Commune Cafe

“What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.”

While in Manila, I would say the cafe that stayed the most with me was this friendly spot. We got caught in a rainstorm while visiting, and ended up chatting with the owner for over an hour. It was extremely cozy with the rain tapping on their famous front window, as we sipped coffee and talked about local farming advocacy and how cafes have the unique power to be the heart of communities. @communeph is a jewel among cafes. Besides making great coffee art (see the 3D panda latte) and having an aloof in house cat, Commune Cafe does their part to support local farmers and uses only Philippine coffee beans. Their long communal table is where they encourage collaborations and use their space to create that little, powerful something called community.

The owner’s name is Inigo. He is most friendly and took time out of his evening to sit with me and my friend and tell us about the cafe industry in Manila. I notice that cafes are different in the Philippines due mainly to the people running them; they are less business and more customer oriented. I always feel welcome to stay and chat. But Commune Cafe in particular makes you feel at home. One of the baristas ran around the cafe with me helping clear the room as I took photos and even took a few of me without asking; this was most helpful and I smile looking back at the pictures knowing he was hiding just out of frame, watching and waiting to be of service.

So what was that magical formula Commune Cafe found? The additions of good coffee, a creative space, and friendly people can transform the loneliest of us into kind neighbors. Indeed, there are many things we can be doing with our time and money, but as Kurt Vonnegut said so boldly, of everything, “the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.” Follow in the footsteps of Commune Cafe and come for a bit of healing 🙂

If you visit Manila, be sure to drop by Commune Cafe and try their home roasted Philippines raised coffee beans! Take a photo and tag me on instagram @sincerelybeckyw