Exclusive: Dissecting Café Sirius Dan with Cyrus Dan
Coffee, curiosity, and culture—all in the heart of Metro Manila. A deep dive into the hows and whys of this meaningful, art-centric café
Words and Photos Gab Padilla
March 10, 2025
Inside Café Sirius Dan
📍 492 Halcon Extension, Mandaluyong
Cyrus Dan Cañares, the owner and creative force behind Mandaluyong’s art hub, Café Sirius Dan, has lived many lives—from globe-trotting adventures and teleserye writing to photography and design. But what he’s best known for is his exceptional work as a textile and furniture artist. What began as Travelfund by SiriusDan has since evolved into the rebranded and refreshed Studio SiriusDan.
Getting Brewed
Beyond his passion for design, Cyrus’ love for coffee shops was shaped by years of traveling as a cruise photographer. For him, the best way to capture the soul of a country is by stepping into its local cafés and simply watching the world go by. In these spaces, strangers become stories, cultures collide, and creativity brews alongside coffee.
Inspired by this melting pot of community, curiosity, and culture, he created Café Sirius Dan—a reflection of both his artistic eye and his love for meaningful spaces.
As an artist, Cyrus envisioned his café as a creative extension of himself—visually, emotionally, and culturally. He saw coffee and the café as a bridge between coffee lovers and creatives. And so, the slogan “Coffee, Culture, and Other Curiosities” was born, perfectly capturing what the space stands for.
Stories, Scars, and Souls
"I love the vibe and the atmosphere."
For Cyrus, building his café was a labor of love—one that took nearly three years to truly feel like home. Its interior became a living collage of his life, filled with mementos from his travels, keepsakes from childhood, salvaged scraps from old homes, and countless other pieces, each carrying a story of its own.
The café’s curation is deeply personal. Cyrus scours flea markets and vintage shops, seeking out pieces with character. “I don’t like buying new items. I love scars and imperfections. I want a story—or to add to it.” Each item must have a soul, and as an artist, he breathes new life into them—whether through painting, repurposing, or simply giving them a place to belong. At Café Sirius Dan, nothing is just décor—everything has meaning.
The Sirius Dan Experience
Step in from the bustling streets of Mandaluyong, and you’re instantly transported into a serene, intimate space. With vinyl playing in the background and moody lighting setting the tone, the café is a nostalgia lover’s dream—artsy, inviting, and full of character.
In our exclusive conversation, Cyrus shared the stories behind some of his favorite pieces—each holding a memory, a moment, or a touch of his creative journey. Here are a few of his treasured finds:
The Bookshelf
The café’s bookshelf holds books collected from Cyrus’ travels, spanning art, cinema, fashion, literature, and more. He made it a tradition to buy a local book from every country he visited, keeping them as personal souvenirs. From James Joyce in Ireland to Gabriel García Márquez in Colombia, each book represents a place and moment in time. Now, they sit proudly in the café, free for customers to browse as they sip their coffee.
Wong Kar-wai Poster & Cinema Chair
Cyrus watches In the Mood for Love (2000) every year—a film he deeply admires, not just for its plot but for its signature style and visual storytelling. What resonates with him most is Wong Kar-wai’s journey—from being a graphic designer to becoming an acclaimed director. This path feels personal to Cyrus, as he envisions a similar creative evolution for himself.
His love for cinema led him to an old theater chair he discovered on Marketplace—an unexpected find that fit perfectly into his café’s corner, adding yet another layer of character to the space.
At Café Sirius Dan, every detail tells a story. Whether it’s the scent of freshly brewed coffee, the crackle of a well-loved vinyl, or the imperfect beauty of salvaged furniture, the space invites you to slow down, look closer, and savor the magic of things with history.
