Cafe Via Mare’s early patrons are feeling saddened, expressing a sense of separation anxiety as they reminisce about dining there since its inception.

Via Mare Greenbelt 1 branch will close its doors by the end of March.

They lament the impending demolition of the iconic building and the lengthy wait for its replacement.

“We feel really sad; it’s like separation anxiety for us. We’ve been dining here since it opened.”

Despite being classified as an Important Cultural Property due to its design by National Artist Leandro V. Locsin, Ayala Land petitioned the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to remove the Greenbelt 1 building from the list.

Since the 1980s, this branch of Cafe Via Mare has been celebrated for its Filipino culinary offerings, pioneering the concept of a truly Filipino café and serving beloved dishes such as Bibingka, Puto-Bumbong, Pancit Luglog, and Dinuguan. | via Dianne Bacelonia