MABALACAT CITY – Celebrate the season of hearts amid the pandemic for the second time around and feel the love this February where romance and passion, art and love come together.
At a time the world needs all the love we can give, let us keep capturing moments and don’t just get caught in a Covid romance. Ignite the subtle senses for your sweetie or celebrate love with your family and buddies. Here’s a guide for you this Valentine’s Day.
Spring date at Cafe B.O.M.
Blooming inside the Clark Freeport Zone, Cafe B.O.M. opened its doors in November 2021. Pulling espressos from Korean coffee brand Lusso, their best sellers include dalgona, hazelnut latte, white mocha, and caramel macchiato served hot or iced.
In-house head chef Ruben David said their food selection is based on Italian offerings from pizza and pasta to breakfast sandwiches. Cafe B.O.M. pastries and cakes are also baked fresh daily through their bakery located at the cafe’s second floor.
With the rise of Korean pop culture, Cafe B.O.M. springs forth its visual aesthetics through its minimalist furniture, art pieces, arched windows, and ambient lighting. It also has an in-house photo studio for customers who’d wish to have their photos taken by their in-house photographers for free.
A perfect day date to set the spark to last through the night.
Located along E. Jacinto St., Cafe B.O.M. is ready to welcome weekend bikers and early risers, from 6:30 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 12 midnight on weekdays.
Bespoke floral arrangements at Villarosa
Of all the loveliest things that come to mind, flowers always do the trick to make your special someone smile. Valentine’s Day always comes at the perfect time with bespoke floral arrangements and sweet-smelling enchantments.
From Ecuadorian roses to Holland tulips, sunflowers and stargazers, Villarosa offers a wide range of imported flowers with customized floral arrangements in its signature premium packaging.
Owner and florist Aida Lazatin said February has always been the busiest for Villarosa. Lazatin said apart from her floral arrangements, her relationship with her clients from her regular customers up to the new ones are what makes Villarosa even more special.
“My customers, some of them I’ve known since they were in college. It’s a different feeling when they come to you during special occasions for their special someone. There are some na pag ikinasal na sila, ako pa rin ang gumagawa ng floral arrangements nila sa wedding. So it’s the relationship that I have with my customers that makes it even more special,” said Lazatin.
Lazatin said she tries to innovate and curate her packaging materials for her floral bouquets as flower arrangement is also a form of art.
“Every year I try to come up with new arrangements, packaging, style, and design. I don’t have one style, even in weddings. My flower arrangements depend on the clients’ preference, their theme or the occasion and event. My arrangements are also customized,” she said. My signature, I think, is on our packaging since we try to innovate something different on how we present our flowers.”
From floral bouquets to a bed of roses, or a box of red ones at that, Villarosa’s fresh flower arrangements start at P750.
You may visit Villarosa at SM City Clark garden park for reservations or visit their official Facebook account. Preorders are preferred via pick up or delivery.
Sweet surprises at Edna’s Cakeland
The month of love also needs the right amount of chocolates and the right amount of cake to go with the right amount of sweetness on your Valentine’s date.
It’s time to indulge in something sweet and let the season of hearts match those sweet tooth cravings. Edna’s Cakeland offers special edition cakes and chocolates from February 12 to 14.
Surprise your loved ones with affirmations on a cake or treat yourself with one. Edna’s Cakeland mini chocolate cakes come with short messages for your crush or special someone. Want to say something funny, witty, or kinky? Too shy to say it, maybe? Write it on the cake.
Let them smash a heart that is made of chocolate and be their only one. Their heart-shaped chocolate shell also comes with a wooden hammer. Assorted chocolates and other surprise knickknacks are also available and customizable upon request.
Edna’s Cakeland also offers assorted chocolate lollies and cupcakes. Their 6-inch limited edition cakes of chocolate, red velvet, and strawberry shortcake are priced at P700 only.
For reservations and preorders, you may send a message on their official Facebook account.
Arthouse at Villa Jose Antonia
Hiding in a quaint, eclectic garden of a Balinese inspired private villa, Arthouse at Villa Jose Antonia is the third branch of owners Didz Manalang with business partners interior designer Juna Dianelo and Kapampangan artist Wing Pingol.
Whether you’re looking for a cozy outdoor dinner date or a casual artsy cafe vibe, Arthouse VJA branch offers the same curated menu at this 2.4 hectare outdoor private villa setting.
“Ang difference lang yung approach but we have the same menu. Since pandemic, al fresco dining talaga. Pwede din ang pets and also kids,” said Manalang.
“Ang vision namin dito sa VJA supposedly all-day breakfast but we decided na mag-collab kami and since we have shared interest in arts as we also plan to conduct workshops, tapos masarap yung food, dun kami nag-decide na magtayo ng Arthouse branch dito,” said Pingol.
“Introduction palang ito, preview palang. We are also planning to add more shaded areas as well as art murals and corners,” Dianelo furthered.
This Valentine’s Day, Arthouse will also offer a four-course dinner for two. Its set menu includes balsamic vinaigrette salad, striploin marbled steak, salmon cream, truffle cream pasta, brownie almond ice cream cake paired with wine for two for only P1,995.
Located at Dinaelo Rofil, Barangay Anupul, Bamban Tarlac, Villa Jose Antonia, Arthouse is open every Tuesday to Sunday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Pets are also welcome.
Dinner date by the lake
Love is in the air, by the lake, and through the open space once again. The Lakeshore has redesigned its open grounds into romantic instagrammable corners this season of love.
Look forward to fresh air and relaxed scenery by the lake whether you go for a picnic by the day or cozy up together under the stars at night. Lakeshore offers a safer way for everyone to celebrate this February in its month-long outdoor set up.
On Valentine’s Day, Lakeshore will also have an evening of live entertainment and a romantic alfresco dining experience. A roast beef carving station will be the main course for the night with salad and pasta stations, chicken, kebabs, fish and tofu, and vegetable gratin with creamy pumpkin soup and pastries for desserts prepared through a managed buffet by De Florence catering services at P1,499 per head.
You may contact 0955 257 3770, 0997 380 0125 or 0905 458 0311 for reservations or visit Lakeshore Philippines on Facebook.
Make Valentine’s Day extra special with simple pleasures and grand gestures. Keep capturing memories and seal it with a kiss. Happy Valentine’s Day!
*All photos by Ric Gonzales
