Common Man Coffee Roasters in the Philippines: How will they elevate coffee and brunch culture?

The movement to make great coffee accessible, and to educate the consumer is one they strive to make easy, simple, and exciting. “Essentially the idea is to be able to share knowledge, and the best way to do so is to create an experience in the cafe that helps facilitate it; from intentional touchpoints in the store and through different activities that we will be offering in Manila soon, like the CMCR Academy and our cupping sessions,” explains Bovell. 

The Philippine market can expect the same experiences found in Singapore, broadening our perspectives and understanding of what it is we are consuming through the entry of Common Man Coffee Roasters. The potential that the Singapore team sees in the Philippines is rich, bubbling with opportunity. “Café culture and brunch concepts are generating a lot of buzz in the Philippines; both cafes and brunch are already becoming a big part of people's lives. Manila has good taste. It's quite evident that the Philippines as a country has been very interested in a lot of food concepts that push boundaries, and Filipinos have been seeking out more elevated and diverse F&B experiences, making it the perfect place to further develop an appreciation for speciality coffee and great brunch,” Bovell tells Tatler. “It's a pleasure to share this space in the growing F&B scene in the Philippines. We have to give credit to the people who are building this scene already as they've helped refine tastes and open doors for Filipinos to try out something new. We're definitely here to help elevate F&B in the country, instead of rewriting it to fit our narrative. It's about opening up the country to elevated experiences, great coffee and delectable brunch, expand the horizons for the country, and hopefully start a movement of some sort,” Bovell expounds. 

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At Common Man, the F&B experience may start with coffee, but it sure does not end there. The concept confidently presents an elevated unconventional brunch menu, offering your sought-after staples with a Common Man twist. Fans of the café will be delighted to learn that the menus are pretty much the same globally, with only slightly localised touches incorporated to prioritise Philippine producers and stay committed to their sustainable mission. “We stayed true to the original menu from Singapore so you get to experience the heart of the brand–but with a few tweaks and added touches to complement the local palate, without compromising the idea of the dishes themselves. We're also crafting an exclusive coffee drink for Manila, which you'll be able to meet in our cafes very soon,” Bovell adds. 

A fleshed-out, clear brand identity, paired with a hands-on team ensures that its vision and mission are felt across the various channels at Common Man Coffee Roasters. The intricate teamwork has pushed this brand to where it is today, to a position where its ethos, a dedication to the truth, is felt through and through: from coffee to brunch, and even with the design of its various spaces too.

See also: Where to order coffee 2023: beans, ready-to-drink brews, and more

Soon to open its doors, Common Man Coffee Roasters is owned and operated by a joint venture between the seasoned home-grown juggernaut Jollibee Foods Corporation and Food Collective, Pte. Ltd. (FCPL). This signals the arrival of more new concepts from Singapore to the Philippines: a fresh wave of brands that are highly attuned to the conscious consumer and hyper-focused on holistic experiences, keeping us eager to find out what’s next.

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