A famous eatery located just outside the University of Santo Tomas (UST) announced that it will close its doors after 15 years.

Citing the difficulty of getting customers, Heaven's Touch Cuisine announced its closure on a Facebook post.

The establishment's manager and main cook Ligaya Piadoche-Cordova thanked the eatery's loyal customers.

"Sa loob ng 15 years and hinangad ko lamang ay maghain ng mga lutong bahay na abot kaya para sa mga estudyante. Na kahit malayo sila sa kanilang mga magulang ay may nanay na handang maghain sa kanila ng masasarap na lutong bahay (For 15 years, I have only wanted to serve affordable meals to students. That even though they are far away from their home, there's still a mother who's willing to serve them delicious homemade food)," Cordova wrote.

"Na handa rin pakinggan ang mga problema na dinadamdam nila o problema sa eskwelahan kung sakali na kailangan nila magsama ng magulang (Who are also willing to listen to their problems or school-related issues that would require them to be accompanied by a parent)," she added.

In an interview with The Varsitarian, the official student publication of UST, Cordova said the eatery struggled after the pandemic hit, and when face-to-face classes in UST were suspended.

"Sinubukan kasi namin magbukas kaso wala talagang customer e. Tapos sinubukan namin mag-online noon kaso hindi rin ganun kalakas. Syempre sa halagang P70 na food, may delivery fee na nasa P100 plus. Mas mahal pa sa pagkain mo (We tried to open but there were no customers. We also tried to shift online, but almost no one is buying. Our food are only priced at P70, however, a delivery fee would sometimes cost P100, so the delivery fee is more expensive than the food)," she added.

Since the pandemic hit and distance learning was implemented, several food establishments around the university belt have also struggled to operate, prompting some of them to close their doors for good.