For over a decade, Perene Cakes and Pastries has been quietly but consistently baking its way into family celebrations. Known for its indulgent yet thoughtful creations, the brand. formerly Café Perene, is recognized for its cakes that not only taste good but feel like home.

This holiday season, this café introduces two new limited-edition creations that perfectly capture the spirit of Filipino celebrations. “Our Ube and Bibingka Burnt Cheesecakes are more than desserts. They are a celebration of Filipino culture, heritage, and traditions,” shares Business Development and Commissary Manager John Rebaldo.

At the heart of these new releases is the team’s dedication to elevating cakes while honoring familiar flavors. The Ube Halaya Burnt Cheesecake is a beautiful marriage of texture and flavor—smooth on the palate, balanced in sweetness, and made with real ube halaya. “The flavor and creaminess are perfectly balanced. You don’t know where one flavor starts and ends,” describes Founder and Head Caker Mary Jane Rebaldo.

The Bibingka Burnt Cheesecake, on the other hand, brings nostalgia with every bite. Baked in banana leaves and topped with cheese, salted egg, and a side of muscovado and fresh coconut shreds, it captures the comforting warmth of Christmas mornings. “It’s as real as it can be, both visually and tastefully,” adds Mary Jane.

Perfecting both flavors took the team about three months of research and testing to meet their standards, with another month to ensure consistency in process and design. “A recipe is never owned by one person,” she reminds. “There’s always a lead, but it takes a team to complete one.”

Perene’s commitment to quality is one of the reasons its cakes have earned a loyal following. “What makes our cakes special is that they’re truly homemade,” says Marketing and Operations Manager Hana Rebaldo. “We don’t use preservatives or extenders—everything is baked fresh and crafted with care, just the way you would make it at home for the people you love.”

This sincerity is reflected in every cake they make, from their new Filipino-inspired creations to long-time bestsellers like the Nutella Cheesecake, a rich, layered dessert that has been a customer favorite since 2015. Their Basque Burnt Cheesecake and Carrot Walnut Raisin Cake have also remained staples, striking that comforting balance between indulgence and familiarity.

Even as Perene continues to grow with 11 branches across Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City, Manila, and Antipolo, the brand remains grounded in its family values. Many of its staff members have been with the company since its early days, trained from the ground up and treated like family.

“Most of our senior store personnel were part of the crew from our first restaurants. In 2023, the company sponsored a triple wedding for three of our most senior crew members who started with us as young adults, now have families of their own. It was attended by fellow employees, ended with a reception in one of our restaurants. It remains as one of our most memorable events in the company,” Mary Jane proudly shares.

Just the perennial flower that inspired its name, Perene continues to bloom and evolve. Its rebrand from Café Perene to Perene Cakes and Pastries shows its growth and highlights their specialties on cakes.

“Our cakes are meant to be enjoyed as gifts, for celebrations, or simply to make ordinary days special,” Hana adds. “We want every interaction to feel thoughtful and memorable.”

And because Perene believes that every milestone, big or small, deserves something sweet, they’ve introduced a loyalty card program that rewards repeat customers with a free mini cake after several purchases. It’s a small gesture of showing how much they appreciate their loyal customers.

“While cakes are at the heart of Perene, we offer so much more. We have full-service restaurants where guests can enjoy comforting meals, and kiosks that serve as quick cake-and-coffee stops for those on the go. For special occasions, we create beautiful dessert tables and can even customize spreads or cakes based on a customer’s vision,” shares Hana. “And no matter where you find us, one thing is constant: our warm, homey customer service. We want every Perene experience, big or small, to feel personal and thoughtful.”