City Cafe’s Next Gen Besties: Darren Espanto, Cassy Legaspi, and Miguel Tanfelix Share Their Coffee Moments

For Gen Z, coffee is more than a drink—it’s part of everyday life. Darren Espanto, Cassy Legaspi, and Miguel Tanfelix show us how City Cafe fits perfectly into fast-paced routines, from morning rehearsals to spontaneous hangouts. With laughs, memories, and favorite cups in hand, every coffee run becomes a little moment worth remembering

Coffee isn’t just a drink for Gen Z. It’s a companion, a quick boost, and sometimes the spark for unforgettable memories. Darren Espanto, Cassy Legaspi, and Miguel Tanfelix know this well. As the newest faces of City Cafe’s Next Gen Besties campaign, their love for coffee is as real as their friendship.

For Darren, Cassy, and Miguel, being part of this campaign “didn’t feel like acting at all,” Darren shares. “It’s just who we are.” That natural energy carries through every coffee sip, every laugh, every little moment that makes life sweeter on the go. Cassy and Miguel even joked about wanting their own standees in 7-Eleven, just like Darren’s.

Cassy remembers seeing Darren and Miguel bond over coffee long before this campaign. “Miguel has always loved his coffee,” she laughs, “and Darren too. I remember during a stopover from a long trip,  he bought us coffee. It just became part of the adventure.”

Darren describes his friends in coffee terms. “Miguel is like brewed coffee, matapang, strong, kaya kang ipaglaban". Cassy? She’s Spanish Latte, sweet and comforting whether iced or hot.” Miguel adds, “Darren is Spanish Latte, perfect balance between bitter and sweet, while Cassy is French Vanilla, full of energy that pops.” Cassy sums up, “Miguel is brewed coffee, mature and intellectual vibes, and Darren is Mochaccino, everybody’s go-to, loved by everyone.”

Their coffee choices match their personalities. Miguel loves brewed coffee for the kick that powers him up. Darren enjoys caramel or hazelnut syrup for a cozy morning ritual. Cassy sticks to French Vanilla hot or iced for a quick refreshing boost. “City Cafe is very accessible, always there in every 7-Eleven, just like your bestie,” Darren notes. “Straightforward, affordable, and uncomplicated.”

The trio also shared one unforgettable moment—a spontaneous trip to Tagaytay. Just the three of them, watching the sunrise together before heading back to Manila around 7 a.m. “That’s the kind of coffee moments we love,” Cassy says. Small, simple, yet unforgettable, these are the memories that make a coffee run feel like more than just caffeine.

City Cafe’s Next Gen Besties campaign celebrates friendships, shared laughs, spontaneous adventures, and the everyday moments that make life brighter. For Darren, Cassy, and Miguel, every cup is a memory waiting to happen.

“City Cafe isn’t just coffee—it’s part of everyday Filipino life,” says Armi Cagasan, Strategic Merchandise Division Head of 7-Eleven Philippines. “From early mornings to late-night coffee runs, we want every cup to feel familiar, comforting, and fresh.”

Available in 7-Eleven stores nationwide, City Cafe has become a go-to for students, young professionals, and anyone looking for a reliable cup on the go. Each cup is freshly brewed using quality beans, with options ranging from bold hot coffee to refreshing iced drinks, perfect for the country’s warm, fast-paced days. Seasonal offerings like Banana Latte and Matcha, along with promos like 2+1 Coffee, add a fun twist to everyday coffee runs.

For Valerie Gayle Uy-Timan, Marketing Communications Division Head of 7-Eleven Philippines, the campaign is ultimately about connection. “Darren, Cassy, and Miguel each bring something unique, but together, they represent a dynamic that feels real - friends who genuinely enjoy each other’s company. That’s what we want City Cafe to be a part of, those simple, everyday moments that turn into something memorable.”

Through Next Gen Besties, City Cafe celebrates the small, meaningful rituals that make life sweeter: quick coffee runs, spontaneous hangouts, or laughter-filled catch-ups between classes or errands. “We want young people to see City Cafe as their everyday coffee companion,” adds Uy-Timan. “A cup that’s always there to give you a boost, share a moment, or turn a quick break into a memory.”

For this generation, it’s not about where you drink coffee, it’s about who you’re with and how it fits into your day. Sometimes all it takes is a quick stop, a shared cup, and a few minutes in between to turn an ordinary moment into something worth remembering.