WHO DO YOU WAKE UP FOR?: Filipinos' Love For Coffee

Undeniably, there’s something special about how we, Filipinos, start the day with a cup of coffee as we welcome another morning.

When there’s a pandesal, the perfect pair is kape. Before going to school, kape is a friend for a student. For a driver who owns a jeepney, the good morning towel isn’t the only one that makes his day lighter, because he sipped his kape before he left home. There’s also a night shift girly who is a call-center agent who grabs her favorite kape from a local coffee shop near her office.

As if it’s a ritual that we cannot let go of.

For us Filipinos, we are after the energy it gives us. But to be honest, coffee is more than just a drink. It is becoming a friend to us every time we need a push– this cup of caffeine is the sign that something has to get started and something needs to be done.

Yet, wonder why coffee seems so fitting in our daily or nightly routines? Perhaps the answer lies in biology facts, our culture and Pinoy instincts to continue whatever we do.

**Where Does This “Gising” Feeling Come From? A Biology Facts!**

The reason coffee makes us more alive and awake is because of the caffeine. It is a stimulant which affects our central nervous system. Its one of the major actions of it is to block adenosine receptors in our brains.

Moreover, adenosine is a chemical associated with sleepiness and the buildup of fatigue throughout the day. By temporarily interfering with that process, caffeine can help us feel more alert and less tired.

Everytime we consume coffee, there is a feeling of “Kaya ko ‘to!” even after just a few sips, right? Facts!

A research has also explored caffeine’s effects on attention, alertness, and cognitive performance, particularly when people are tired or sleep-deprived. Hence, that morning cup can feel useful when you’re heading into a long day of lectures, meetings, reports, or deadlines.

But remember, coffee does not erase exhaustion. It can only make you feel more awake when you need it. Thus, while Filipinos like to hustle, we also want some push to get things done.

One Cup Is Essential

This relationship that we have with coffee is not just about the euphoric sensation it gives.

Coffee is present at breakfasts, quick breaks, for overnight study, and even spontaneous night outs. Consuming the energy that coffee gives can be used to create memories with people who you share the time with.

Essentially, this energizer resonates with our culture because it reflects how resilient we can be. How eager we can get especially at times that we want to achieve a goal.

It is a symbol. Showing we work hard but we pause when we can. Then, we show up once again to do everything for our dreams to come true.

Take A Sip And Start The Day

The boost caffeine gives us also provides comfort to our senses. We become familiar to the effects of coffee in our body and we tend to chase that familiarity because sometimes, we need the motivation to begin our life in a day.

A cup of coffee, too, gives warmth between our hands, because it wants to remind you that it is okay to feel things rather than keeping everything inside.

For whatever reason, certainly, coffee has found a permanent place at the Filipino table. It stays with us to be our cue that a friend isn’t just about somebody who breathes– it can also be something that releases a tiny smoke, an aroma, and a flavor that can make your day more meaningful than ever.

So that next time you are alone, remember that kape is just everywhere. Tomorrows are never promised, so take a sip and start the day with a coffee now.