It looks like a typical Filipino sari-sari store that sells coffee, candies, biscuits and all sorts of snacks, even souvenir items.

But, nobody is around to entertain customers.

The store is owned by Elena Gabilo, a former public school teacher at the Ivana Elementary School. She opened the store in 1995 after her retirement. When the port of Radiwan closed and operations were transferred to San Vicente port, the store sales went down. Since then, she decided to concentrate on farming and helping her husband with their cane vinegar production. She opted to continue the sari-sari store operation but because her presence was needed on the farm she left the store unattended.

Visitors are free to roam around and take whatever they want. Each item has a corresponding price tag and honesty dictates that you pay the store what you owe – by listing the item in a logbook and putting your money in a drop box.

Located near Ivana Port, the Honesty Coffee Shop is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.