Manila City opens Kapetolyo on International Coffee Day


In line with International Coffee Day, the city government of Manila held the soft opening of Kapetolyo, its new coffee shop at the Andres Bonifacio Monument Park in Ermita, Manila on Thursday.

(Photo from Isko Moreno Domagoso Facebook page/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The two-story coffee shop is fully airconditioned and will feature local coffee and delicacies.

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, who led the opening, said the project will be a way to promote local coffee.

"Initially, lalo na yung mga bata, initially, ang alam lang nila ay ang kape nasa (Initially, especially the young, all they know is that there is coffee in) Batangas, but this is also one way of educating or sharing the knowledge to the next generation that there are good coffees in Batangas, in Benguet, and all other places in the country," Domagoso said.

(Photo from Isko Moreno Domagoso Facebook page/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Kapetolyo's glass walls also showcase the redeveloped Andres Bonifacio Monument Park, with its thriving greenery, capiz lights hanging on the trees, and musical dancing fountain in front of the monument.

Domagoso recalled how the park used to be a "symbol of filth, chaos, and corruption" and "the biggest bathroom" in Manila. He ordered the regular cleaning and flushing operations at the park in his first few days at office.

"How can we govern or go further if we in our own backyard cannot put things in the right perspective?" he said in his speech.

Ayala Land, Inc. President Bobby Dy, who was also present in the event, praised the Manila city government for the project.

"You have transformed this area for the next generation of Manileños. It is a place to be proud of with facilities that make it pleasant and safe for people to visit and appreciate history," he said in his speech.

"As we continue to work together, we hope to be able to create, not only economic opportunities for Manileños, but also socially relevant projects that celebrate our common aspirations as a people," he added.

Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Senator Ralph Recto, and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesman James Jimenez (who is also the immediate past president of Rotary Club of South Manila), along with other city government and Ayala Group of Companies officials, also attended the soft launch.

A newly-constructed public restroom behind Kapetolyo was also inaugurated. It has multiple cubicles for visitors of the city.

Dy said the project is a good opportunity to serve the community.

"With everyone concerned about health, we hope that this modern facility will promote cleanliness and sanitation and serve the community well," he said.