Coffee Shops as Third Places for Young Filipino Professionals: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis

Document Types

Paper Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Living Culture and Contemporary Societies (LCS)

School Name

De La Salle University Senior High School - Manila Campus

Track or Strand

Humanities and Social Science (HUMSS)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Alemania, Belle Beatriex' M.

Start Date

23-6-2026 1:30 PM

End Date

23-6-2026 3:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

DLSU Manila Campus (In-person) - Don Enrique T. Yuchengco Hall - Y502

Abstract/Executive Summary

This study examines how coffee shops function as “third places”, informal social environments that exist between social environments between home and work, where individuals can socialize, relax, and build community. While previous studies in the Philippines have explored third places such as libraries and public recreational spaces, these settings often face limitations related to accessibility, infrastructure, and spatial constraints. In contrast, coffee shops have increasingly become popular venues for social interaction, productivity, and informal learning. Despite its growing presence, little research has focused on how young Filipino professionals experience coffee shops as third places. Using an interpretive phenomenological analysis, this study employed photo elicitation combined with semi-structured interviews to capture participants’ subjective experiences and interpretations of coffee shop spaces. Through visual prompts and reflective discussion, the method enabled participants to articulate emotional and social meanings associated with their cafe experiences. Findings indicate that participants generally perceive coffee shops as accessible and neutral spaces that support social belonging, productivity, and informal networking, and describe them as environments that can balance work-related tasks with leisure and social interaction. Cafes were also viewed as sites where individuals negotiate professional identity and maintain social connections outside formal workplaces. However, the study also identified barriers to access, including high pricing, commercialization, and social norms tied to cafe culture, which may limit inclusivity for certain groups. Nevertheless, the study demonstrates that coffee shops play a significant role as informal social infrastructures for young Filipino professionals.

Keywords

coffee shops, interpretive phenomenological analysis, photo elicitation, Third Place Theory, young Filipino professionals

Statement of Originality

yes

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Jun 23rd, 1:30 PM Jun 23rd, 3:00 PM

Coffee Shops as Third Places for Young Filipino Professionals: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis

This study examines how coffee shops function as “third places”, informal social environments that exist between social environments between home and work, where individuals can socialize, relax, and build community. While previous studies in the Philippines have explored third places such as libraries and public recreational spaces, these settings often face limitations related to accessibility, infrastructure, and spatial constraints. In contrast, coffee shops have increasingly become popular venues for social interaction, productivity, and informal learning. Despite its growing presence, little research has focused on how young Filipino professionals experience coffee shops as third places. Using an interpretive phenomenological analysis, this study employed photo elicitation combined with semi-structured interviews to capture participants’ subjective experiences and interpretations of coffee shop spaces. Through visual prompts and reflective discussion, the method enabled participants to articulate emotional and social meanings associated with their cafe experiences. Findings indicate that participants generally perceive coffee shops as accessible and neutral spaces that support social belonging, productivity, and informal networking, and describe them as environments that can balance work-related tasks with leisure and social interaction. Cafes were also viewed as sites where individuals negotiate professional identity and maintain social connections outside formal workplaces. However, the study also identified barriers to access, including high pricing, commercialization, and social norms tied to cafe culture, which may limit inclusivity for certain groups. Nevertheless, the study demonstrates that coffee shops play a significant role as informal social infrastructures for young Filipino professionals.

https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2026/BoA_LCS/11