on YouTube.” Many Filipinos try their luck by starting their own businesses in Philippines, only to close down after a short period of time. “We've heard a lot of sad stories about some Filipinos who went home for good but came back a few years later,” said Jimmy Lasaca, President of Data-Phil. “Lack of knowledge and preparation are the two main reasons for the tragic end of their businesses. That's why Data
