Metro Cebu has been filled with caffeine stops to the brim as of late. Nearly each block is brewing something – some are well-lit, air conditioned shops, others are little kiosks with al frescos. A simple search for “coffee shops in Cebu” is enough to turn us into customers.
But beyond each of our daily quick fixes, we seek places that bring a novel feel to the city air. Community is often built in these types of pockets – one that recognizes our presence more than our purchases.
More than half a year from today, Café Baklita graced Cebuanos with a space for one’s queerness without it being in a way that depletes it – cringe.
Taking a step beyond its initial goal of simply making the space pretty, Café Baklita has also become a place that embraces inclusivity.
“We wanted a space that makes people affirm themselves,” founder Ciege Cagalawan shared.
Before it became a coffee shop in Banawa, it began with a passion for baking, a playful hashtag inspired by the American cooking show Barefoot Contessa, and a handful of free time brought about by the pandemic.
Ciege began an online project, Barefoot Baklita, with vegan pastries and kombucha filling the menu. The business took off with the help of a close-knit support circle and the internet’s growing curiosity to try new things during lockdown.
By 2023, Ciege started exploring the art of coffee through Coffee 101 after taking an interest in the craft. This eventually birthed Café Baklita, a broader umbrella that now houses the entire brand.
Baklita Bestsellers
Rooted in the value of inclusivity, the vegan-friendly menu reflects what the brand stands for. The brand’s first home-grown pastry, Walnut Tablea Squash Brownies, remains its bestseller.
As the founder puts it, “We wanted to grow awareness for the possibilities of vegan food.”
Their innovative take on familiar coffee staples is also worth exploring: think Tablea Mocha or the Asin Tibuok Caramel Latte. What could ever go wrong?
And if you’re looking for something floral and refreshing this summer, the Rose and Cardamom Kombucha is well worth the penny.
Sustainability, Without the Side-Eye
One thing Café Baklita is proud of is its initiative to be sustainable. This is led by their vegan-friendly menu with locally sourced ingredients. They persist in embracing the beauty of vegan food and making it accessible for everyone’s planetary needs.
This practice is also manifested in the little details that add to the charm of the cafe. Instead of single-use plastic cups, which is a major problem that comes with the number of coffee shops in the metro today, they opted for artsy bottles and mugs. (They’re not only pretty, they’re also sustainable!)
However, Ciege iterates that these efforts are meant to help the community see sustainability in a different light. They’re careful not to succumb to toxic cultural dialogue or come off as preachy.
True to their value of inclusivity, not a single corner in the cafe carries a judging light. No one’s pushing these alternatives down anyone’s throat because they simply exist for everyone to try.
Baklita and Friends
Once you occupy a table in the cafe, you’ll notice remnants of Cebuano craftsmanship in the brands they carry: Crochet First Cebu (@crochetfirst.ceb) for the table coasters, El Pabilo (@elpabilo.ph) for the scented candles, and more.
“We just want a tiny corner where we could all just flourish,” Ciege expressed.
The community Café Baklita has built isn’t made up of customers alone, they also thrive through collaborations with queer and women creatives, as well as small business owners.
You can visit Café Baklita from Mondays to Fridays, 10:30 AM to 8 PM, and on Saturdays from 3 PM to 8 PM. Find them at 3884 R. Duterte St., Banawa, Cebu City.
Photography John Justimbaste
