Once entering cafes, the restless hymn of coffee beans awakens as it is being ground, attuned with the sound of every click of one’s finger on the keyboard. The stir of every whipped cream on top of a cup of iced latte harmonizes with every jolt of a pen on paper. The sweet aroma of the coffee then lingers across the cafe, swirling through every flip of the pages. In fact, a whole different house of people in uniforms and backpacks pulled a shot at the function. Orders were just once iced-blended frappes—just a sip and to-go drink packaged in disposable containers. But now, it is majorly velvety warm drinks—a six-hour stay and a for-here drink served in a mug.

The Philippine coffee market is now at its stoking phase. Global brands such as Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Dunkin’ Donuts may be at their peak, but local brands are also simmering on the steamline. Delving into the local beans, the influx of cafes has poured over the city of Davao—brewing from one street to another. More prominently, cafes are now the third spots for studying and other student-related activities. 

Students’ expresso toward cafes

A 2023 study by the International Journal of Education, Management, and Technology revealed that students are drawn to the cafe’s comforting atmosphere—ideal to ponder a cloud of ideas, has good digital facilities such as Wi-Fi and charging ports easily accessible; and a more laid-back social ambiance.

Karla Altamirano, a second-year AB Political Science student, is one of the customers from this “new market”—a uniformed, backpack slung over her shoulders. But instead of the typical coffee, her eyes are locked onto matcha.

“Many cafes attract workaholics and students, creating an environment that boosts my motivation and productivity,” she noted. 

If the cafe’s subtle comfort lures the senses of students, don’t comfort; they may as well sit within the chasms of home or at the second home—school? Though both of these spaces may be potential spaces for learning, there is still this contrasting conduciveness that each space brings out.

“Ang difference for me kay studying at home feels too comfortable. Like, murag, if sa dorm lang ko mag-study, duol ra kaayo ang bed, so dali ra ko ma-lazy, and mas dako ang chance na mag-procrastinate ko kay ako lang man,” Kristine Aspril, another second-year AB Political Science student and another cafe enthusiast, stated.

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The bell rings. The barista calls out a mispronounced name. The freshly brewed coffee is placed on the table. A photo is then taken along with reviewers disarrayed and highlighters—captioning it with “A Day in the Life of an Atenean Student.” But beyond Instagrammable study habits, it also unravels the caffeinated experience of most students.

Extracting the beans out, the search for ease comes with an economic cost.

“Maka hurot jud siya kwarta if always ka naga cafe in a week. My allowance is two thousand [pesos per week], pero I have a lot of expenses pa like laundry, food, etc,” Aspril shared. 

The struggle does not stop with exuberant coffee prices. Upon entering the door, it is also a quiet tug-of-war over tables between the “OG” daily drinkers versus exam preppers. In some instances, the environment these students once thought was for study talks becomes a palace for small talks—even as loud as the hums of coffee machines.

“While some people were there studying or working like me, the majority seemed more interested in just eating and socializing. It was a bit frustrating because it turned my usual workspace into more of a leisure spot, and it wasn’t exactly what I needed at the time,” Altamirano recalled.

While waiting for the coffee to be served, a challenge unfolds from spotting the difference between cafes and Atenean spaces. Unlike at cafes where you can sip, munch, and cram, the policy of the university library despises the itty-bitty crumbs scattered all over the table, not to mention the possible splatters of latte on decade-old books. 

Exploring more on Atenean spaces, the Gazebos are open-air learning spaces where students can eat while studying; however, chatters of students could sometimes overlap. Not to mention, the immense heat from the sun could be unbearable especially during afternoons, making it difficult for students to concentrate.

Instead of unwanted chitchatting and uncontrollable heatwaves, Elli Bejarin, a second-year AB Psychology student, only prefers the “buzzling” sound of cafes–the perfect middle ground of noise and silence.

“Cafes are naturally buzzling so it doesn’t bother me if I will make a little bit of noise,” she said. 

The aftertaste

The issue is not the influx of cafes overshadowing the availability of study hubs and other student-centered areas. 

“There are actually a lot of student-centered spaces that are accessible anywhere here in Davao. The real problem is not the lack of student-centered spaces but rather the budget or cost in going to such spaces,” Bejarin observed.

Study hubs, while available in public, come with a price tag that makes them less practical than cafes as they operate on hourly fees, adding food costs on top—sometimes doubling what students can afford.

“Students would prefer to study in coffee shops since they can just order one drink, and they can stay for many hours compared to study hubs where they have to pay per hour, and in addition, they need to pay for their food,” she added.

This stark economic reality hits like a bitter accent on the tongue, wherein the time and opportunity for students to actually learn is often more capitalized than being addressed. Though a plethora of privately owned study hubs and student-centered spaces may have the liberty to pursue such a line of business, this calls for a more accessible and cost-free learning area for students.

“While cafes can be nice, they ultimately function as businesses, requiring students to spend money to stay there. In contrast, student-centered spaces would be more inclusive because they are free and specifically designed for students’ needs,” Altamirano suggested.

Whip on top

As its aroma had diverted to the flavor slurped by the tongue, the trend of cafe culture outbursts had a bittersweet flavor. The sweet facade of a romanticized student life, yet a bitter note reminding that every linger comes with a peso—all for the sake of comfort. 

Every study session should not be wrapped with paid comfort. Atenean spaces must adapt to the needs and demands of students, especially that this centrally drizzles on learning. Libraries, gazebos, and areas near classrooms with desks are designated separately for studying and socializing. Yet these university spaces are insufficient to fully meet the diverse learning needs of students.

So the next time a student buys their next cup after being aware of the social implications of the sudden strike of students in cafes, hopefully it’s the flavor they did not merely need, but what they actually crave for—with some extra whip on top!

Editor’s Note: This article was first issued in the December 2025 First Semester Newsletter of Atenews.