Kanta, Dabawenya! at Tala Café – A Celebration of Music, Art, and Community

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of not only being a guest but also a featured performer at Kanta, Dabawenya! — a beautiful night of music and artistry held at Tala Café in Buhangin, Davao City. Together with my bandmate Meghan Yap (Trashbunk), we performed as a duo for the first time at this special gathering, which was part of Tiangge sa Tala, a two-day event showcasing local merchants, creatives, and musicians.

The Story of Tala Café

Tala Café is more than just a coffee shop — it’s a cultural hub built on memory, creativity, and connection. Named after the late Davaoeño poet and writer Tita Lacambra Ayala, who often signed her works as “Tala,” the café embodies her warmth, curiosity, and celebration of art. It was founded by her family and has since become a safe space where music, poetry, and conversations flourish.

On a personal note, Tala Café holds a deeper meaning for me. One of its organizers and baristas, Zyl Banzuelo of Evastar, is an old close friend. Zyl is not only a guitarist for the band but also a co-producer and composer for their EP The Astronaut’s Diary (Volume 1). To witness him, his wife, and their family carry forward this cultural vision is both heartwarming and inspiring.

Tiangge sa Tala – The Market Experience

Before the performances, the café was already alive with the colorful energy of local merchants:

• GENCO Pizza – serving up slices that felt both homegrown and indulgent.
• Thalia’s Ninangs – hearty comfort food infused with local love.
• Laser Cat & The Friendly Katto Shop – quirky, feline-themed treasures; I couldn’t resist buying a cat pin!
• Leoniee. Arts – handmade art pieces that brimmed with personality.
• Crystals by Crystal – spiritual and shimmering, each piece felt like it carried energy with it.
• KAIA – plants and greenery, a refreshing touch that made the venue feel even more alive.
• Ethereal Handcraft – delicate handiwork showcasing patience and skill.
• Cheska’s Tavern & Chuy’s Thrift Shop – preloved fashion and finds that spoke to sustainability.
• Ramekins – ceramics and kitchenware that blended practicality with art.

It was a true feast for the senses, and I walked away with a set of stickers and that cat pin as little keepsakes of the day.

The Performances

Music filled the walls of Tala Café that evening, each performance bringing its own unique flavor.

Me & Meghan Yap (Trashbunk)
We opened the night with covers from The Sundays, The Cranberries, Mazzy Star, and Taylor Swift, setting a warm and familiar tone. The intimate setting allowed us to directly interact with the crowd — a mix of friends, family, and curious listeners — making the performance feel more like a shared conversation than a staged set.

Ingrid Barcelona
Ingrid followed with her graceful, percussive guitar style, covering Up Dharma Down, Taylor Swift, and Sabrina Carpenter. Her voice carried an elegance that paired beautifully with her rhythmic playing, creating a heartfelt, layered sound that resonated deeply with the audience.

Monique Labor
Then came Monique, a seasoned musician with a disarming presence. Having performed since 2010 under various bands and projects — including her solo work as Gloriamaris — she brought both charm and wisdom to the stage. Her set was a shift in mood, sweet yet grounded, reminding us of how art can connect people in its simplest forms.

Anne Mendoza
I’ve been a fan of Anne for years, especially her original compositions. She began with a moving cover of La Vie en Rose before transitioning to her originals, including my personal favorite “Space Walk.” Her songwriting feels like stargazing — simple musings that somehow capture vast emotional universes. Sharing a stage with her again felt like a true privilege.

The Surprise of the Night – Joey Ayala

Just when we thought the evening was winding down, the legendary Joey Ayala himself graced the café as a special guest. Known as one of the pillars of Filipino folk and world music, Ayala has been an unwavering voice for indigenous instruments, environmental consciousness, and cultural storytelling since the 1980s.

His short but powerful performance was mesmerizing — each lyric felt like a story, each note carrying a piece of history. It was impossible not to be drawn in, and for a moment, the entire room seemed to breathe as one.

After the set, we even had the rare privilege of sitting with him, listening to his insights and stories. It felt less like a “lesson” and more like being let in on a living tradition.

Closing Reflections

Kanta, Dabawenya! was more than just a gig; it was a celebration of artistry, community, and cultural continuity. To perform, listen, and share space with such diverse and talented musicians — all while being surrounded by Davao’s creative entrepreneurs — was truly special.

Tala Café has once again proven itself to be more than a café; it’s a cultural heartbeat of Davao City. And as long as its doors remain open, the spirit of “Tala” — of warmth, curiosity, and connection — will continue to thrive.