THE BIRTH OF THE NIGHT CAFE
The team did an interview with Mr. Arturo S. de San Miguel, the city council secretary. As regards to the conceptualization of the Night Café, Mr. de San Miguel answered our questions in behalf of the Cagayan de Oro City Mayor, Hon. Vicente Y. Emano.
One particular question often raised was how the city government came up with the Night Café concept. “It was when the Mayor had a trip in Singapore. He patterned the Night Café from the said country. Streets were crowded with lots of people every night. The Kagay-anons are very fortunate since businessmen from Taiwan and China donated globe lights. Actually, the city government didn’t spend a single centavo in installing those very colorful lights. It just allotted budget for the electricity,” Mr. de San Miguel told the team. “It was great for those people to donate the globe lights. They really look so expensive,” we muttered. “In fact, each globe light costs up to Php150, 000. There are 30 globe lights in Divisoria. Some will still be installed around the Amphi Theatre,” he added.
When was the project started?
The Night Café started through a dry-run with an initial of 40 stalls. It opened in the first week of September. Now, there are 118 stalls. There are even 250 pending applicants waiting for slots in the Night Café but unfortunately, there are only 32 remaining spaces.
A lot of Kagay-anons are very enthusiastic to own a stall in the Night Café. “It’s very easy. You just have to write a letter of intent addressed to the city mayor. There is no fee or payment for application. Stall owners just have to pay Php300 a month exclusive with the electricity,” Mr. de San Miguel retorted. “Considering the large number of stall owners and applicants, why is the Night Café so inevitable?” our team asked. “It must be because of the high income. A stall owner gains up to Php7, 000 per night.”
Based on our interviews, Night Café really magnetizes a lot of visitors. There were even a lot of foreigners spotted eating Filipino foods. There were only few negative views when we asked them. But most people wonder if there are any problems in the Night Café. “There weren’t any problems when it comes to misdeeds. The city government maintains police visibility. The Police Precinct is just near the area, so people wouldn’t dare do any misdemeanor. There were minor problems and incidents but the Police forces were able to control the situation. Mayor Emano even goes to Divisoria to observe the various sights.”
One big problem regarding the Night Café is the urinal system. There are no washrooms for the customers. Fortunately, there will be a construction of public urinals. The city government already started the construction and the customers will enjoy eating and staying.
“Does the local government have any plans for future expansion?” we asked Mr. de San Miguel. “Yes, we do. We have a lot of envisions for the improvement of the place. The Night Café would be extended up to the part in the Amphi Theatre. There would be a night market style. In fact, the block fronting McDonalds is ready for occupancy. And then there will be a traffic re-routing every Friday and Saturday starting at 5:00 p.m.”
Night Café is really unique. Although it was patterned after the other night sites but the aura is simply different. “Night Café is very exceptional. The lights, music, and the place attract different people. Anyone who visits Cagayan de Oro would never want to miss the Night Café. Mayor Emano really had a brilliant idea when he thought of having a project like this. A lot of other city governments are replicating the concept,” Mr. de San Miguel concluded the interview.
A lot of advantages can be grasped but there are no drawbacks at all. Kagay-anons do not just earn. They also enjoy. No wonder why Night Café became an awardee of the Department of Tourism’s WOW Philippines. Night Café is simply unique!