The Honesty Coffee Shop in Ivana, Batanes is something that has already been popular even before the social media boom. I could still remember how I saw it featured in free television more than a couple of times even before we had our first internet connection. The shop has all the reasons to be popular given its entirely unique business model, which is is simple and straightforward: no one’s watching, you take what you want, you list the item, you leave the payment. Voila!

When we realized that the Honesty Coffee Shop was our next destination after Mutchong View Point, we became very excited. Finally we would be able to see the store, the popularity of which precedes the internet and the business model of which supersedes basic human expectations.

Before exploring what’s inside the shop, we took photos before its cozy front yard.

The interior of the store evokes a countryside sari-sari store, with some signages that add a rustic vibe to the place. With the items for sale inside, it is aptly more of a convenience store than a coffee shop.

The main store which is the one in front has a lot of items for sale, from snacks to fresh fruits, from freshly brewed coffee to sacheted 3-in-1. It sells products that are typical in Filipino stores and ones that are uniquely Ivatan. The store extends to the back where souvenir items are displayed.

We bought some snacks and souvenir items and tried their brewed coffee which was actually good. If you know how Ran and I are both so into coffee, you would understand how hard it is to get our affirmation when it comes to coffee. Apart from coffee though, we did not buy any other food. We feared that we might get too full given that we were approaching lunch time.

When we were done exploring the Honesty Coffee Shop, Kuya Joaquin was awaiting for us to take more photos.

The Honesty Coffee Shop complements all the beauty of Batanes. As if the natural wonders aren’t enough, there is a store in the islands that showcases what is beautiful in the human person. It is a two-way wonder: the trust in human honesty and the act of being honest, at least for those who really understand the bigger-than-life transaction that happens in the Honesty Coffee Shop. More than the merchandise, humanity is served in the shop.

I’m sorry, Billy Joel, but in Batanes, honesty is not as lonely as you described it to be.

Imagine a Philippines pegged on this kind of business model. Imagine a world where honesty is the rule of the thumb. Suntok sa buwan, pero hindi naman masamang mangarap.

By the way, we bought hats. As if the universe conspired in our favor, they were perfect for our outfit theme!

We left the Honesty Coffee Shop with a difference sense of happiness. It may not be like the jaw-dropping natural wonders that Batanes has been treating us with, but in that humble store is a wonder in its own right, something that goes beyond the beauty that the senses can perceive.