Taft Avenue in Manila may already be littered with specialty café, but one sets itself apart with a different kind of quiet and unique service, courtesy of the deaf waitstaff.

Helping Hands Café, home to baristas and servers who are members of the differently-abled community, is owned by Lorie Anthony Ortiaga, also known as Teacher Kim.

Ortiaga said his decision to put up the café is rooted in his friendship with Erica, his deaf classmate from elementary. He later went on to pursue a degree in BS Special Education major in Teaching Children with Hearing Impairments.

He left Antique for Manila, where he taught special children. A heart attack, however, set his dreams of being a special education teacher in a big school on hold, but he chose to help them in a different way.

Helping Hands Café now serves food and refreshment to mostly university students, including athlete Ian Lariba, who is heading to the Rio Olympics.

Leonard Aldrin Apostol, one of the excellent waitstaff according to Ortiaga, said serving the speaking crowd is "simple," and Ortiaga commends him for always serving with a smile.

Ortiaga said patrons not only would be able to spend time with friends, but also learn a thing or two about sign language and "help other people as well."

Apart from their unique serving atmosphere, visit Helping Hands Café for their bestsellers, nachos plate and four seasons float.

They are located at Manila Residences Tower 1, Taft Avenue, Manila.