Ama's Blog

Café Ama is proud to present Neo Ioannou as our End of Year Brand Ambassador!

When Neo Ioannou saw what Café Ama and Friends of Puerto Rico do for our island, he was instantly ready to partner up! As a Puerto Rican and Greek-Cypriot New Yorker, the talented performer felt connected to the mission, cultural representation and impact on the community. 

Neo comes from a vibrant family background. His father was born & raised in Cyprus, while his mother is a first-generation Nuyorican. Her parents, Neo’s grandparents, are both from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico and moved to the states in search of the American Dream.

Friends of Puerto Rico has roots in Aguadilla as well, making this partnership feel even more special! 

When asked about the importance of the winter holidays and being our brand ambassador during this special time, Neo said “I love it! Seriously, I think this is one of the best moments to become an ambassador, as this whole time is about giving, loving, and spending time with the people you love. It’s the perfect time!”  

Neo has been a coffee lover since his teenage years! “High school is when I started actively drinking coffee in the mornings. That’s when I was hooked!” 

He drinks all types of coffee! At home it’s either a normal café americano or espresso which a little bit of cinnamon. Every now an then, he’ll whip up a cappuccino or a Greek frappé.  

 Learn more about Neo! 

Neo Ioannou is the creator of The NEO Studio, which offers online private voice lessons, dramatic coachings, and audition/role prep to young professionals and emerging artists.

“I’ve been singing, dancing, and acting since I was three years old. After years of classes and performances, I was accepted into a performing arts high school and then decided that this would definitely be my career."

"I kept training and got accepted into a conservatory-level program, where I did my Bachelors, Masters, and Post-Masters in Vocal Performance. On my journey, I started teaching private voice and finally decided to create my online vocal studio during the pandemic.” 

Faced with the new challenges of the virtual world and the entertainment industry, Neo felt that it was a great time to help students in their vocal journey as they are now dealing with a different set of complications. 

“I would describe myself as passionate and determined. I always try to do my best and give it my all. I like to uplift others and help them live up to their true potential. And I have fun in the process!” 

In celebration of our partnership, Neo has a special discount for the Café Ama and Friends of Puerto Rico community. He is offering 20% off any type of voice lesson with the code CAFEAMALOVE. 

Visit his website, neophytosioannou.com, and use the code upon scheduling your session! Keep in touch with Neo via Instagram, Facebook & YouTube! 

By Angie Gomez

On Friday October 8th, a very special event took place in Aguadilla!

The Friends of Puerto Rico and Café Ama Team prepared for a day full of golf, laughter, coffee and purpose in Punta Borinquen Golf Club. A special thanks is in order to our Gold Sponsors: Ferries del Caribe, Southwest Airlines, Mendez & Co., Suiza, First Medical, CBX Global & Honeywell. Without you, this event wouldn't have been possible! 

Café Ama & Amapola were front and center, with Ismael from O Positivo Café brewing cups of love as guests made their way into the lobby.

Over 70 players attended! With breakfast, coffee and goodie bags in tow, the event began with a few words from our own Angelique Sina, and Julio Roldán, mayor of Aguadilla. 

Throughout the day, the players aimed for a hole-in-one in hopes of winning our grand prizes. With $10,000 dollars, a table full of tech equipment and a brand new car on the line, everyone was on their A game!

We want to highlight and thank the incredible companies that sponsored the 18 holes throughout the course! Thank you to:

1. Island West
2. DollarZing
3. Dr. iPhone
4. Perfumeria Paris
5. ConsPro - BullBond
6. Sherwin Wiliams
7. Comercial Santos
8. Albino Martinez
9. Comercial Toro
10. Universal Properties
11. VIP Safety
12. Las Vegas Aluminum
13. Hogar Némesis
14. AMC Building
15. La Licorera
16. Soto Master Engineering
17. Retail Contractors
18. Pochy Joyeros

Numerous prizes were awarded, from beautiful pieces created by Carlos Valentin to gift certificates for restaurants, flights & even a hotel stay!

Thank you our friends and partners for providing extra goodies: DonQ, Coca Cola, Dr. Tech, The English Rose, Mi Familias Pizza, The Fish, Fundación Superhéroes, Gustavo Rivera, Innovative Education, Center, Inc. & FAP Roofing. 

All in all, we can say that the event was a success! People came together for a memorable experience, with the purpose of creating impact in our communities.

At least 40 news students for the SEEDS Program will have full scholarships thanks to everyone who supported FOPR’s First Charity Golf Tournament!

