BY: JOBETH BEJASA AND ASTELBE SALATIC (BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY INTERNS)
A small hole in a wall along the road in Barangay Pico is catching the attention of passersby, but it’s not just an ordinary hole—it’s the counter of a one-of-a-kind café.
At just 22 years old, Samantha Edoc opened her first business with a unique concept: customers order and receive their coffee through a small opening in a wall.
The idea, inspired by popular vloggers and international trends, quickly became a hit online and in the community.
“This is my own version of a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ café, inspired by vloggers who are transparent about their business journey. I wanted to do the same,” said Edoc.
The café’s unusual setup has attracted curious customers. Some visit purely out of intrigue after seeing it online. “I saw it on social media, and since it’s close to where I live, I decided to check it out. It’s really different,” said Jennilyn Pulon, one of the customers.
Despite opening less than a week ago, the café already enjoys steady foot traffic. Edoc shared that starting the business was not easy.
The money she and her boyfriend saved was lost to an investment scam.
“That experience pushed us even more to start the business. We had to recover from the loss, and this café became our hope for a fresh start,” she added.
While she initially studied nursing, Samantha knew deep down that business was her passion. “This is really what I want. I want to be in control of my ideas and how I earn,” she said.
Her story is a testament to how creativity, resilience, and determination can turn even the simplest ideas—like a hole in a wall—into a source of inspiration and success.
