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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Muntinlupa PWD hopes humiliating 'speech' experience at Starbucks will not happen to anyone

Muntinlupa PWD hopes humiliating 'speech' experience at Starbucks will not happen to anyone

Published Aug 13, 2025 02:47 pm

A person with disability (PWD) in Muntinlupa who felt humiliated when a Starbucks barista in Alabang wrote “speech” as his name on his cup, said he hopes the experience will not happen to anyone. 

Daniel Cruz and his wife, Marivic, went to the Starbucks Festival Mall branch last July 21 for coffee. 

Daniel and Marivic are PWDs. Daniel, born with a cleft palate, was classified with speech and language impairment, while Marivic has psychosocial disability based on their IDs issued by the Muntinlupa City government. 

When Daniel went to the Starbucks counter and ordered, the barista wrote “speech” as their names on their cups instead of his real name. 

PWD couple Daniel and Marivic Cruz (Photo from Marivic Cruz's Facebook account)
PWD couple Daniel and Marivic Cruz (Photo from Marivic Cruz's Facebook account)
The Starbucks cups with
The Starbucks cups with "speech" written as the names of PWD couple Daniel and Marivic Cruz (Photo from Marivic Cruz's Facebook account)

“When he came back to our table, nag iba yung aura nya. Then he showed me the name written on his cup. Really, Starbucks!? This is so disappointing. And then you even called out my husband based on the name written on the cup? This is truly disappointing,” Marivic posted on Facebook last month after the incident. 

She added, “The manager spoke with us and apologized. They acknowledged their mistake. But still, part of us — especially my husband — was humiliated by what happened. He rarely approaches people, and now it seems like he’s starting to feel traumatized even just by ordering at other restaurants. Knowing that I also have a social disability, this is just too much.”

The incident was condemned by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) while the Muntinlupa City Council conducted a public hearing about the incident. 

In a Facebook post on Aug. 12, Daniel Cruz tagged Starbucks Philippines and wrote, “I hope this post finds you well.”

Here is the rest of his post: 

“Remember what happened on 21st of July 2025? Yeah, I hope you do. Cause I do still remember exactly what happened, all the things that struck my mind as I was holding the cups while walking towards my wife; the bad memories, humiliations, all of it. Even the anger I tried so hard to control, to the point where my wife noticed me feeling uneasy and tears nearly falling. It took me a lot of overthinking and courage to write and post this. So with that being said, Here is my 'Speech' for you.

“I remember coming home physically and emotionally drained from what we experienced in one of your many branches, and sleep with a heavy heart. But the next few days were the most excruciating part as I wasn't able to sleep as much as I could due to depression and anxiety. Also, I was reluctant to go outside in fear that people would notice us and call me by that name. My wife, as well, wasn't able to sleep as well due to her emotions and the post going viral. ““Reading hate comments on my wife and I also deeply affected our minds and emotions. This affected both of our work due to absences. Despite all of these, we still have to push ourselves to go to work. So please tell us, Would the word "sorry" be enough?

“After what happened that night, I've always been asking myself, how the hell did a single word have so much impact on my life? Yet somehow, it still has, even until today. I've done so much in my lifetime to gain the confidence I have, yet your so-called "honest mistake" took so much of it. Now I am obliged to drink the medicine prescribed by our Psychiatrist. Now, would that complementary pastry you kept on insisting be enough for the damages that have been done?

“To my family, friends and band mates... Thank you so much. We can't control what other people may think, say, or comment, But we have felt your sincere support in giving your opinions and statements on this issue. Most of you guys even stood for us in the comment section. My wife and I were thankful.

“Also, Thank you, The KoolPals, For engaging this subject in a light and comedic way, and somehow eye opening and relatable (specially thanks to sir Roger). Even for one night, my wife and I felt like we belonged in your group. Grabe, that night was the only night I felt free to say all the curses I wanted because of the issue. Again, because of the issue, not the persons involved. This will be one of the most unforgettable moments for us as we go back to reality...

“So to end my 'speech', I hope this will never happen again to anyone, especially PWDs.” 

He closed the letter with “Regards, Daniel, not 'Speech.’”

Related stories: 

Muntinlupa City Council probes Starbucks incident involving PWD couple

PWD couple accuses Starbucks Alabang of discrimination; barista writes 'speech' on their cups

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