Mapúan Essentials: More Than Just a Cup

By: John Marvin A. Corsino

Graphics by: Alaisa C. Magueriano

Long days and late nights are nothing new for the Mapúan community. Whether it’s for thesis revisions, building scale models, or even something as dull as an ordinary essay about a repetitive topic, we’ve all hit some extremely low lows—specifically in terms of hours asleep. In moments like these, one quiet ally carries students through the fatigue: a cup of coffee. More than a drink, it has become one of the most powerful weapons in any college student’s arsenal against villainous deadlines.

The story of coffee goes far beyond a cup. Across the world, it unites people by energizing, nurturing, and inspiring each and every one. For the Mapúan community, that same story plays out in every shape, form, temperature, or container; coffee as the lifeline that is readily available around our red and gold halls.

Bottled Magic

Before the era of mass production and instant fixes, coffee was an exotic artisan product. It is imported through the water from faraway plantations in Yemen, Java, or the Caribbean, where it was not a convenience, but a ritual. Beans arrived green, requiring hours of meticulous roasting, coarse grinding, and slow brewing, all of which were done by hand.

This rich, dark commodity was considered a luxury and is primarily consumed as a refreshment in social and intellectual hubs populated by men of the upper classes. Nowadays, coffee is almost ubiquitous. In any urban setting, it is highly likely to find two coffee shops within a hundred meters of each other. Modern technologies, however, have ensured that the available coffee products are affordable and easy to carry, yet remain delicious and energizing, such as Kopiko Lucky Day.

As the ultimate grab-and-go solution, this bottled coffee drink is readily available in most convenience stores. Prized for its immediate accessibility and potent caffeine kick, it is one of the fastest ways to get a sugary, creamy coffee fix when you're literally running to your next class or need an instant jolt at your desk. It requires zero preparation, making it a favorite for students who cannot spare a minute catching pesky deadlines.

Convenient Goodness

Apart from bottled coffee products, most convenience stores nowadays offer their signature blends of various drinks. Convenience stores are almost always synonymous with the quintessential 7-Eleven. The minimart giant is a lifeline for most people. Besides being practically everywhere, the convenience store offers a tiered selection of relatively underrated yet delectable coffee.

The store’s hot brewed coffee is a classic choice. Usually available in their self-serve dispensers, its affordability offers a no-frills, hot cup of black coffee for those who need pure, unadulterated energy. There’s also City Blends, 7-Eleven's line of specialty coffee drinks, including lattes and cappuccinos. This slightly fancier, customizable coffee experience, without the cafe price tag, is a certified hidden gem and is perfect for a quick, comforting sip before a long, distressing exam.

Accessible Fuel

For those who need to clutch their bags and run to their next classroom on the opposite side of the campus, stopping by the Mapúa canteen may prove to be a worthwhile detour. The Nescafé store in the university’s cafeteria offers a variety of sweet, refreshing beverages. From various blends of readily prepared iced coffees to uplifting ice cream cones customizable with different toppings, a quick stop to get an affordable pick-me-up will be sure to take your mind off the time, albeit briefly.

The Cardinals Café, freshly brewed just last term, offers an exciting new option for Cardinals. In exchange for slightly less economically priced brews, the café offers freshly baked pastries and comfortable seating for longer stays. Whether to get a quick drink or do some quick catch-up reviews, this spanking new café located right within our red and gold walls is sure to be a must-try.

Sacheted Gold

For any dormer or student who can’t be bothered to go to a convenience store or the campus, instant coffee packets must be your best friend. These powdered coffee mixes combine coffee, creamer, and sugar in one easy-to-carry sachet. All you need is a mug and a source of hot water, and you’ve got a piping hot drink to supply a caffeine spike and leave a sweet taste of guilty pleasure. It is the go-to solution for budget-conscious students who prefer to brew their own cup during late-night thesis defense preparations.

Interestingly, the concept of coffee mixes was born no farther than the Red and Gold University. 3-in-1 coffee packs are a brainchild of William A. Magramo, a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering alumnus. Magramo conceptualized the pre-mixed product during his college days and later proposed the idea to the food and drink giant, Nestlé. Soon, 3-in-1 coffee products emerged in the market, left and right, building upon the work initially conceived by William. What was originally a humble idea for the 1987 MIT Inter-School Science Fair pioneered a new branch into the global multibillion-dollar business enterprise of coffee products.

Coffee is more than just caffeine. It is comfort in a paper cup, resilience in a sachet, and connection in every shared brew. Regardless of where it is bought and how it is prepared, coffee never fails to lift moods and awaken the psyche. Whether it's the instant energy boost from a chilled bottle of Kopiko, the high-value, low-cost brew from local convenience stores, the rustic but charming cups from stalls at the campus canteen, cafés all around the Metro, or the convenient, customizable comfort of a 3-in-1 sachet, coffee is something most will fail to live without.

This World Coffee Day, let’s celebrate more than the drink itself. Let us celebrate what it symbolizes: endurance in sleepless nights, community in shared tables, and innovation that began right here in our university. Because in every cup of joe, Mapúans don’t just find energy—they find resilience.