Baking Connections, Brewing Acceptance: Exploring the Delights of Culdesac and Agripina's

For a millenia, cafes and bakeries have been a place where people from all walks of life would come together to load up on great food and satisfying drinks. The main reason for why they go to these places is more importantly to find solace in a safe haven that allows them to freely be themselves and enjoy the establishment for what it offers.

This becomes even more apparent for individuals part of the LGBTQIA+ community that have been on the constant search for a space that doesn’t question them for who they are, but instead welcomes them with open arms and an assortment of menu items to choose from.

Embracing Diversity and Flavor

Among these cafes is Culdesac Coffee. A safe haven for the community nestled in the quiet and breezy Antipolo village of Gloria Heights. The cafe stands tall boasting a large “progress” pride flag situated front and center, which serves as a welcome sign to everyone that pays a visit.

Photo care of Culdesac Coffees

“In the very beginning, we always wanted to create a safe space for our community, and felt that once we've determined that, everything else followed. Growing up without queer-forward safe spaces that we could go to was exhausting, frustrating, and just sad. We didn't even think we needed it until we saw other safe spaces outside of the country. We're very happy that a lot of queer spaces have started sprouting all over the metro, but we also wanted one of our own in Antipolo.” Trisha, Co-owner of Culdesac Coffee, expressed.

Power couple Cess and Trisha never really dreamed of creating a cafe from the ground up, but when the boredom and isolation of the pandemic started creeping up on them they decided it was time to get those creative juices flowing.

"In the middle of the pandemic, we had a crazy idea to put up a cafe. After tons of studying, R&Ds, and spreadsheets, we finally jumped the gun and launched Cul de sac coffee.” Explained Trisha.

This crazy idea led them to creating a haven that has served as a safe space for the community for over 3 years! Customers have come and gone and have even associated Culdesac Coffee with many happy memories. Owner, Trisha recalls a recent heartwarming experience with one of their couple customers.

"A few months back, we received a message from a customer that she and her girlfriend had their first date in the cafe, and they'll be celebrating their first anniversary soon. That melted our hearts, because growing up queer, we didn't have places we could go to to feel safe enough to be with our partners freely. It felt great having a customer message us to candidly share about her relationship, and those kinds of things are what we consider milestones for the cafe, too.”

The journey towards their successful cafe was time consuming and hard, but the thought of the industry being hetero-dominated never came across their minds and never really became a problem for them during the development stages.

“We never thought about the fact that the industry was hetero-dominated. Maybe that's because all industries are anyway. We were too busy entering an industry wherein we were both new to, so we had to really lean in and utilize whatever skills we already have and put energy into learning new things.”

Culdesac Coffee has been an established cafe for over 3 years, but they are still constantly trying to keep up with the ever changing demand for new products from customers. Cess and Trisha are constantly finding ways to expand their product line while also finding time for themselves.

"Us, too, are customers. We go to several coffee shops weekly not only to do research, but to unwind. That way, we're able to observe trends and assess if they fit our cafe. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Every time we go outside of the country, we have a laundry list of coffee shops to visit so we can do the same - enjoy, drink different coffees, and research.

Culdesac coffee also started out with only nine cold brew-based drinks on the menu. After a few months, we decided to add non-coffee drinks as well as hot drinks in order to cater to more people.

After over a year, we added espresso-based drinks to the menu. That meant investing in so much equipment that was not cheap and learning a new way of brewing, and educating ourselves on specialty coffee. What was once a very complicated and intimidating process that we thought we could never do has become an everyday thing that we enjoy.”

Among their well loved and best sellers in their current menu is their Spiced Spanish Latte, which they chose to add to their menu mostly because it's become a very common drink that almost all cafes serve. And it's always the safe way to go.

Next would be their Prism approved, Culdesac Signature! Most people love it because it's a perfect mix of strong, sweet, and creamy coffee. It's made with their signature milk syrup too! And lastly catering to the non-coffee drinkers is their, Dirty Horchata! “Horchata has been an ongoing trend for a while now, and we were very happy to be able to catch on. The horchata paired with our espresso is chef's kiss!” excitedly expressed, Trisha. Our Prism editors love their Kbuns too!

As a well loved cafe one would wonder what their edge would be compared to other existing queer cafes out there? Culdesac coffee has always centered themselves as a neighboorhood queer cafe and this is what gives them their edge.

“Our cafe is homey, quiet, and tucked away in our village. New customers often find it hard to look for the cafe, but would always compliment how comfortable and cozy our place is. While other cafes are located in the busy metro, we think Culdesac coffee is also a reflection of what kind of gay we are - chill, quiet, and... just vibing.”

With all this inclusivity and sense of community their customers rave about, Cess and Trisha feel that their cafe “normalizes queerness” which plays a big part in our fight for the SOGIE bill and equality for the community in our country.