We hope to see you again next year! 

By Angie Gomez 

Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing! Here at Café Ama, we are excited to learn and celebrate the achievements of the Hispanic community. 

Earlier this week, it was American Business Women’s Day! We chose to highlight several inspiring latinas, from our incredible network, making an impact in their communities and proudly representing their heritage while doing so. They are all true AMIGAS, having participated in different events to help the women entrepreneurs under Friends of Puerto Rico’s AMIGAS program. 

Get to know them and their work, as we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! 

• Yvette Peña (she/her/ella) from AARP  
• Chef Iris Jimenez from La Casita Pupuseria
• Lili Gil Valletta from CIEN+
• Award-Winning author Maritere Rodríguez Bellas
• Jennifer Garcia from LBAN/Latino Business Action Network
• Daniella Senior from Colada Shop  
• Karen Carvajalino, Stephanie Carvajalino & Daniela Carvajalino from The Biz Nation
• Lucienne Gigante from Animus 
• Our very own Angelique Sina from Café Ama Love and Friends of Puerto Rico

For more on the AMIGAS program and future events, be sure to follow Friends of Puerto Rico on Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn, as well as subscribe to the official newsletter! 

While looking for inspiration, we came across Elise Bauer's Coffee Ice Cream recipe! As founder of Simply Recipes, Bauer's creations are a most try. Follow the video recipe to create a Café Ama infused Coffee Ice Cream at home. 

You'll need: 

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups Café Ama whole coffee beans
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 5 large egg yolks
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon Café Ama ground coffee (Bauer suggests to press grinds through a fine mesh sieve)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Café Ama Love 🌺🇵🇷 (@cafeamalove)

 For a plant-based option, check out our previous recipe here!  

Get your golf clubs ready! On Friday October 8th, we'll be heading to Punta Borinquen Golf Club in Aguadilla for Friends of Puerto Rico's first golf tournament. You can join as a player, sponsor or even volunteer. 

This special event will help raise funds for 40 students under FOPR's entrepreneurship programs. 

On Sunday November 14th, Friends of Puerto Rico and Café Ama will be having a fundraiser at Joe's Bar in Chicago! Join The Boricuas of Comedy for a fun night full of laughter, food, gifts and purpose. 

Special guests include Ana Belaval from WGN's "Around Town", Anthony Fuentes from Local Locos, and Jesnaira Baez from Laugh Factory.

When athlete and Olympic gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn took the podium after winning the 100 meters hurdles event, Puerto Ricans everywhere felt an incredible sense of pride.

Hearing the national anthem and seeing the athlete sport the island’s national flower was unforgettable, especially in such a grand event that brings together people from all over the world!

With Café Ama in hand, the team at Friends of Puerto Rico immediately thought of Amapola, founder of Café Ama Love. Named after the beautiful amapola flowers found all over Puerto Rico, one could not help but notice how Puerto Rico’s national flower, the Flor de Maga, looks very similar to the amapola flower.

This prompted us to really understand the difference between the two! 

The Flor de Maga comes from the maga tree (Thespesia grandiflora) and is endemic to Puerto Rico. It blooms year-round and can be found all throughout the Puerto Rican archipelago.  

 Mistaking the flor de Maga for the amapola (Hibiscus phoeniceus) is common, as both flowers are characterized by their beautiful bright petals and are used widely for ornamental purposes.

Despite their differences, these lovely flowers are part of the vast Malvaceae family and standouts in Puerto Rico’s flora. 

Just like the flowers and nature found in our island, the women of Puerto Rico and of Puerto Rican descent, like Camacho-Quinn, are unique and beautiful!

From their spirit, to their drive, talent and passion, Boricua women everywhere inspire us to continue to strive for greatness!

Amapola and the Café Ama Team want to wish you a great International Friendship Day! 

Spending time with the people you care about is priceless, and a meaningful gift can be even more special if it has a purpose behind it. Show your friends how much you appreciate them by sending some Café Ama their way!

Our social impact coffee is made locally in Puerto Rico and its proceeds sponsor women and children in Friends of Puerto Rico's entrepreneurship programs. 

Earlier this week, Ama shared some great gift ideas, including her special Ama Box. Check them out below! 

Gift a Box Full of Love!

Choose a Love Blend and select our Ama Box packaging! You can add a personalized note and include more goodies. A gift that shows love + helps women and children? Sounds perfect! 

Use code Friends20 for 20% off your order!