Orderly. Spic and span. Cozy. Great place. Perfect hangout spot or idling spot. 

These all describe a newly opened café at a public market in the Municipality of Tubungan, Province of Iloilo.

Aside from great-tasting coffee, the place offers various flavors of milk tea, shakes, and fruit tea. But did you know that the shop is operated by a differently abled person?

Alter Taborete, a resident of Barangay Singon in Tubungan was born with hearing and speech impairments. However, he has learned to stave off challenges in all shapes and sizes that come to the differently abled. He pays attention more on his desire to become a full-fledged entrepreneur. In fact, he does not only prepare the brew or concoction, but he also serves these to customers himself to establish, perhaps in a literal sense, some level of closeness to his clients who like him are members of the PWD (persons with disability) community.

In a message he sent to the news team through an interpreter, he expressed that it has always been his goal to come up with a startup business that would bank on the marketing invincibility and timeless appeal of coffee.

Initially, he had his fellow deaf-mutes in mind for guests who, like him, have aspired to have a hangout spot where they could bond and communicate without having to be conscious about reception and inclusivity.

He said that while he has pushed himself to be empowered financially, his endeavor has also helped his family, and his fellow PWDs.The place is open as well to other communities who have the ability to communicate in the sign language.

The adorable place is branded as “Ismayl Café,” which indeed gives customers every reason to smile, and every reason to radiate warmth.

Alter’s initiative is supported highly by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office of the Tubungan Municipal Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).

The Tubungan MSWDO has mulled on providing cooking materials so the coffeeshop can serve food items as well, such as fries and burgers, among others, to match the coffee, shakes, and tea.