The Filipino-Indonesian collaboration behind Kenangan Coffee’s launch in Manila

Kenangan Coffee boasts a curated menu that balances tradition with novelty, featuring drinks like the creamy Avocado Coffee, indulgent Freezy Mocha Chip and crowd-favourite Salted Caramel Macchiato. 

Each beverage is rooted in the richness of Indonesian coffee culture, with beans sourced from regions like Java and Sumatra and the distinct flavour of gula aren (black palm sugar) lending caramel and molasses undertones.

“Filipinos will love it,” says Ong, who believes the brand’s accessible pricing and rich flavour profile make it a perfect fit for the local café scene. 

Tirtanata agrees, emphasising Kenangan Coffee’s unique appeal, “We’ll be the only café chain here specialising in Indonesian coffee beans and ingredients like black palm sugar. It’s about offering something familiar yet fresh.” 

Read more: Why coffee can be a ‘latte’ trouble

Kenangan Coffee’s first Philippine branch at SM Mall of Asia marks the beginning of a larger expansion plan, with additional locations slated to open in smalls like SM Megamall and SM North EDSA. The duo sees the Philippines as a vibrant market with a deep-rooted mall culture that fosters community and connection.

Tirtanata, an admirer of the Philippines’ dynamic retail scene, enthuses, “The mall culture here is among the best in the world. It’s a promising market for businesses like ours.” 

Ong, ever the aggressive entrepreneur, is equally optimistic, adding, “We’re not stopping at counters. Larger café formats are in the pipeline to offer Filipinos a space where they can gather, work or simply enjoy their daily cup of coffee.”

Read more: Spilling the beans: The bitter truth about your daily cup of coffee

The collaboration between the two Leaders of Tomorrow stems from a serendipitous LinkedIn connection that blossomed into a partnership built on shared principles and aligned visions. Tirtanata reflects, “I was drawn to Avin’s passion for serving the consumer. It was clear we could build something meaningful together.”

Read more: Edward Tirtanata founded Indonesia’s fastest-growing coffee chain, Kopi Kenangan. Here’s how he did it

For Ong, who sampled Kenangan Coffee during a trip to Indonesia, the decision was personal. “I loved it,” he recalls. “When we met, we realised our values and leadership styles aligned. It just made sense to bring this brand to the Philippines.”

With plans to grow further, Tirtanata and Ong hope to make Kenangan Coffee not just a café but a part of Filipinos’ everyday lives. “We want to be everyone’s daily cup of joe,” Tirtanata shares. Ong adds, “If the reception is anything like what we’ve seen today [at the launch event], we’re well on our way to becoming a leading beverage brand in the country.” 

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