More than a coffee shop

Posted on: October 1, 2025

Written by: Edrian B. Banania

Marianne Agutaya and Moreen Agutaya from Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, stand proudly at MoreDan Coffee’s second branch in Sta. Maria Village. It is a thriving family business built on love, collaboration, and a shared passion for quality.

Marianne Agutaya, 50, embodies the values of perseverance, passion, and unwavering entrepreneurial spirit. Her life is a journey of resilience, transformation, and the determination to create a better future, not only for herself but for her entire family.

A tough beginning

Marianne had to grow up quickly. While many of her age were focused on finishing their studies and discovering their paths, she was already raising a child and working to support her family. With so many responsibilities on her shoulders, she was unable to complete her college degree, managing to finish only up to her third year.

At 16, she took her first steps into entrepreneurship by making her own barbecue food business, and this early exposure to business shaped her business path.

Although she was raised in a family with stable careers, Marianne never relied on privilege. Instead, she chose to carve out her own way through hard work, grit, and determination.

After separating from her legal husband, with whom she had three children, Marianne began a new chapter in life with her partner, Ismael, a man whose talent and passion for cooking perfectly complemented her business mindset. Together, they started a modest food business from home, aiming to meet the growing needs of their blended family, which also included her two children from her previous marriage to Ismael — one in college and another in senior high school.

As support for their income, Marianne opened a small convenience store at home. However, she eventually decided to close it so she could focus entirely on their growing food business. They began preparing rice meals and offering them for schools, companies, and community events. The industry is primarily promoted through online platforms and word of mouth, which has gained momentum quickly.

The birth of MoreDan Coffee

Marianne’s business mindset was passed down to her children, especially her daughter, Moreen Agutaya, 30, who holds a degree in Business Administration. In 2023, Moreen and her husband, Daniel, an IT professional, officially launched MoreDan Coffee, a name inspired by the combination of their first names.

MoreDan Coffee is a family collaboration that blends Marianne’s well-loved rice meal products with Moreen’s specialty waffles, cakes, pastries, and a variety of refreshing drinks, creating a unique menu that reflects their shared passion and creativity.

As a business-minded person like her mom, Moreen first became a client of CARD Bank, Inc., a microfinance-oriented rural bank. She began with a personal loan. For over 10 years, as a client, she has responsibly managed her finances to help expand the business and support her family’s needs.

Afterwards, inspired by Moreen’s clientship, Marianne was encouraged and also became a client of the bank. She currently holds an active loan of PHP 30,000, which she reinvested into the family business and used to support her children’s education and other daily needs.

MoreDan Coffee soon evolved into more than just a café. It became a symbol of family unity and entrepreneurship, offering a well-loved menu that includes rice meals, flavorful drinks, and their signature waffles. Their customer base initially included students from nearby schools. Still, as the business grew, they began serving corporate employees as well, many of whom placed online and advance orders, particularly those working night shifts.

Even amid intense market competition and the effects of inflation, the Agutaya family stayed true to their values. They remained committed to affordability, consistency in quality, and warm, personalized service. These principles helped them earn customer loyalty and solidify MoreDan Coffee as a trusted name in Calapan City’s local food and beverage scene.

Looking Ahead

Thanks to their dedication, life for the Agutaya family has become more stable and comfortable. But Marianne isn’t content to stop there. She now envisions transforming the rooftop of their home into an air-conditioned VIP dining space. It is a dream that would allow them to accommodate more customers and elevate their service.

Today, with regular staff and part-time workers helping with day-to-day operations, MoreDan Coffee has grown beyond its initial vision, built on years of hard work, sacrifice, and family unity.

MoreDan Coffee has grown into a two-branch operation in Calapan City. One in Bulusan, managed by Moreen and her husband, and another in Sta. Maria Village, managed by Marianne herself.

Both branches are open for bulk and advance orders, either for pick-up or delivery. Their customers can reach them and place their orders through their official FB pages @MoreDan Coffee SMV and @MoreDan Coffee-Bulusan.

Marianne and her family’s story is a reminder that success does not happen overnight. It is built on patience, resilience, and a deep love for the work you do. Their journey proves that no matter how humble the beginning, progress is always possible for those who believe in their dreams and dare to keep going.

As Marianne shares, “Venturing into business is no easy feat. You will face countless challenges, but with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.”