Filipino merienda includes adobo sliders, crispy danggit, mini champorado, ginataang mais shots.
Award-winning barista Michael Harris Conlin says he started drinking coffee at a very young age. Because his parents forbade it, his coffee binging was done secretly. “I was around 10 to 11 years-old. And that’s why my younger brother Eric grew taller than me,” he said, laughing, when he hosted a press merienda.
Award-winning barista Michael Harris Conlin owns TGC, which he says is a social enterprise that helps coffee farmers produce high-quality coffee beans.
Michael Conlin with younger brother Eric
Michael isn’t actually vertically challenged. It’s just that Eric is really tall. Who could blame Michael for taking after their father, the original avid coffee drinker of the Conlin household? By the time he was 14, Michael was making cappuccinos for the older Conlin. This was way before the cappuccinos of foreign coffee shop chains became fashionable in the country. His love affair with coffee beans blossomed when he became a barista, a national champion at that (2019 Philippine National Barista Champion). He went on to open his own coffee shop called The Giving Café, or TGF.
In the foyer, the customers can choose from a wide selection of coffee, teas, and juices.
The café’s name owes much to the fact that it’s more than just a business. It’s a social enterprise. It helps Michael undertake his advocacy, which he calls #IndulgeInGiving. Every cup TGC serves contributes to the livelihood of Filipino coffee farmers, to ensure a sustainable coffee supply chain. TGC also helps fund the healthcare of farmers, and their children’s education. It sponsors seminars that teach new coffee-planting techniques to farmers.
“We source our beans from these farmers in La Trinidad in Benguet and also in Laguna,” said Michael. “And by working closely with them, we help improve both the quality and quantity of their coffee production, ensuring that they receive fair compensation. So now they feel confident that their children will continue farming even after they retire. Previously, the younger generation of coffee farmers was reluctant to follow in the footsteps of their parents. They witnessed how hard the work was, yet the families could hardly make ends meet.”
Michael inherited his father’s passion for coffee, and his sense of social responsibility from his maternal grandfather, the late Juan Bautista Lee. A water polo athlete who turned into business, Lee instilled in his children and grandchildren the value of kindness and giving back to the community. Fondly called “Angkong” by his grandchildren, he was the recipient of civic awards for his philanthropic projects.
“Ankong’s motto—Always be kind, kindness is free—remains a guiding principle of TGC. His dream was to inspire future generations to chase their dreams with integrity and kindness. TGC stands as a tribute to his life and values,” Michael told TheDiarist.ph.
In his own advocacy, Michael honors the legacy of his grandfather who made his fortune selling industrial equipment such as electric generators. In 1960, Juan Bautista Lee built his dream home along leafy A. Mabini Street in Addition Hills, Mandaluyong. Done in mid-century architecture, the split-level house was among the many grand homes in this hilly neighborhood situated between the newer gated enclaves of Wack Wack and Greenhills.
The two long dining tables and the billiard table on the right are some of the original fixtures of the house.
Angkong passed away in 2022 at age 104. The house was passed on to his seven children, with Michael and Eric representing their late mother. Michael leased the place from his uncles and aunts, and repurposed it into TGC’s latest branch, called the TGC A. Mabini. It was the perfect way to continue yet another legacy of his grandfather, who made his home an open house to friends and relatives. It was the venue of reunions and weekend gatherings, where the grandchildren could enjoy the swimming pool, play in the garden, or play billiards.
“Being the grandchildren, we didn’t’ grow up in this house. It was my mother who was raised here. When she married and had me and Eric, we lived in Pasay. Every Sunday, we’d come to this house after Mass. My mom’s siblings and their own families would also be always present,” Michael recalled. “Many of us grandchildren took turns living here during the final years of Angkong. He was bedridden and we’d stay here in shifts.”
Michael described how the house is “filled with decades of memories.” It played an important role in the family’s history. “Angkong poured his heart into creating a place filled with warmth and joy, where family and friends gathered.”
The old bedroom of Michael’s mother is now a merienda room. Diners can order a package of traditional Filipino merienda favorites and from TGC’s beverage menu.
What was once the living and dining rooms of the house are now the main dining area of TGC A. Mabini.
In the basement is the reading room where customers can check out the book collection of the original homeowner, Michael’s late maternal grandfather Juan Bautista Lee.
While the original architecture and layout of the house remain, the large bedrooms have been repurposed into private function rooms. The living and dining rooms are now the main dining area. The carport, where Angkong’s Toyota Crown used to be, is now enclosed as a buffet area. A portion of the basement was turned into a reading room where customers can have their coffee and check out Angkong’s book collection.
One of the bedrooms in the basement serves as an event place, in this case a baby shower.
Given its ample space, TGC A. Mabini is a venue for private parties, wedding receptions, bridal showers, corporate events and seminars. Guests can also explore the house for family heirlooms and portraits. The garden and rooms are ideal for prenups, group portraits, or selfies. There are many spots where guests can take photographs and preserve fun moments.
Michael took us on a tour of the house, starting with Angkong’s large bedroom with wide windows that overlook the backyard, with enough space to install a buffet table. There, guests can opt for a private degustacion of Angkong’s favorite dishes: crispy wontons, spinach soup, yang chow rice, TGC pancit, lengua con champignon, salt and pepper pork, sweet and sour chicken, crispy tofu, and TGC ice cream.
At the other end of the house is the old bedroom of Michael’s late mother. “When she and her sisters were children they’d play with their toy tea sets and pretend to have a tea party,” he said.
Today, the room has been set up for a real tea party and has been rechristened “Mom’s Room Pinoy Afternoon Coffee, Tea and Chocolate Set.” This merienda package features three courses: the first, adobo sliders, mini honey sriracha pandesal, and lumpiang sariwa; the second, mini cups of champorado and a side of crispy danggit, ginataang mais shots, and ginataang bilo bilo cups; the third, bibingka, mini turon balls, and mango tapioca. Beverages are tsokolate de batirol, salabat, tea, pandan lemon grass, barako coffee, and barako latte with muscovado syrup.
The main dining area serves the regular menu of comfort food and traditional dishes. There’s the bar by the main entrance where Michael’s award-winning coffee concoctions are available.
“Whether it is for breakfast, lunch or dinner, each dish is prepared to reflect the distinctive warmth of a home-cooked meal,” said Michael. “We’ve long believed that food has the power of bring people together to create new and lasting memories. Each meal TGC prepares and serves is an opportunity to experience the heart and soul of Angkong’s legacy.”
While on the subject of souls, we asked Michael if his Angkong’s spirit has been seen around the house. He seemed to be so attached to his beloved residence. He replied with a laugh, “Oh no! He lived to be 104 so I‘m sure he’s had it with this place. He outlived all his friends and dear relatives. He’s enjoying their company now.”