“We have rainbow flags all over the cafe, small artworks that we got from Komiket Pride, and even our restroom sign is candidly gender-neutral (it reads: "whatever, just wash your hands" with icons of a man, woman, child, a dinosaur, a mermaid, and an alien).

We believe that just existing and not being ashamed of it is loud enough. We're a queer cafe built by queer people for queer people.”

At the end of the day, Culdesac Coffee couldn’t be anymore prouder to be a safe haven for every single member of the community and have more than open arms for allys and coffee lovers alike. This cafe serves as a love letter to the community!

“Thank you for existing! Thank you for providing a space for the community, and hopefully we grow enough that we don't have to be labeled as such. Just keep on going and know that there's a whole community behind you, willing to give support at every turn.” Trisha co-owner of Culdesac Coffee, lovingly put.

Breaking Bread and Barriers

On the other side of the food industry spectrum, bakeries have also been known as a place where people would frequent to find comfort in baked goods that brought warm feelings of nostalgia. Agripina’s Bakery is a perfect example of that! Standing strong and tall for 59 years and counting, this simple mom and pop bakery shop has stood on the same road catering to a wide community of customers in the bustling city of Cubao.

Passed down from generation to generation for years and not much has changed. The same people have come and gone to get their daily bread fix. But what makes this bakery particularly queer friendly you ask? To start off, the current generation’s owners are a proud queer couple! Ally, Cubao born and raised and her partner, Inna who’s lived in Antipolo for most of her teenage years up until her early twenties.

Much like Cess and Trisha, they never dreamed of having the bakery passed down to them from Ally’s family. But a turn of events led to them keeping this bakery alive and running for the community that depended on it.

Much of their journey so far has been a tough and time consuming learning experience. It never occurred to them that the industry was hetero - dominated. They were too busy entering an industry wherein they were both new to.

Instead they’re focused on the technical side of things. “I was more focused on the more important things such as how to market my business, how to improve the process, and ultimately increase profit margins. When you're a businessman, the gauge of your success is not based on your preference but the bottom line!” Explained Ally, Co-owner of Agripina’s Panaderya.

Aside from taking the right steps businesswise and profitwise, they also make a point to create a safe space within their bakery for the community. Simple people from all walks of life have always been welcomed to visit the bakery and even be a part of their team.

"Yes, I would say our bakery is a safe space for the community as we have LGBTQIA employees and most of our returning customers are LGBTQIA+ as well! Even my heterosexual employees have a good relationship with them. I firmly believe that this openness is what keeps our customers coming back. Now we have regulars that we kamusta almost every day!”

A big part of why their customers keep coming back, isn’t only for the caring and open staff Agripina’s Panaderya has but the exceptional classic baked goods they provide for the surrounding community. Despite being an old school bakery, they still thrive and keep up as a business despite the ever changing demand for new products from customers. The answer is all in understanding what your customers want.

“I make sure that I give the customers what they want. It's best to be on the ground to see and hear it yourself. But also, I try to see what the newest trends on social media are, because social media has a big influence on the market.”

Among their most loved menu items are Filipino classics! Their best seller is the Pan De Coco, baked golden brown with a freshly grated sweet coconut filling. This specific bread is always sold out before lunch time! “Arguably the best Pan De Coco in Manila if you ask me.” Inna, Co-Owner of Agripina’s Panaderya, laughingly commented.

Their other classics are Kababayan, Sugar Donut and their special Coco Cheese. This is the brainchild of one of their bakers years ago, A bread roll coated in crunchy coconut shavings with a thick strip of sweet and savory cheese in the center. Usually a treat most tricycle drivers and homeowners love to have for merienda usually paired with a hot cup of Nescafe coffee.

Given that Agripina’s Panaderya is an old school bakery, One would question what exactly is their edge as a queer establishment? For them it’s their nostalgic charm that gives them their edge.

"I would say the biggest edge of my business is the feeling of being "home." My bakery is not the most aesthetic but it would definitely make you feel like you're at home. I have customers who come back abroad and buy our bread, share stories when they were little, and they even bring the bread abroad when they leave. It truly is an old-school neighborhood bakery.” Ally shared.

Owners Ally and Inna firmly believe that their bakery helps in the fight for SOGIE and equality because of how they mindfully manage and expand their staff as well as how they appreciate and love the community that allows them to continue what they do.

"Our cafe helps in the fight for SOGIE and equality through acceptance of people. When we hire people, we don't look at their gender preference. We also pay them equally. We also do not discriminate against customers that are part of the LGBTQIA+, in fact, we even develop a relationship with them that's why they keep coming back. This is a safe space for anyone and everyone to enjoy good bread and great conversations!”

Agripan’s Panaderya has been a little piece of home and solace for the community that loves and looks forward to visiting them every single day. When a customer buys their bread, they bring a little piece of home back with them.

“Here at Agripina's Panaderya, we love our bread, we love our gender, and most of all we love each other!”