WITH lots of chill spots popping left and right, there’s no wonder people get confused which ones to try. Milk tea stalls, ice cream parlors, steak houses and even food parks open regularly. With Cebu burgeoning into a more modern city, the need to satiate the palate evolves with it.
Ricardo Guinto, 19, never thought that he would eventually start his own coffee house. In 2018, he was offered an internship to learn latte art. He slowly developed an interest in coffee and in mid-2019, he opened 5G Coffee House. He originally wanted to open a coffee house in Cebu IT Park but thought that other coffee shops there were already numerous and established. So instead, he and his dad transformed their garage into a coffee shop.
Being previously part of their house, the coffee shop gives off a home-like vibe where people can sit and sip their specialty coffee as if they were at home. He says he wants the aesthetic to reflect a “culture in community that is centered around coffee. Through coffee, connections are made.”
Ricardo runs the shop on his own. He says that it’s challenging but the intimacy of personally serving his patrons, all the while making a connection with them is something that other shops probably can’t offer. And the shop stays true to their brand with the bar, stools and a few other furniture being hand-made by Ricardo and his dad. The drinks, however, complement the experience.
5G Coffee House offers specialty coffee delicately embellished with latte art that Ricardo learned over the years and a few non-caffeinated drinks like strawberry milk and hot chocolate. Its drinks are best paired with the classic cheesecake and apple pies, which Ricardo proudly says his dad bakes himself. 5G Coffee House isn’t the first nor the only coffee shop with a cozy vibe, but an intimate coffee experience is almost always guaranteed.
For those looking for a place to escape the city rush while still being in the heart of the city, 5G Coffee House in Apas, Lahug opens from 5 to 11 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, with earlier hours on Sunday. (Mark Kevin G. Cordero)