By Romel “Direk” F. Bernardo

We don’t have water here, just coffee,” quipped 58-year-old Kuwaiti national Ahmeer Alkatan as I requested a glass of water after a scenic 30-minute journey through the woodland from bustling Pinamalayan to the quiet, quaint town of Pola. Known for its few remaining pockets of glorious “Bahay na Bato” or “Bahay Kastila,” Pola now boasts a new gem: F1RST CAFE.

Ahmeer and his Filipina wife, Norilyn, initially opened F1RST CAFE on December 8, 2022, surrounded by close friends, business acquaintances, and relatives in the coastal village of Calima. The coffeehouse occupies the lower ground portion of an imposing two-story family-owned building constructed—under Ahmeer’s supervision—using local materials such as reclaimed wood, dried bamboo, and earth-colored stones abundant in the area.”

But why build a fancy coffeehouse in a sleepy village whose main industries are fishing and copra?” I asked. Ahmeer paused, then signaled his staff to bring us freshly brewed coffee. As we waited, this writer and Ahmeer’s friends, including hotelier Arnold Helera and Metrobank bankers Freddie Lopez and Ed Catle, eagerly listened to his response.

For 35 years, Ahmeer managed a family-owned haberdashery in Kuwait, supplying thawb—long-sleeved and ankle-length robes—to locals, government officials, and even royals. However, after his father’s passing a few years ago, Ahmeer decided to let his siblings take over the business. This allowed him and his wife to pursue their passions and interests and to travel regularly to his beloved wife’s hometown. For more than three decades, I was used to giving orders to my staff in my country, and it was a boring period of my life. My wife’s place here has let me fulfill my lifelong dream of doing regular work using my hands,” Ahmeer revealed passionately.

“This is also our way to help Baby’s birthplace by providing revenue sources to the village and jobs to locals.”F1RST CAFE offers cakes, pastries, and coffee beverages prepared not by baristas but by an intelligent metal brewer that can prepare 20 coffee beverages—from Espresso to Macchiato to Cappuccino—in a matter of seconds. The staff simply uses a tablet-like touch-screen selection panel to turn customers’ cravings into freshly brewed coffee drinks.

This imported, easy-to-use modern coffee machine allows the establishment to employ young locals without formal training in bartending or restaurant services, making them productive members of the community.

Ahmeer and Norilyn hope to entice local coffee lovers, cyclists, and motorcycle riders who visit scenic Pola, which is teeming with tourism potential—from Vigan-like ancestral homes to powdery beaches, marshlands, and waterfalls.

Recently, they have expanded their efforts to boost local tourism by opening a beachfront events venue called Diwaniya. Located just a walking distance from the coffee shop, this al fresco bar-like venue is perfect for birthdays, reunions, and picnics. Diwaniya comes complete with a free audio system, barbecue grill, fridge, electric fan, bahay kubo, and filtered water.

Another proof of the couple’s deep bond with the town, Diwaniya, underscores their commitment to enhancing local tourism and providing more attractions for visitors. The couple also plans to open bed-and-breakfast-style accommodations beside the coffee shop soon.