It started out gloomy – the clouds seemed dense and heavy. There were no warm sunshine hues that I have always looked forward, too. Fine drops of rain started to hit the window pane of the room where I stayed for some nights in that city. Then, it hit me – that day was the start of the most colorful street dance competition in the town, the highlight of Bacolod City’s Masskara Festival! “No, it couldn’t be pouring. Not today,” I uttered.
My prayers and the energy of my positivity emanating from the bathroom while I shower might have reached the heavens above as I saw golden rays through the curtain gaps the moment I stepped out of the door – ah, sunshine, yes! I wore my pretty little floral summer dress, hung the round rattan bag on my shoulder, snatched my phone from the bed side table then headed downstairs for a hearty breakfast. The toast, bacon and egg tasted better with Bacolod’s finest coffee.
I was told that the street dance competition and parade will start at three or four in the afternoon so I got all the time to roam around in the morning. I let myself be taken anywhere instead. Sun’s out; it’s a good day, anyway!
I was on a road trip with a few friends and with the destination unknown to me. For thirty minutes, we were driving through pavements with quaint little houses and buildings on each side. After a moment, we found ourselves passing through a relaxing road with greens and woods on both sides. That’s when I asked as to where were we going. I was told that we’ll just have some coffee and morning snacks. We haven’t even arrived but I think I have already loved where were going.
Then, we stopped. The car engine died down we got off and found ourselves in a cafe nestled on the mountain side – Duyan Cafe.
About Duyan Cafe
The word
Duyan is a
Tagalog word which means hammock. When you enter the cafe, you’ll see a lot of woven hammocks hung anywhere, even at the ceiling. This cafe is actually more than just a hippie Instagram-worthy spot located in Sitio Lantawan, Silay City. It is among the best places to enjoy breakfast in the morning or snacks in a windy afternoon as it promises a breath taking views of Negros Occidental’s greenest mountain ranges and hilltops.
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| Duyan with a view |
Duyan Cafe is open only during Wednesdays to Sundays from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Operating hours, though, vary. They post the schedule on their
Facebook page, anyway. Best spot to hang out in Duyan Cafe is at the
kubo or nipa huts that is for rent for Php 150.00 to Php 200.00. Five people can hang out at the same time at the kubo.
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| This kubo has another spot to dine below it. This is something like the attic of the whole nipa house! Isn’t it lovely? |
The Menu
The cafe offers heavy breakfast such as tapa, tocino and chorizo, bacon with eggs, buttered toast, batchoy, lomi and wanton noodles. They also have sandwiches like grilled cheese, ham and cheese, chicken and tuna melt with taro chips. These food can be best matched with their drinks! They serve both hot and cold coffee, chocolate and tea. I was surprised to see the prices of the food in their Menu not because they are overpriced but they are actually affordable! Food presentation though is just simple.
The Food
I ordered the Milo Dinosaur, grilled cheese and French fries with cheese. They are just the usual snacks not as grand as any other high-end cafes. The Milo Dinosaur is served in a tall glass with a stick of chocolate wafer stuck on top of the heap of Milo powder. Its sweetness is a perfect match to the salty taste of the grilled cheese and fries. The grilled cheese, on the other hand, is just a simple thin white bread cut into a triangle with the an abundance of cheese in between.
The Ambiance
The vibrance of the murals outside the cafe, the nipa roofing and the hammocks hung around it are pretty inviting. Everything about it is pretty simple. What makes it grand is how it is perfectly tucked in the mountains and how the nature compliments it.
I just love how the food tastes even better no matter how simple is it because of the ambiance. The air couldn’t be fresher in the alfresco set up of the cafe. The breeze is cooler. The view couldn’t be more relaxing. Bacolod City itself has become a breather to me but that morning in Silay City with the the French fries and grilled cheese I was nibbling was an ultimate one.
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| Everywhere in it s a perfect spot to take a photo! |
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| Inside the cafe |
How to Get There
OPTION A:
From Bacolod City:
1. Take a Ceres bus or jeepney bound for Silay City at the North Bus Terminal. Alight at Silay Public Market.
2. Look for the jeepneys around the public market going to Guimbalaon or Sitio Mansiginon.
3. From the drop off point, charter for a habal-habal or triycle that can take you to Duyan Cafe.
OPTION B: The most convenient way to get there and return to the city is through chartering a tricycle in Silay City proper or through a motorbike that can be rented in Bacolod City.
Motorbike rental is at Php 400.00 for a day.
With a private car, Duyan Cafe can be reached in 45 minutes or an hour from Bacolod City depending on the traffic. Another attraction in the city that can be visited after a brunch or a snack at Duyan Cafe is the Ruins which you can actually pass by on your way back to Bacolod City.
So, if you’re looking for a spot to enjoy coffee with a view and a dose of fresh air, Duyan Cafe is the place to be! Would you want to visit it too? What are your thoughts??
