“SO BAKIT HINDI NYO SINAWAY AT FIRST? HININTAY NYO PA MAG STAY SILA SOBRANG TAGAL. MALI NYO DIN EH” We said yes when they asked if they could take videos — because at Haku, we always welcome customers who want to share their experience with us. We love seeing people enjoy our drinks and desserts, and we truly appreciate those who help share our story online. But what we didn’t agree to was this kind of full-on film set. There was no formal notice, no coordination, not even a simple heads-up that they’d be bringing lights, tripods, and a full crew. They simply said they’d be taking a “short video,” so we thought it would just be like what most customers usually do. As shown in these photos, our staff politely approached them several times — reminding them not to disturb other customers, to lower their volume, and to clear some space. But each time, they said “last shot na po, konti nalang matatapos na.” Unfortunately, that “last shot” lasted almost four hours — during our peak weekend hour. (3:40PM-7:45PM) Their setup — with lights, tripods, and several people both inside and outside — made a lot of customers uncomfortable. Some hesitated to enter, others left early because they couldn’t move freely or felt awkward dining beside a filming crew. To be honest, that day we didn’t even reach our breakeven. They spent around ₱1,550 for drinks but occupied the entire café (inside and outside) for almost FOUR HOURS on one of our busiest days. It may not seem like a big deal to some, but for small cafés like ours, every seat, every sale, and every weekend matters. And to clarify — hindi nagkulang ang staff namin. They did their part, and they did it with so much patience and professionalism. Ilang beses silang lumapit, nagsabi ng maayos, at nag-remind, pero lagi ang sagot ay “last shot na.” Our staff didn’t want to cause a scene, especially since we’re just a small local café trying to maintain a good reputation. But it’s disheartening to see that in the end, we’re being blamed for something we also struggled with and tried so hard to control properly. They chose to handle it calmly because at the end of the day, those people were still customers — and our team only wanted to maintain peace and respect inside the café. This post isn’t made out of anger, but as a reminder: If you plan to film or shoot in a small café or local business, please communicate properly. Ask permission clearly, coordinate, and be mindful of others using the space. We may be small, but our efforts, time, and boundaries deserve the same respect as any big establishment. We always try to be kind and accommodating — but kindness shouldn’t be mistaken for permission to disrupt. At the end of the day, we’re just a small team doing our best to serve everyone with warmth and care. Please, be considerate to local cafés and small businesses who work so hard just to make every day count. — The Haku Cafe Team - @thehakucafe.ph