Rainy Day Reflections at Wildflour Café Manila.

I spent one morning at Wildflour Café in Manila. It’s one of those bakery, café, and restaurant hybrids that does everything well: strong coffee, warm pastries, and a little bit of comfort with every bite. It’s where you can set up camp for a while, let the day drift by, and people-watch.

I sat outside because it was raining and cool, the perfect weather for one of my favorite pastimes: people-watching. This wasn’t just a light sprinkle, either. There had been a storm in the area, so it was absolutely pouring—the kind of rain that turns sidewalks into rivers and makes you rethink your entire day. But I didn’t mind. I was dry under an awning, lol.

pastries on display at Wildflour Cafe at BGC

There’s something about a rainy day in Manila that slows everything down just enough for your thoughts to catch up.

At my table, AirPods in and iPad out, I just… observed. People eating, chatting, scrolling endlessly on their phones (because, of course), sipping warm drinks, enjoying a meal, or indulging in a pastry. Wildflour makes good ones, by the way. I did a little writing. Thought a little about life. There’s a kind of peace in places like this, such as coffee shops, where time moves a little slower, and the sound of rain becomes your playlist.

I’m 57 now. And depending on who you ask, I’ve either done a lot in my life or not quite enough. My parents, hardworking members of the silent generation, would probably say the latter. They raised five kids, helped send grandkids through college, and even supported the occasional relative in the Philippines. They were disciplined, frugal, and laser-focused.

Me? I’ve taken a different route. I wasn’t as thrifty. I wasn’t as disciplined. Marine Corps training aside, I was more of a “party now, figure it out later” guy. I was not always sure what I wanted out of life, but always looking for something.

Could I have done more? Sure. Made different choices? Probably. But I also know that every misstep, detour, and left turn helped make me who I am today. I’ve learned to be okay with that.

Still, a rainy morning like this makes you think about the what-ifs. The roads are not taken. What if I had said yes instead of no? What if I had chased something harder or let something go sooner? But those thoughts don’t linger too long. Because in the end, this life, my life, is mine. And I’ve learned to appreciate its rhythm, even when it rains.

A couple walk past during a rainy day near Uptown Mall

Two days later, I found myself in another café, a nearby Starbucks in Manila. The vibe was the same, but the scene was different. I guess this is my version of café-hopping. My original plans were washed out thanks to the weather, but I leaned into it instead of stressing.

Sometimes, you’ve just got to let the city slow you down.

There’s a comfort in staying put when everything else is rushing. A full belly, a hot cup of coffee, and the steady sound of rain outside? That’s more than enough.

I suppose that’s the lesson here. I’m not sure if I’ve gotten to where I wanted to be in life, but I’ve done what I needed to do to sit at a café by myself, in my thoughts, to just sit, people-watch, and write about it all.