about us - BoNa Beginnings
BoNa began when a well-traveled young couple embarked on a lifestyle change. Luis Gonzalez and Candace Schmidt are born entrepreneurs, artists and educators on a mission.
Luis, a true coffee lover, wished he could bring into our part of the world the way coffee should be done. First of all, he wanted a consistently good cup of coffee in Manila. More than that, having enjoyed not just the coffee, but also the ambience and attitude that true coffee houses have in Venice, Milan, Paris, even Seattle and Vancouver, he resolved to bring it home. He determined to bring back soul into the coffee industry, envisioning coffee enclaves conducive to great conversation, where ideas and possibilities are born. Candace lost 42 pounds in six months due to exercise and a low-fat, low-calorie diet. Together, Luis and Candace had gotten trim and fit and now the problem that confronted them was one that confronts Manila today – where can you find good, delicious and satisfying food that won’t undermine your health?
Luis and Candace found good coffee hard to find. And when they did find good coffee, the sandwiches served were stale and dry, the pastries too sweet and the frappuccinos over the top with calories and fat grams. Salads were wilty, and free wi-fi wasn’t free. What to do? Why not change coffee history in Manila? These two adventurers decided to change the coffee landscape and embarked with their flagship store in BF, Parañaque. Even before its grand opening in November of 2006, BoNa Coffee Company had garnered a loyal following. BoNa Coffee Company is the result of a passion for great coffee and good food, and is now ready to take it’s gospel to the world – you can drink well, eat better and be healthy for it.