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Cafes as delicate havens for productivity

Writer's picture: CJ MartinezCJ Martinez

Updated: Jun 14, 2023

by Cj Martinez and Ashley Esguerra


In a cold, bustling city like Baguio, with its overwhelming name as the education capital of the North, there emerged the fad of blending the aroma of freshly brewed coffee with the sound of flipping books and tapping keyboards.


The inviting scent of trendy coffee shops enticed an influx of people, willingly shelling out at least a hundred pesos for a cup of coffee.


On their defense however, they don’t just spend money for the sake of drinking coffee, but also to feel a surge of productivity as they study. From one shop to another, the students’ search for the perfect cafe to study continues to brew for that kick of productivity to actuate.


Where coffee first brewed


According to driftaway.coffee, coffee houses stemmed from the Middle East, specifically in Mecca in the early 1550s. The early writings of French traveler Jean Chardin reveal that early coffee houses were primarily hectic with all the preaching, political gatherings, news sharing, and gaming.

In the Philippines, the history of coffee shops is as vivid as its flavors. From having the sole coffee tree planted in Lipa, Batangas in 1740, to being listed among the few countries in the world that produce four varieties of commercially-viable coffee. There is no wonder why Filipinos are called heavy coffee drinkers.


A sip of productivity


Take Nixx Reyes, an avid cafe-goer, as an example. A student at the University of the Philippines Baguio, the 20-year-old loves having a budget-friendly cup of coffee by her side as she keeps herself busy in an ambient and cozy cafe. In times when her to-do list seems endless, Nixx immerses herself with strangers sitting across different tables who also crave the surge of caffeine in their system as they rack their brains for whatever reason.


“As a student, I prefer studying in cafes for their convenience and conduciveness to learning. With affordable prices of coffee, a stable internet connection, and the ambiance, studying at cafes heavily contributes to my productivity,” she mentioned. “Moreover, seeing other people working makes me more focused and urges me to work even further.”


A recent study conducted by Tufts University confirmed that caffeine consumption optimizes vigilance and mental alertness. It states that mental effort is indeed contagious, hence making people working in an environment with other busy people more productive.


“Sa dorm kasi minsan mabagal ang internet, minsan maingay din kaya hindi ka makapagfocus. Pero sa mga cafe parang may courtesy ang mga tao na tahimik sila so makakapagfocus ka talaga,” Jovelle Sarmiento, a second year college student, shared that she has been studying in cafes since high school back in her hometown, Olongapo City.


Balai Studio Cafe


Nestled in the heart of Baguio City, Balai Studio Cafe stands as a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Established in 2020 amidst the pandemic surge, this cozy establishment was primarily designed to cater to the needs of students attending online classes.


Julina Labenio, an all-around server at the cafe, revealed that beautifying the place and making it more aesthetically pleasing are just some of the few compromises they have made to quench their customers’ needs. Recognizing the growing competition among cafes, Balai strives to surpass expectations and provide an ideal environment for studying.


With affordability in mind, Balai offers a range of delightful beverages priced between P100 to P150, making it a more budget-friendly option compared to mainstream coffee shops.


Labenio confidently shared her observations, stating, "I've noticed that many students come here to meet up and complete their school requirements since not everyone can study effectively at home." To accommodate the students' needs, the cafe has implemented a two-hour time limit, allowing ample opportunity for all who wish to study.


Kapetirya Philippine Coffee


Situated at the bustling roadside of Upper Session Road is Kapetirya Philippine Coffee, another local cafe in the City of Pines that is flocked by students who are after productivity. With its facade facing the lines of vehicles that honk and pass by one another, Kapetirya highlights the ideal buzzing vibe sought by people who want to keep themselves busy.


Since 2020, Kapetirya has been operated by Barista and Coffee Academy of Asia, Inc. (BCAA), an international institute that offers “world class barista training, coffee education, and consultancy,” as per their website.


What makes Kapetirya a student magnet during the busiest of days is their ability to adapt to the demands of workaholic students who frequent cafes for a productivity boost.


“Before, we didn’t have WiFi. We offer it now because people need it to work. What’s more is that we do not set a time limit for those who stay here. Even if you only order once, you can stay the whole day,” mentioned Brenda Ekwey, a full-time barista at Kapetirya.


The roadside cafe also attracts customers effortlessly with its aesthetics, manifesting in the white painting that covers its whole interior, a veranda that looks onto the vehicles running by, shelves that are decorated with pots of cacti that complement their wooden material, and a chandelier that tops off the whole vibe with warm, yellow light. Such features are essential to students like Nixx who also source their productivity from the beauty of their study place.


Kapetirya also serves a wide array of coffee drinks, hot and cold, that have student-friendly prices, ranging from P90 to P150.


“We get our coffee beans directly from farmers, that’s why we sell our coffee for a relatively low price. Aside from that, we are also the suppliers of other cafes,” Brenda explained.


With such compromises, coffees will keep on brewing and the sound of flipping books and tapping keyboards will simultaneously fill the atmosphere of cafes, satisfying students’ idea of a perfect coffee place.


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