Meng Guiabar and Princess “Cess” Abadiano wanted to travel around the Philippines and explore its beauty. However, to do that, they would need a steady income.
Instead of sticking with online jobs, the two started a mobile coffee business.
“Aside from wanting to see what’s more in the Philippines, we want to start doing what we love most, and that’s traveling and making coffee,” Meng said.
Starting a mobile coffee shop also came naturally for the two since they are passionate about coffee.
“Nung college pa ako is mahilig na ako mag kape,” Meng said.
Her love for coffee grew when she took this passion a step further by enrolling in an introductory training class on coffee in 2022. During this training, she met enthusiasts that made her appreciate coffee more.
“Doon ko pa lalo nagugustohan ang coffee dahil sa mga ibat ibang notes kumbaga ang coffee ay isang art talaga, na di mo akalain na di lang pait ang malalasahan mo (I fell in love more with coffee because I learned that it is not only bitter but there are other flavor notes that you can taste. Coffee is truly an art form),” she said.
Meanwhile, Cess got into coffee because of Meng.
“Before diving into the world of coffee, I never quite understood its appeal. It wasn’t until Meng took me to various coffee shops in Davao that my perception began to change,” Cess said.
She said with each visit to different coffee shops, Meng encouraged her to try other brews.
“As I savored each cup, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the complexity of coffee. It was like discovering a whole new world hidden within a simple beverage. This newfound curiosity led me to ask Meng to teach me the basics of coffee-making, starting from the calibration of equipment to the intricacies of perfecting the extraction process,” Cess said.
Cess likened coffee to people.
“Each type has its own personality, shaped by factors like origin, processing method, and roasting technique. Just like us, coffee beans have their own stories to tell, waiting to be explored and appreciated,” she said.
Meng and Cess were also profoundly fascinated by the seed-to-cup story of coffee.
“Learning about the cultivation of coffee plants, the harvesting process, and the meticulous art of roasting opened our eyes to the rich history and culture behind this beloved beverage,” Cess said.
Beyond coffee’s technical aspects and complexities, Meng and Cess were drawn to how it is a social drink. Meng noted how this aspect allowed them to learn more about coffee.
“Ang nagustuhan ko about coffee bukod sa lasa nya is dahil sa coffee it unites coffee enthusiasts, dahil sa coffee ay mas lumalawak yung learnings namin (I grew to love coffee more because of not only its taste but also how it unites enthusiasts and getting to learn more about it),” she said.
“Whether it was over a business meeting or a casual catch-up with friends, coffee served as a common ground, fostering connections and sparking conversations,” Cess said.
In 2023, Princess and Meng opened Ryokou Mobile Coffee, the first stop in Kabacan, North Cotabato. Ryokou is the Japanese term for travel.
“Gusto lang talaga namin ma-explore ang Pilipinas (we want to explore the Philippines) while doing what we love and at the same time, still earning. Para ma-make use yung sasakyan ni Meng, naisipan namin mag mobile coffee at e give up ang pagiging VA (To make use of Meng’s car we thought of giving up being virtual assistants (VA) and start a mobile coffee),” Meng said.
Ryokou is committed to “creating a unique and memorable coffee experience that travels with us while generating income and fostering connections with communities we visit.”
The two women also said that with Ryokou, they “aim to traverse the diverse landscapes of the country, sharing our passion for coffee while discovering new horizons and building lasting relationships with local communities.”
However, running a mobile coffee shop traversing provinces can be challenging.
“There are logistical hurdles like finding the right locations, obtaining permits, and managing inventory. Managing a mobile setup requires careful planning for transportation, setup, and breakdown,” Cess said.
They added that they needed to ensure their equipment was portable yet sturdy enough to withstand frequent movement.
Meng noted that it was also not easy to resupply their coffee beans.
“It was challenging po samin nung nag statart pa po kaming mag roam. We stick lang talaga sa one roaster… pero habang tumatagal, nahihirapan kami since minsan walang stock ang supplier namin because of the demand (It was a challenge when we started. We had one roaster and there were times that restocking can be difficult because the supplier had no stock, especially when demand is high),” she said.
To address this, they decided to support the local roasters in their visiting areas. While this can cause problems in terms of consistency in taste, Meng said they had to calibrate their coffee regularly.
Building their community and customers also requires extra leg work.
“Building a loyal customer base when your location changes frequently requires extra effort. Providing consistent quality, excellent customer service, and engaging with customers through social media can help foster loyalty,” Cess said.
Yet, the two see beauty in running their mobile coffee shop.
“On the bright side, you get to bring your coffee to different places and meet a variety of people… for those passionate about coffee and adventure, it’s a unique and rewarding endeavor,” Cess said.
They also enjoy meeting new people in the cities and towns they visit.
“Ang nagustuhan namin sa pag tra-travel namin sa iba’t ibang places ay may mga nakikilala kaming mga iba’t ibang personalidad ng tao, nagkakaroon kami ng mga unexpected na mga solid na kaibigan, nakaka meet kami ng mga tao na into coffee na nag shashare ng kanilang knowledge about coffee (What we loved about the travels is meeting different people, some of whom became our friends. We also meet fellow coffee enthusiasts who share what they know about coffee to us),” Meng said.
Their travels also allow them to explore the different coffee scenes of each city or town they visit.
“The coffee scene varies from city to city, reflecting local tastes, traditions, and innovations,” Meng said.
“In Davao, for example, there’s a strong emphasis on specialty coffee and artisanal roasters, while in Cotabato, it’s all about the café culture and meticulously brewed espresso drinks. In Tacurong, you’ll find a focus on sustainability and community-driven coffee shops. What we love most about each scene is the unique blend of flavors, techniques, and atmospheres that make each city’s coffee culture extra special,” she added.
Meng and Cess also observed that most Dabawenyos “are coffee enthusiasts who know what they want and are discerning about their coffee choices.”
“This discernment sets them apart, as they appreciate the quality and craftsmanship that goes into each cup,” Cess said.
They also appreciated the patience of the Davao crowd lining up for their coffee.
“There have been instances where customers waited for up to an hour, showcasing their patience and understanding while appreciating the efforts of coffee providers. This unique blend of passion, patience, and appreciation contributes to the vibrant and distinctive coffee culture in Davao City,” Cess said.
As they go around the country in the coming years, they plan to diversify their menu with specialty drinks and seasonal offerings.
“Alongside this, we’ll focus on personalized service and community engagement, building a loyal customer base,” Meng said.
They also hope to develop their business into a franchise and open physical stores in different parts of the country.
To date, Ryokou has already visited Kabacan, Mlang, Midsayap, Arakan, Carmen, General Santos City, Kidapawan City, and Tacurong City in Socsksargen; Davao City in Davao Region; and Cotabato City in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.
Based on their go-to list goal, they are targeting to visit most major cities and towns in all the regions of Mindanao. Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City, and Marawi City are just some of the cities on the list. Ryokou is also looking into visiting cities in the Visayas and Luzon soon.
Meanwhile, they have extended their stay in Davao City to May 8. From April 29 to May 1, they will be at the Mitsubishi Gateway—Matina West, and from May 3 to 8, they will be at the Top Secret Auto Detailing along Loyola St., Obrero.
Meng and Cess are on a mission to serve you a good cup of coffee wherever they go. They also seek to continue growing as they meet people and share a cup of coffee.
“With each sip, we found ourselves drawn further into the world of coffee, eager to learn and explore everything it had to offer. It’s a journey fueled by passion and curiosity and one that we’re grateful to be a part of. In short, coffee ignited our thirst for knowledge and exploration,” Meng said.