Crescent Moon Cafe: A Quiet Afternoon in Antipolo

January 09, 2022

We couldn't tell from outside if the cafe was open. There were no other cars and the entire place was completely still. It was a Saturday afternoon but the recent surge of COVID cases in Metro Manila made this weekend quieter than most. We needed a breather in a secluded outdoor space away from the crowd. Who knew a tiny opening in narrow Sapang Buho Road, a busy urban side street in Antipolo, would lead to a spacious green oasis?

The lush greens and tall trees, and the single lane road leading into the property, all conspire to cause one to shift gears, to go slower, at a more deliberate pace. Crescent Moon  is a cafe and pottery studio, and a certain kind of palpable energy permeates the space - a vibe that is both creative and patient... it's the kind of energy I seek. Continuously productive, like a potter's wheel constantly spinning - stably, evenly - without the hurry.  

It's the same kind of energy that allows a gardener to care for plants, seeing and sensing where and how they will best thrive by watching them day by day. I saw a flower I couldn't name, and felt the quiet excitement of simple discovery. We walked around the garden for a bit, then the cafe staff turned on the lights and let us in.  My husband and I had the whole place to ourselves and we immersed in colorful quiet as we waited patiently for our order to arrive.

I ordered the local delicacy Antipolo is known for, suman served with a slice of fresh mango on the side. I sensed that it takes the same kind of productive-patient energy to cook sticky rice in high heat with coconut milk and wrap the mixture in buli leaves. I can only imagine how much skill and stamina it takes to stir the glutinous rice to perfection.  I treasured every glorious bite!  My husband would often bike to Antipolo and come back bearing a gift of suman for me - a treat that makes my heart jump - not only because I love suman, but also because I know my husband sacrifices some of his streamlined cycling efficiency to accommodate my pasalubong. The treat and his gesture are both sticky sweet.

Then, there's the tableware. I didn't only savor my coffee for its taste, I also relished the cup and saucer, and little jars of sugar and milk which were all hand-made at Crescent Moon. Across the dining hall, pottery of all sorts were on display and I marveled at familiar and surprising pieces alike!  There were imaginative pieces - playful, whimsical, quirky! And there were classic pieces, subtle, elegant, timeless. Crescent Moon does such a great job of getting me both excited and relaxed at the same time as I find myself quietly enjoying myself.

We concluded our afternoon coffee date feeling refreshed. We had a brief respite from the cares of the pandemic and the demands of work. We had a very quiet afternoon at Crescent Moon Cafe and it gave us the breather we needed. As we exited the premises, we passed through the single-lane road flanked by shrubs and trees. When we reached the busy street, we felt like we had just emerged from a secret garden. 