A New Chapter for The Giving Café: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

A New Chapter for The Giving Café

As we joyfully open the doors to the second branch of The Giving Café (TGC) A.Mabini, we are embarking on a new chapter that continues a legacy of community, kindness, and extraordinary coffee. This café is more than just a place to grab your favorite brew; it is a space deeply rooted in family history and purpose. Inspired by the life of my grandfather, Juan Bautista Lee, The Giving Café represents a vision of bringing people together—not just to enjoy a cup of coffee, but to share in meaningful experiences that uplift both the heart and the local community.

Launched in 2017, The Giving Café was born out of a desire to create a social enterprise with a purpose far beyond coffee. At its core, TGC supports Filipino coffee farmers through our advocacy #IndulgeInGiving. Every cup served contributes directly to the livelihoods of these farmers, fostering a sustainable and equitable coffee supply chain. Beyond this, TGC hosts events and workshops to raise awareness about sustainability, coffee quality, and the future of the Philippine coffee industry.

This new branch not only continues our mission but renews our commitment to providing a space where people can connect, share stories, and feel inspired. We invite you to join us in this journey—a journey that honors the past, celebrates the present, and builds a beautiful future, one cup at a time. This is a place for the youth to enjoy, feel safe and #MakePreciousMemories

The Legacy of Juan Bautista Lee

At the heart of The Giving Café is the legacy of my grandfather, Juan Bautista Lee. His life was a testament to determination, resilience, and kindness. Starting out as a street vendor, he rose through hard work and ambition. His athletic prowess was evident when he competed in the 2nd Asian Games, where he proudly won a bronze medal in water polo, showcasing his perseverance and passion.

But beyond his athletic accomplishments, my grandfather’s greatest impact was his dedication to community. A staunch supporter of the YMCA, he worked tirelessly to promote youth development and community service. His contributions to the Tsinoy and Filipino communities earned him the prestigious Dr. Jose P. Rizal Awards for Excellence, an honor that reflected his lifelong commitment to giving back.

Despite his many achievements, it was my grandfather’s humility and kindness that defined him. His motto, “Always be kind, kindness is free,” remains a guiding principle of The Giving Café. His dream was to inspire future generations to chase their dreams with integrity and kindness. This café stands as a tribute to his life and values, ensuring that every visitor feels the spirit of generosity and inspiration that he embodied.

A Space with History and Heart

The second branch of The Giving Café is more than just a new location—it’s a home filled with decades of memories, built by my grandfather, Juan Bautista Lee, in the 1950s. This space, has been a part of our family’s history for generations. It was here that he poured his heart into creating a place filled with warmth and joy, where family and friends gathered, shared meals, and built lasting memories.

Now, we open this special home to the public, inviting everyone to experience the love and legacy that it holds. We’ve preserved the soul of this space, ensuring it remains a sanctuary where people can come together to connect, reflect, and create new memories with their loved ones. We welcome you to our family’s home, for you to make it an extension of yours, where stories are shared, and memories are made.

Whether you’re celebrating life’s big moments or embarking on new beginnings, The Giving Café is a venue designed for every occasion. From prenups, weddings, and Tinghun ceremonies to birthdays, graduations, and baby showers, this space embraces every chapter of life. We also welcome meetings, corporate events, and parties, offering an inviting atmosphere for both intimate and larger gatherings.

Our café is more than a place for coffee and food—it’s a space where life’s most important moments can be celebrated and shared. We invite you to bring your family and friends, share a meal, and be part of something truly special—a café that carries the heart of a family, the spirit of kindness, and the warmth of home.

The Giving Café’s Advocacy: #IndulgeInGiving

At The Giving Café, every cup of coffee serves a greater purpose. Our mission goes beyond exceptional coffee experiences—we are dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of Filipino coffee farmers. Through our advocacy, #IndulgeInGiving, we support farmers by ensuring that a portion of every cup served goes back to them, creating a sustainable and equitable coffee supply chain.

In partnership with the Foundation for Sustainable Coffee Excellence, we fund programs that uplift farming communities through educational assistance, sustainable farming practices, and access to basic health necessities. By working closely with local farmers, we help improve both the quality and quantity of their coffee production, ensuring they receive fair compensation.

By visiting The Giving Café, you are not just enjoying coffee—you’re contributing to a larger movement of giving back to the hands that make your coffee possible. Together, through #IndulgeInGiving, we are building a sustainable and empowered coffee industry for future generations.

Culinary Offerings: A Nod to Heritage

At The Giving Café, we believe food, like coffee, has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories. Alongside our specialty coffee, we proudly offer a selection of Filipino-Chinese comfort food, crafted with love and care that honors our family’s culinary heritage.

Our menu blends tradition with innovation, offering both familiar flavors and new experiences. Each dish is carefully prepared to reflect the warmth of home-cooked meals, just like the ones my grandfather used to share with his family and friends. Among these, lengua, his all-time favorite dish, holds a special place on our menu, prepared with the same dedication and love that he cherished. Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, a light lunch, or a comforting dinner, our dishes are made to satisfy and nourish, leaving you with a sense of belonging and joy.

Incorporating Filipino-Chinese flavors, our culinary offerings include a variety of savory and sweet options, perfect for pairing with our signature coffee drinks. From classic favorites like TGC pancit, shanghi lumpia, lomi, champorado to modern takes on traditional dishes, we aim to bring the comforting taste of home to every table. These are the flavors of my family’s history, shared with love and pride, to be enjoyed by all who visit.

We invite you to savor not only our coffee but also the dishes that define our story. Every meal at The Giving Café is an opportunity to experience the heart and soul of our heritage, offering warmth and comfort in every bite.

An Invitation to the Community

At The Giving Café, we believe our space is more than a place to enjoy exceptional coffee and food—it’s a place where stories are shared, dreams are nurtured, and memories are made. We designed this café to be a welcoming haven where families and friends come together to celebrate life’s moments.

Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely breakfast, celebrating a special occasion, or catching up with a loved one over coffee, our doors are open to you. Beyond just a café, we offer a space for reflection and inspiration, hosting community events, discussions, and workshops to encourage learning, collaboration, and giving back.

We are honored to be part of this community, and we welcome you to make The Giving Café a part of your stories and celebrations. Join us as we celebrate life, love , and community—one cup at a time.

Continuing the Legacy

As we open the doors to the second branch of The Giving Café, we honor the legacy of my grandfather, Juan Bautista Lee, and his commitment to kindness, perseverance, and community. This café is not just a business—it is a reflection of the values he lived by and a tribute to his lifelong dedication to inspiring others to chase their dreams and live life to the fullest.

With every cup of coffee, every meal, and every act of kindness, we carry forward the spirit of giving that my grandfather cherished. We invite you to be part of this legacy—not just as a customer, but as a member of a community united by connection, generosity, and shared stories.

Whether you come to celebrate, reflect, or simply enjoy great food and company, The Giving Café welcomes you. Our doors are open to all who seek to create lasting memories, honor the past, and build a beautiful coffee future.

Together, we can continue this journey of giving, creating a space where every visit becomes part of something bigger—a community united by kindness and life’s simple joys. Join us at The Giving Café, where every cup and every story brings us closer together.

The Giving Cafe Mabini is located at 858A A. Mabini Mandaluyong City

#IndulgeInGiving #MakePreciousMemories