The Chocolate Kiss Cafe in UP Diliman closes permanently on August 23

The Chocolate Kiss Café at the Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman is now among the iconic businesses to bid farewell due to the unfortunate economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 23-year-old well-loved café will be closing its doors permanently on August 23, as announced in their website, through a bittersweet message penned by Ina Flores-Pahati, one of the owners and daughter of its co-founder Maline Flores.

In her farewell message titled 'Goodbye Kiss,' Ina reminisced about the humble beginnings of The Chocolate Kiss Café and all the good memories they will forever treasure.

“We didn't know our lives would be changed when my family opened The Chocolate Kiss Café. I was a grade-schooler then, and the year was 1997.

“My mom and aunt, founders of the Café and both UP alumni, decided to take the leap with their home-based cake business with the humble intention of giving the UP community a new dining experience, and an alternative to college canteens.

“I recall the first few weeks when we waited in anticipation for each customer to walk into the glass door. When there were none, we'd put on the soundtrack of Sleepless in Seattle on the CD player, and voila! They would soon come trickling in.

“Every now and then we'd spot UP's popular personalities and VIPs, then later, celebrities, government officials and other public figures.

“It always amused us how a couple all tidied-up for a date would be in the same dining room as folks (who just lived around the corner) dressed in their pambahay and tsinelas. People felt comfortable to come as they were, and we loved how it was that way.

The owner of the Chocolate Kiss Café also explained in her farewell message how the enhanced community quarantine has impacted their business and what's next for them after the closure.

“The Café has always relied on high volume in sustaining its operations. The losses already incurred since the start of ECQ, and the prospect of not being able to operate at full capacity for an indeterminable period, has led to this difficult decision.

“We are deeply grateful for all the customers who have shown their support for The Chocolate Kiss Café for many years.

“Thank you for trusting us to be part of your lives' special, as well as everyday moments. Thank you for gifting our cakes to your teacher, best friend, or crush. Thank you for inviting your loved ones over, even if they considered a drive to Quezon City a field trip!

“You brought our dining room to life. What a blessing indeed to be warmly embraced by the UP community.”

“Just as my family's life was unexpectedly changed for the better when the Café opened 23 years ago, I wait in anticipated breath for the best fruit to come out of this pruning.

“In the meantime, we will go back to our roots of baking cakes...and who knows where that sweet road may lead us.”

Although The Chocolate Kiss Café will be closing permanently, customers may still order their cakes and pastries online through their website.

And for those, who want to taste their favorite meals from The Chocolate Kiss Café one last time, such as their Chicken Kiev and Hickory Smoked Spareribs, their kitchen will be open until August 23 for orders and pick-up at their Fairview Commissary.

After which, their menu will be reduced to only desserts, including their much-loved Devil's Food Cake and Dayap Chiffon Cake.

Aside from The Chocolate Kiss Café, other popular restaurants have also closed shop after suffering great losses during the pandemic, such as the Shangri-La Finest Chinese Cuisine Restaurant in Quezon City and the Century Seafood Restaurant in Manila.

For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

And for updates on the Coronavirus Disease pandemic and the enhanced community quarantine, visit GMA's COVID-19 page and ECQ page.

You can also check out other businesses that have closed due to COVID-19.