Daniel Padilla finds the perfect blend of life and work

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When Daniel Padilla was first approached to endorse a then-upcoming Cebu-based coffee franchise called Don Macchiatos, it wasn’t the size of the business that attracted him — it was its story. Don Macchiatos, known for offering affordable, quality coffee in the Queen City of the South, had only been in operation for about a year when it tapped the actor to be its ambassador. So unlike most endorsements that find their way to the biggest names in showbiz, either from established Manila brands or well-entrenched global labels, this one began far from the capital — which made all the difference for Daniel.

“Yes, that was it,” Daniel confirmed when The Manila Times Entertainment & Lifestyle asked whether the brand’s Cebu roots influenced his decision to join Don Macchiatos. “They support local beans, which means they support our farmers. That was enough for me. I really love to support local brands.”

Now, it is this clearly intentional partnership that has grown beyond a simple celebrity-brand relationship between the top actor and the now 850-strong chain of specialty coffee carts, kiosks and shops nationwide.

Just last week, Daniel renewed his contract with Don Macchiatos at Shangri-La, The Fort, Manila, in the presence of the company’s top executives, CEO Bethel Jae “Nikki” San Juan, COO Mark Anthony Abangan, and General Manager Ariel Alegado.

The renewal wasn’t just a formal extension, as both sides conveyed. For them, it reaffirmed a partnership, which they are proud to say is grounded on mutual respect and shared values.

“When we first discussed this partnership, I could tell ma’am Nikki and sir Mark were easy to work with, which is very important for me. They’re good people,” Daniel added with that trademark grin that could disarm a room and win anyone over. “Like I said, I’m all for local brands, so I agreed right away.”

What makes this collaboration even more delightful is the playful coincidence that Don Macchiatos’ logo — a barista silhouette — happens to resemble Daniel’s profile. Shown the uncanny similarity by this publication, Daniel simply laughed and said, “I think it’s destiny.”

And with Daniel now very much part of that destiny, the Cebu-based brand, which started only in 2022 with a single iced caramel macchiato flavor, has quickly carved a name for itself in the country’s highly competitive coffee scene. Beginning with one cart in Cebu, the company rapidly expanded in the Visayas thanks to its affordable P39 coffee and strong social media traction.

Looking back, the company CEO credited much of their success to having the right vision and, of course, the right frontman, spreading the word about their product and instantly drawing patrons in.

“When we launched Daniel, we saw a huge boost in franchise interest,” San Juan gratefully acknowledged. “That’s when you know you chose the right person for your business.”

GM Alegado echoed his lady boss’ assessment, eagerly adding, “People came to trust the brand because they trust Daniel.”

Trust is definitely the foundation of every successful partnership, and in this case, it paved the way for Don Macchiatos to confidently expand nationwide. The overwhelming support they received on home ground naturally set the stage for the brand’s growing presence in Luzon and, soon, overseas.

In fact, COO Abangan excitedly announced at the media event that they are set to open a branch in Dubai, having just arrived in Manila on the day of the media event from the UAE. He said they hope Daniel will be present for the launch, which is more than the large Filipino community in Dubai could ask for.

“We’ve been receiving requests from many kababayan abroad to bring Don Macchiatos to them. Most were coming from Dubai, so that’s where we went first,” Abangan shared.

Pressed to reveal the secret behind the brand’s growing success, the executives eagerly shared a simple but effective strategy — keeping prices competitive, ensuring quality in every cup, and fostering genuine connections with the communities they serve. It’s a formula that has clearly worked, setting the brand apart in the middle of the booming coffee culture that continues to sweep across the Philippines.

“We’ve always aimed to keep the price low without compromising quality. We buy raw materials wholesale, which helps us offer affordable coffee while still supporting local farmers,” San Juan explained.

Again, that grassroots commitment is a big part of what keeps Daniel aligned with the brand, especially now that he has also begun investing in his own Don Macchiatos coffee franchises.

“Like in all things, relationships are always important,” the actor reiterated, referring to the company’s owners and their connection with the coffee farmers, their employees, and franchisers. “That’s also the most important thing for me now — friendship and trust — that’s number one.”

Daniel’s words drew an approving silence from the media members, reflecting a remarkable maturity that seems to have deepened since the former Teen King of Philippine Entertainment turned 30 last April — a milestone that has clearly shifted his focus toward more meaningful personal and professional priorities.

Clearly, he’s no longer the teen idol the public grew up watching. These days, he talks about purpose, mindfulness, and the art of finding balance — both in life and, fittingly, in his daily cup of coffee.

“To be honest, ever since I turned 30, I’m awake by 8 a.m., and that’s when I have my coffee,” he shared. “Coffee first, and then I think about what I can do for the day. Unlike before, when I could just stay home all day, I now get restless if I’m not doing anything. I want to be productive. I wasn’t always a coffee drinker, but now, thankfully, coffee is always there for a boost.”

For Daniel, making the perfect cup of coffee isn’t too far from how he’s trying to live his life now. “You grow with all the experiences you’ve been through,” he said. “I think we have more wisdom now and more composure. I can balance everything better these days. And again, I wake up every day with a sense of purpose so that I don’t feel lost. That’s what I want for myself.”

Currently, Daniel is wrapping up his hit action-drama series “Incognito,” which has also shaped his newfound daily discipline. Early call times and intense filming schedules have turned him into a certified coffee drinker — a shift from his younger days.

“I really learned to drink coffee because of ‘Incognito.’ We usually start early at 4 a.m. At first, I wasn’t used to sleeping early and waking up early. But because of my co-stars, especially Tito Ian [Veneracion], who’s really a coffee person, he influenced me to drink coffee in the morning.”

To be sure, the once seemingly distant actor was noticeably more open and at ease during the Don Macchiatos media conference, where he welcomed unfiltered questions and lingered in conversation over cups of the brand’s signature Iced Caramel Macchiato and Brown Spanish Latte.

As such, the afternoon hardly turned out to be the run-of-the-mill brand event — it felt more like a genuine catch-up with someone who has come into his own. More than anything, it showed a Daniel Padilla who is no longer in a rush, who now takes his time to savor conversations and connect meaningfully. Much like life — and a really good macchiato — it all comes down to finding the right balance.