In a café industry often defined by trends, Hometown has consciously chosen to invest in something more enduring: the stories of people and places.
Through every cup of coffee and every plate they serve, it hopes to remind customers that the best ingredients carry a story worth telling.
How Hometown Cafe Found Its Home in Subic Bay
Long before they opened their first café, RG Medestomas and his siblings spent much of their childhood shuttling between Manila and Subic Bay, where their paternal grandparents lived. The visits were so frequent and routinely that Olongapo and Subic easily became second home.
As they grew older, their travels exposed them to the growing world of specialty coffee. They found themselves lingering in cafés, appreciating not only the drinks but also the communities built around them. These led to the idea of opening a coffee space they can call their own. And where better to set it up than Subic where, despite the area’s growing tourism and residential communities, quality coffee options remained limited.
“At the tail end of the pandemic, we saw an opportunity,” recalls RG. “My siblings and I pooled our savings and, within a couple of months, transformed a small stockroom behind a swimming pool inside Subic Bay Freeport Zone into what would become the first location of Hometown Cafe. What started as a simple passion project has since grown into something much bigger than we ever imagined.”
Hometown Cafe opened its doors in December 2021. And it didn’t take long before it found its audience. Because of the remarkable response, they had to move to a bigger space just next door in February 2024. Then in January this year, they opened their second branch in Quezon City, in partnership with Homebase Garage.
How Local Ingredients Shape Hometown Cafe’s Coffee Program
Though much has changed for their brand, what has remained consistent is their mission. “Hometown’s purpose is to share the story of our hometown,” says RG.
That is evidenced by their menu. Rather than treating ingredients as mere components, Hometown treats them as storytellers by having these cafe staples champion a place, a producer, or a local tradition.
Take, for example, the Zambales Sea Salt Latte, which highlights the Asin sa Buy-o, an artisanal sea salt harvested in Botolan in Zambales. Or the Davao Dark Mocha, which uses chocolate from Auro, crafted from cacao grown in Davao. The Bicol Brown Sugar Latte incorporates sangkaka from Polangui, while the Sarangani Vanilla Bean Latte showcases locally grown vanilla from Mindanao. Their espresso program regularly features beans from Bukidnon sourced through Kalsada Coffee, while specialty pour-overs often spotlight coffees from T’boli, South Cotabato through The Dream Coffee.
Building Excellence Through Collaboration: The Hometown Coffee Approach
Their goal manifests beyond the menu too, as proven by their series of guest shifts, takeovers, and collaborations with local and international brands. These events are organized not merely as marketing efforts, but also as a noble attempt to elevate the coffee culture within the communities they serve.
“These collaborations also serve as an important learning opportunity for our team. I firmly believe that if you want to achieve great things, you first need to understand what greatness looks like. Being around people who have achieved excellence in their craft allows us to learn from their experiences, broaden our perspective, and continually raise our standards.”
In more ways than one, Hometown Cafe has become more than a reference to the place the Medestomas siblings frequented growing up. It has evolved into a philosophy, recognizing that beans are not solely responsible for good coffee, but also the brewing stories that make each delicious cup possible.
Hometown Cafe is located at The Garden by Pacific Ace, Rizal Highway corner Aguinaldo Street, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, and 88 Apo Street, Barangay Lourdes (Santa Mesa Heights), Quezon City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hometown Cafe is a specialty coffee brand that highlights Filipino communities, producers, and locally sourced ingredients through its menu and collaborations.
Hometown Cafe was founded by RG Medestomas and his siblings.
Hometown Cafe is located at The Garden by Pacific Ace, Rizal Highway corner Aguinaldo Street, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, and 88 Apo Street, Barangay Lourdes (Santa Mesa Heights), Quezon City.
The café focuses on telling the stories behind Filipino ingredients by featuring locally sourced products such as sea salt, cacao, vanilla, brown sugar, and specialty coffee beans from different regions of the Philippines.
The first Hometown Cafe branch opened in December 2021 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
