WHAT ABOUT COFFEE IS WAKE-UP WORTHY

Nestled in a side street off Katipunan, across both Ateneo and Miriam College, is G Park, a new coffee destination for those who live, study, or work in the area.

- VICKY VELOSO-BARRERA

We usually park on this road, B. Gonzalez, when we go to church at nearby St. Regis.

G Park features a stylish '70s house transformed into a unique coffee spot called What About Coffee, or WaCo for short. The owners also run a branch of JT Manukan beside it. The spacious area in front takes care of parking.

"Some people don't like old houses; they think there's so much work that needs to be done," shares Patrick "Pato" Gregorio, who became an entrepreneur after 15 years of corporate life.

This well-maintained home didn't need much work, and the layout was conducive to the creation of a fashionably retro space that accommodates the coffee shop, a private study space, and interesting nooks that are filled with art and light.

Patrick's first 15 years running hotels in Davao and Cebu are apparent in What About Coffee, with its delicious fare and seamless service. After joining the MVP Group and working for Smart, Manila Water, and Land Co., he continued to make use of his college tourism course by running the University Hotel at his alma mater, UP Diliman. That's also where he opened Pat and Pat, a Filipino restaurant, then acquired a franchise of JT Manukan along Katipunan.

"We grew the restaurants during COVID," he says, increasing their JT Manukans to four. "Entrepreneurs increased during the pandemic, and while other businesses were in an uncertain state, people always need food."