Mag-kapi tayo sa Tindahan

All the many fabulous tourist destinations and attractions in different places always begin from its people. Here in my home city, La Carlota in Central Negros, are exciting spring and nature resorts, pools, the exceptional Pasalamat festival and other well-appreciated civic programs. And yes, these features only start from the friendly La Carloteños.

If you want to have a dose of friendship with the people of La Carlota, try to have a visit at the “kapihan community”. Actually, i just coined that name since it’s a place where there are series of coffee shops where people gather together to have coffee klatches.

It's located inside the city market serving good tasting native coffee early in the morning until the afternoon. Besides, they also dish up halo-halo, batchoy and arroz caldo. They also dole out “puto”, bread and “bingka”.

TALKS OVER COFFEE
Since it was my first time to have some coffee in that place, i needed to have some acquaintance until I discovered that the common people there developed a unique brand of daybreak table gatherings. Mangkasanons who almost always go there for a coffee are of various classes as engineers, architects, businessmen, photographers, officers, laymen, drivers and others. However, they have made it a habit that while sitting on the plastic chairs facing the wooden tables with aluminium linings set along the cemented pathways in the market, they are all equal. No one’s higher than the other. Everybody has the win-win attitude. No unpleasant totem pole of positions.

I joined their talks and asked few questions about their daily gatherings. Kapihan community has been these people’s preference to filter out the pressure from work and other problems. “If you’re here, you can live longer. Why? It’s where you can laugh out loud.” one folk said. Laughter is the best medicine as it is often retold. It is also a fact that a good laugh is equivalent to a 20-minute work out in the gym. A very nice day start, indeed.

The setting is also a good source of updates on current issues and information either local, national or even international. In this community, they often talk about politics, religion, work and problems in offices and problems in the country. “We can solve some problems from the city hall here than the employees do.” quipped one fellow. There are also talks that really encourage debates. That’s why, nobody sensitive should stay there or else tear will just dim your eyes.

Times come that some of the city’s councilors join the people in the kapihan community and share their thoughts and plans for the city.

HATE DULL MOMENTS
Several minutes past of staying their, i noticed they never run out of topics. The men’s chats often reaches topics about women, cocks and derbies. They also talk about sports, the “white elephants” in the city and sometimes about families and relationships.

Every table has their own choice of issue. They exchange ideas, they give out smiles and laughs. They plan and design for a day’s goal. They converse regarding everything under the sun. Some enjoy the make-believe stories, sundry punchlines and some even dig up “kutso-kutsos” and “chismis” about anybody on their table. Not to the extent of badmouthing. It’s absolutely just for laughs.

Unfortunately, after that stopover, i never went back. Ang tatanda na nang mga tao dun, di ako masyadong maka-relate. hmmp! Just kidding. I'll surely go back there in time.