Unlike others who started as early as high school, my love story with coffee didn't begin until I graduated in college and began working. Coffee shops weren't my thing back then as I was busy preparing for my career. But when I started working, coffee became an important part of the day. I'm glad my love for coffee was just as great as what I needed it to be--not too much to the point of addiction. Moderation is indeed the key.😊
Back then, there were no coffee shops in my hometown too. So, if I really wanted some brewed coffee or other coffee-based beverages, I had to go to the city for that coffee experience.
Post-pandemic, several coffee shops sprouted in my hometown. When I started going back to work, I found myself wanting to try out the coffee and non-coffee drinks from the local shops here.
For today's blog dear Hive friends, I'm going to share to you one of the local coffee shops here in my hometown that has warmed up to me for some time. This blog is also my entry for week 43 of The Coffee Shop Prompt of the 
Welcome to 5 AM Café! ☕️
This coffee shop started here in Dalaguete, Cebu when people began enjoying life after the several lockdowns due to the pandemic. They didn't have an actual coffee shop at first and sold warm coffee and cold brew bottles on a motorcycle. They sold coffee at the Dalaguete plaza on early mornings to people who were having their daily exercise around the area. I saw my friends posting some of their encounters with this "coffee on wheels" store and found out it was sold by my high school classmate's sibling. From then on, they accepted online orders. And finally, they opened, their physical store March last year near the Dalaguete port area beside a local resto bar called Bar.Ko. They serve coffee and non-coffee beverages, tea, cakes, and pastries.
I started ordering a coffee-based drink from their menu via their Facebook page. There were still no in-classroom classes during that time and I was very busy with paperwork at school. I wanted to keep myself awake while checking students' answer sheets.
I was actually surprised to find out that the café was mainly owned by high school sweethearts turned husband and wife, Yvonne and Kirk. They were my classmates back then. The latter personally delivered my order as the couple worked hands on with their business.
I kept ordering coffee and non-coffee based drinks from time to time along with my colleagues and when I finally had the chance, I was finally able to visit their café. This was followed by several visits.
What kept me coming back aside from their delicious drinks is their warm service. Every visit to the café, their staff has always been welcoming. They always make sure to quickly serve the customers. They are polite and quick to respond when I ask questions.
When I order online, they quickly reply and they always send a photo of the receipt. In the numerous times that I have ordered online, they always make sure to cater to my needs especially when I request to deliver at a specific area in my workplace. They follow instructions well and deliver their drinks with sweet smiles.
Once, I chanced to visit the café with my mother and my son. I met the owners, my former classmates, who were there that day. They are still the warm and kind people I've known though I've never always conversed with them for so many years.
It's just amazing how this local café has also warmed my heart. I believe that this was one of the major things that kept their business going--their warm hearts exuding warm service. I keep coming back for online orders and I still want to visit the café even after being there for many times. I think it's about the comfort that one feels when having a coffee break at the café or when getting that easy and quick service when ordering online.
I guess whenever your heart feels most comfortable and warm, it's when you always look forward to your next order or your next visit.
So, whatever time of the day and whatever weather, I will surely keep coming back to 5 AM Café. 💜
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. If you are in Cebu, Philippines and will be travelling to the southern part, please come to Dalaguete. I hope you can also visit this cozy shop and be warmed up by the good coffee and the warm and friendly service offered by 5 AM Café. If you want to know more about this coffee shop, check out their Facebook page here.😊
Note: All photos are personally taken using my cellphone. I used Paint 3D to crop some of the photos. I also used Canva in making the collage.