A Relaxing Time in Ness’ Cafe

It was a long time ago when I planned going to Ness’ Cafe, but my plans were pushed due to unforeseen circumstances. Now that I have started to get back to coffee-shop hunting again, I vowed to put Ness’ Cafe to my priority list.

How to Go to Ness’ Cafe

Ride a jeep going to Antipolo-Tanay (not Antipolo Simbahan). Open Google Maps since some jeepneys take alternative routes. For example, Ness’ Cafe told me to go down at Jollibee Tanay, but the jeep turned to a road nearer to the cafe to avoid traffic. Anyway, tricycles were available. I think it would be safe to go down at the terminal itself.

When you ride a tricycle, open Google Maps. The driver could help you get to Ness’ Cafe. The coffee shop was easy to find anyway since it was at the side of the road.

What to Expect in Ness’ Cafe

Ness’ Cafe is a minimalist nook cafe with a relaxing vibe. It’s more of a casual cafe than a coffice. If you’re catching up with friends in Tanay, I would recommend here. In fact, during my stay there, there were teachers discussing about schoolwork, teens creating Tiktok videos and exchanging books, and friends having a conversation.

I was shy to take my picture because of the number of visitors, but one of the baristas was kind enough to do me a favor. Thank you!

What to Eat in Ness’ Cafe

I ordered carbonara (PhP 110), chocolate cookie (PhP 45), and their caramel macchiato (PhP 110). Their carbonara tasted sweet. Pasta dishes were often briny, so this was one for the books.

Learn more about my filterless experience in Ness’ Cafe through my post in Kape Tayo, Rizal.

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Ness' Cafe
1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Nesdy Compound Sampaloc Road, Tanay, Rizal
https://www.facebook.com/ness.cafeph

Your Friendly Neighborhood Coffee Shop: Kalinaw Coffee Co.

After a two-month long hiatus, finally, I was able to visit another cafe and revive my coffee-hunting page. My last entry was June 19, and I was only able to go out on September 15. My acne had worsen again, so I had to prioritize my skin health over this passion. Derma consultations aren’t cheap, so I had to make wise choices and put my passion project on a hiatus for a while.

Besides this, whenever I go to coffee shops (usually on a Thursday or a Friday), I would spend ten hours every day to work to make sure I still fulfill my 40 hours in a week. I realized, however, that I would still spend a significant amount of time working during my cafe day even when I already allotted that day for leisure. I still continued, but it got to a point that it drained me. I knew I had to step back. I didn’t want to go out for coffee just for content; this was supposed to be a hobby, not a requirement.

When things got a little better, I decided to visit a cafe near me to save on transportation, which was how I found Kalinaw Coffee Co.

How to Go to Kalinaw Coffee Co.

Ride a jeep going to Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall or Tropical and tell the driver to drop you off at Vista Verde. From the gate of Vista Verde, Kalinaw Coffee Co. is only a three- to five-minute walk.

What to Expect in Kalinaw Coffee Co.

Kalinaw Coffee Co. is a coffice, meaning there were sockets and available Wi-Fi network for its patrons. No wonder there were so many people at four o’clock of a Thursday. Both the first and the second floors were fully occupied. Good thing I was able to secure a seat.

Surprisingly, they also serve wine! It was a perfect cafe for the titos and titas of Manila who love drinking wine and coffee. Kalinaw merchandise was also available.

What to Eat in Kalinaw Coffee Co.

As I haven’t had my lunch that time, I had to order a meal. One of their best-sellers is their hungarian rice meal, which was worth PhP 140, and then I accompanied my rice meal with their iced caramel macchiato for PhP 140.

Hunger (and coffee craving) satisfied.

Learn more about my filterless experience in Kalinaw Coffee Co. through my post in Kape Tayo, Rizal.

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Kalinaw Coffee Co.
Monday, Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Vista Verde, Cainta, Rizal
https://www.facebook.com/kalinaw.coffee.cainta

Good Days, Bad Days

Trigger warning: Dysphoria, mental health issues. Please read at your own discretion.

It’s the time of the year wherein I question my abilities and doubt my sanity. And then poof. I self-destruct.

By self-destruction, I don’t mean I drag along others with me and inflict emotional pain on them until these people hate me. Hindi naman. Self-destruction as in . . . ako lang.

By self-destruction, I mean hating my body, hating how I look like . . . yet still staring at my reflection, crying over the fact that the person in front of me had never been enough . . . and then eating and self-sabotaging my own health goals.

By self-destruction, I mean doubting my capabilities, letting the demons inside me win. “Uy, nagsusulat ka pa pala? Mukhang hindi. You lack effort. Dalian mo. Anong ‘write for yourself’? Only foolish people say that.”

By self-destruction, I mean giving away my earnings so someone could pay their own credit and then wondering why I couldn’t save for my future. “Mababawi rin. Mababayaran din.”

On good days, I am eager to live longer. On bad days, I curse at my reflection.

On good days, I stay “foolish” and write at my own pace. On bad days, I blame myself for not writing enough.

On good days, I tell myself I can earn what I lost again. On bad days, I fear for my future without a penny saved.

I know that this will pass. It’s just, you know, a quarterly occurence. But these voices inside me telling me that I will never get to the point I’ve always dreamed of because of my pace are getting louder. Pero sino ba namang magsasabi ng “This is just one of your bad days” nang hindi ako nasasaktan kundi ako lang?