An upside of being quarantined at home for months is that it gives people the chance to turn their hobby into a business. For many, this meant selling homemade food and pastries in their local marketplace.

One of these is a home-based business serving delectable pastries. Sasa Cover, helmed by Honey, is one dainty cafe with a heartwarming story.

During the 2020 “ube craze,” Honey, with a background in pastry making, tried her hand at the classic ube cheese pandesal, which she sold online and quickly became a hit. Through Banilad Marketplace, a buy and sell group on Facebook, Sasa Cover became one of the local’s favorites for quality baked goods.

But what does Sasa Cover stand for? Honey and Jojo Vergara had a daughter named Isabela Rose, also known as “Sasa,” who passed away 24 years ago.

“The love and inspiration of this little angel ignited everything, hence the tagline ‘Baked with Love,’” they said.

So, they poured love into every pastry they made in remembrance of Sasa who lifted the spirits of everyone around her. Cover, on the other hand, is a mix of both parents’ surnames.

What began as a hobby and a way to commemorate Sasa’s life grew into something special. They expanded their menu to include other pastry staples such as cinnamon rolls, ensaymada, cassava cakes, and their take on cream cheese garlic bread.

Jojo, Honey’s husband and founder of Balamban Liempo, cajoled her into opening a brick and mortar restaurant to lift Sasa Cover to new heights.

“Together with their son Jose Gabriel, nieces Psalm Yu and Mitzi Monares,” they said, “Sasa Cover Cafe comprises a formidable and aspiring young team of budding entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and new techniques.”

“The sky’s the limit,” Honey said when it comes to growing Sasa Cover. Certainly, with their focus on creating quality baked goods rather than making a quick buck, this homely cafe is one to watch out for.

Located at Ezone in Kasambagan, Cebu City, Sasa Cover is open to serve from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily except Sundays. It has six seats indoors and another six outdoors.

The cafe accepts online bookings through Lalamove, Maxim, or other delivery services and is looking to be listed on FoodPanda and Grab in the near future.