The Kapihan Cafe in London's Battersea neighbourhood provides ex-pat Filipinos, and curious English eaters, with the authentic experience of Philippine coffee and bake
If there's one thing to know about Filipinos abroad, it's that they miss home, and they miss it dearly. It's no surprise then that once Filipinos fly out of these islands, they wish more than anything to take a bit of home with them. Out of this desire have sprung the many homages that pay tribute to our very own. In London, a certain neighbourhood cafe has been welcoming Filipinos and curious eaters from all around Battersea.
The entire concept, say founders David and Nigel Motley, is affixed to a memory that most Filipinos would have in their own remembrances. “Our Mum," they say, "told us stories of how our Lolo Ruperto would sit outside every morning with a strong cup of barako coffee and warm pandesal. As we got older, our curiosity of reliving this story became special, something we wanted to tell to others as we went on our own journey of discovery”.