Minutes away from busy Cubao is Anonas, a place popularly known for ukay-ukay, internet cafes and two music places Freedom Bar and Bistro 70s. The area is very much accessible by car, jeep, FX and LRT. There’s also a big palengke, a hospital and several schools nearby.

Who would have known that right in the middle of this busy area there will be a haven for coffee lovers and WIFI addicts? Well, the idea is now a reality with Kape Tasyo which is holding fort at the precise spot where Freedom Bar stands. No, Freedom Bar isn’t closed for business. But I think the owners found it a good business proposition to have a cafe at daytime where Freedom Bar rocks away at nighttime.

Those who have gone to Freedom Bar for a gig or two will have a gentle shock when they go to Kape Tasyo at daytime. Tables are covered with light-colored covers. There’s a friendly people staffing the coffee joint. The day’s newspapers are all there for browsing by guests. There’s also a small library that’s been used as platform for story-telling and book-reading sessions. To top it all, there’s free WIFI!

Kape Tasyo’s motif is quite refreshing and does away from the modern, Western style of the established cafes. The folks at Kape Tasyo are garbed in Filipiniana attire. The menu is a work in progress, with prices that cater to the middle socio-economic segment (very affordable!) and they offer free coffee refills too!

Kape Tasyo hosted “KALAP, KALAT, AKLAT: Tongues on Fire by Conrado de Quiros”, a book launch-cum-forum last Oct. 13.

The place is well-suited for small gatherings, meetings and as tambayan. Its a haven for writers and reporters. It is perhaps as accessible as Cubao, but not as expensive or crowded.