Daniel Padilla’s AM routine: Meditate, caffeinate
Daniel Padilla wasn’t much of a coffee drinker—that is, until his costars got him hooked. Now, he can’t start his day without a cup.
At first, it was just for the energy boost. He’s not calling himself a slouch at 30, but the engine doesn’t rev up as fast these days, so to speak. And a kick of caffeine wouldn’t hurt, he figured, especially now that he’s filming “Incognito,” a physically demanding action series.
“We start work 4 a.m.—parang buhay sundalo. I’m not used to sleeping early and getting up early. But lately, I’ve started drinking coffee, thanks to my friends, like Ian (Veneracion), who’s an actual coffee person. I feel more energized,” he said at his recent contract renewal with the Cebuano coffee chain Don Macchiatos.
So how does coffee fit into his current morning routine? On taping days, Padilla starts by meditating for at least 10 minutes upon waking up. Being physically fit is a given, but he also makes sure to get into a healthy mental space before the long hours ahead.
“What we do in ‘Incognito’ is no joke. I have to prepare myself for everything I have to do. Once I start working, I just keep going. I can’t stop, otherwise the momentum will die down,” he told Lifestyle.
“So I meditate, drink coffee, and then go rock and roll the rest of the day,” added Padilla, who now wakes up with a clearer purpose in life. “That’s important so you don’t lose your way…With all I’ve been through, there’s more wisdom now. I know myself better.”
Go-to drinks
The more he drank coffee, the more he came to appreciate it not merely as a pick-me-up, but also for its taste. Americano and mocha quickly became his go-to drinks. “I like the classics,” he said.
Padilla has grown to enjoy it so much that he even has it on slow or free days. “I wake up at 8 a.m. and have coffee right away. And then I think about what I can do for the rest of the day,” he said.
Usually, that entails visiting his family and loved ones, or checking on his businesses—a barbershop, an amusement park, an entertainment venue, restaurants, and more.
“When I was younger, I could just hang out at home all day without doing anything. Now, I can’t stay still. I get restless when I’m not doing anything,” said Padilla, adding that longer breaks often inspire him to explore new places around the Philippines.
“When I don’t have to work, I take off my artista hat and just chill,” he said. “Byahe, explore—there are so many beautiful places to see. And we don’t even have to go too far.”
Founded by chief executive officer Nickie San Juan and general manager Ariel Alegado, Don Macchiatos began in 2022 as a modest streetside kiosk near Southwestern University in Cebu City, offering inexpensive iced caramel macchiatos which clicked with students. Before long, Don Macchiatos expanded across the Visayas and Mindanao, with kiosks and stalls popping up in more locations.
Hoping to open in Luzon, the brand tapped Padilla as its celebrity endorser last year. At the time of the partnership, Don Macchiatos had around 600 branches nationwide that have since increased to almost 1,000. Soon, Don Macchiatos will open its first international branch in Dubai.
Beyond the booming coffee market—and the enthusiastic social scene around it—another thing that drew Padilla to the brand was its commitment to using local coffee beans. “We want to champion Filipino farmers,” he said.
“It’s interesting to see these communities and crowds that are really into coffee. It’s nice to see people who can talk about it all day.”
