A Homegrown Choreographer’s Go-To Baguio Cafes

What do you get when you mix Coffee and the art of Dancing? Clumsiness, I assume. But that’s not the case when it comes to this homegrown Baguio Choreographer, Dance artist, and head of Tentative Dance Crew, Keanu Allen Carig. From traditional cold brew, pastries, and meals, he has considered local cafes around town to be his second home. Just a slight point above the dance studio.

Heartfelt Conversations Over Coffee

Over a cup of Soychata and a plate of Chicken Empanada at Common Ground Cafe, I shared a short yet healing conversation with some of his sentiments when it comes to working while enjoying life and dancing. 

What is the challenge when balancing an 8-5 with dancing?

“Dance, Rest, Work, Priorities – yan talaga ang kelangan ma-achieve”

Time management. Kasi if you want to work and dance right after, maco-compromise talaga health mo. You need to be disciplined.

What are your goals when you dance? Is there something deeper than that besides looking cool?

It’s deeper than just being cool. It’s an escape sa reality– if I’m dancing, parang nasa iba akong realm. I want to help yung mga artists na nagstru-struggle (through my craft). Di lang siya for my own goals. Na makatulong sa passionate na dancers without compromising priorities. Sa pag balance nang work, sa school, sobrang hirap nun eh. Because I’ve experienced that myself. 

What has been your past work experience while balancing dancing?

Being a Barista at Starbucks (before being a Virtual Assistant). Since I became one, di ako maka-dance. Totally. 

Di siya good pairing. You’ll be staying in the cafe full-time, and the work there isn’t just mixing beverages. You’ll do everything. Connecting with people, dealing with shitty customers, cleaning the cafe, etc.– and di mo rin magawa gusto mo. But it isn’t as bad because it taught me a lot (career-wise and connections).

Top Cafe Choices in Baguio for Keanu Carig

Common Ground

6 Gen. Lim St, Burnham, Baguio, 2600 Benguet

The top pick in local homegrown cafes in Baguio City for Keanu. Ideally because of the ambiance that it gives, and how they prepare the coffee. Not too sweet, and still gives you a hearty punch of caffeine. From the selection of cold brews, hot coffee, and fruit-infused blends.

Dabang Coffee

11, Escoda St, 1st Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet

A pick for Keanu because of its wide selection of food and Korean-infused flavors and mixtures.

First Things First | Laundry & Coffee

Ground floor, DPS Compound, 2608 Commercial Building, Upper Session Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet

Another pick by Mr. Carig because of its accessibility for laundry, designated workspaces, and coffee. The space still makes it easily on his list for convenience.

Special Mention: Starbucks Reserve

SM City Baguio Sunset Terraces, Luneta Hill, Upper Session Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet 

His go-to order at Starbucks has to be White Mocha, Breve, no water, and Americano. Dubbed The Barista Drink

What Influenced you to become a Barista?

The salary. Kasi I graduated as an HRM student. I went first to this five-star hotel, applied, and asked for the salary. They said it was five thousand per month…….. a five-star hotel. Starting pay. Sinong mabubuhay doon?  

Tapos I asked my cousin at the time kasi he was a supervisor at SB, tapos tinanong ko yung pay. It’s good naman compared to that. Like fifteen-thousand. Tapos Starbucks, (not to mention) like the Branding, diba? Factor din yun.

Has there been a reason why you’ve got hooked on lounging in Cafes?

I still feel at home sa Cafes. Working (at cafes) is very tiring. Now that I am out of the company when I go to coffee shops, I feel rested or at peace. When I choreograph, I go to Cafes. I drink coffee to be focused.

What’s the best piece of advice that you can give to a person?

This has been my mantra, ever since my Dad died last year. Tinuro siya saakin– the way he explained it was that there are two things in life-

“It’s like you’re playing a PlayStation game, using the controller that’s not working–”

The other one is what you can control, and the other is the one you can’t. Focus on the one that you can control. 

– as a dancer that feels like quitting?`

Never stop. There are no shortcuts. Kelangan mo ma-immerse sa culture, matututo sa foundations, join competitions, and support events. If they don’t know you, they don’t see you (as an artist or dancer). That’s the real shit.

“Kung gusto mo talaga, it all starts here (at the heart)”