CLARK FREEPORT ZONE – A minimalist-themed cafe brewing at any hour of any day, Baguio-based Foam Coffee has been serving early risers to late night owls prowling in the busy outdoor corner of SM City Clark since September 2022.
Owned by business partners Wrylle Angheng and Jerry Abellera, Foam Coffee officially opened its first branch in Baguio City in October 2021. A year later, it has established its brand into a full-blown cafe with a well-accepted second branch at the outskirts of this freeport zone.
“Foam Coffee was a small coffee shop in Baguio that could only accommodate 15 people at a time, ” senior barista Miguel Pangan recalled.
Pangan shared that the idea to transition both branches into a 24/7 coffee shop started when they opened their second branch in SM Clark. They have since seen the demand grow as they are surrounded by professionals working in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. While the Baguio branch is near Burnham Park has also reached its own market from the tourists.
“Foam Coffee started yung 24-hour set up in Clark. Since malapit tayo sa BPO companies, sila yung pinaka target namin. For Baguio branch, since it’s like a tourist spot also, based on my experience doon, kahit closed na kami around 12 midnight, a lot of people talagang pinupuntahan pa din kami kaya 24/7 din kami sa Baguio,” said Pangan.
“For me, isa sa mga naging contributor ng growth ni Foam ay ang customers talaga namin. At the same time, dahil na rin sa tulong ng mga employees. They made Foam Coffee more bigger and mas kilala pa,” he added.
Foam Coffee offers a variety of beverages from coffee staples americano, cappuccino, and latte to several signature drinks such as Black Sesame Latte, Strawberry Tiramisu Foam Latte, and their best seller, Foam Signature Latte. They also offer sparkling fruit ades, iced teas, and non-coffee based lattes. Strawberry Foam Latte is their other best seller.
“The foam in Foam Coffee is our secret recipe. But it is plant-based so those who are requesting to substitute the milk, they don’t need to worry. We also offer decaf since most of our customers, yung mga nagtatrabaho sa BPO, naghahanap ng decaf.” Pangan noted.
Apart from the beverages, Foam Coffee also offers Japanese and Korean meals such as Omurice, Katsu Curry, Korean Bulgogi Tapa, and Bibimbap. Pasta dishes include Masala, Bulgogi, and Gochujang pastas. Grilled cheese sandwiches, Hungarian Chili Dog, and fries on the side are also available on the menu.
For desserts, freshly made premium donuts by Glazed Artisan Donuts are also available. Their Creme Brulee donut is also a must-try best seller to pair with.
Pangan mentioned that Foam Coffee also plans to expand its growing coffee shop by adding its third and biggest branch as they also look forward to roasting their own coffee in Baguio City soon.
“As of now, we are trying to open our third branch in Baguio. It will be our biggest Foam Coffee branch. Bale kami na mismo ang magro-roast ng sarili naming coffee. Wala pa kaming date pero ongoing na ang expansion. For San Fernando, we are ready to open since marami din ang mga nagpapa-Grab (delivery) at nagre-request na magtayo din doon. So sabi namin, why don’t we try pero focus muna now sa third branch in Baguio,” Pangan said.
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the ground floor of SM City Clark Skyline, Foam Coffee catches the niche of those who are looking for caffeinated kicks from the wee hours of the morning upto the hush coffee calls of the night.