By Lorenzo Lambatin Jr.
BACOLOD City – Aside from being widely known as the City of Smiles, this city is also home to the first-ever bunny cafe in the Philippines.
Situated along the highway of Barangay Tangub this rabbit-inspired “Mr. Bunny Café” has a festive ambiance with its lavish but charming design in a little over classroom size niche.
And as you may guess, caged rabbits and their unique food are the main attractions but the rabbits are not necessarily on the menu.
“I first bred rabbits in 2014 before I went to work in Korea,” its young entrepreneur owner Michael Oligo said.
“Someone told me it is bad luck to keep rabbits as pets which I didn’t believe,” he added. On the contrary, he turned that myth around to win more than 20 national and local prestigious awards over the years.
In addition to that are multiple citations from reputable national and local institutions. The latest of which is the MM’s Bunny Café PH ( an alternative name) for being the “Best Pet Café in Bacolod City” given by the Philippine Finest Business Awards 2023.
Three times he won consecutively as the champion in the much coveted Rabbit Fashion Show in the Visayas in the years 2017, 2018, and 2019.
His fascination for this hobby did not stop there as he also needed to earn as much as he accumulates honors.
People visit the place for its food, drinks, and children who pet rabbits together with their parents.
Native coffee comes first on the list and is the selling hot drink. Cold beverages like iced coffee, and fruity milk tea are also in demand.
Customers can binge on its hunger buster club sandwich made of ham, lettuce, homemade spread, and veggies.
Nachos fries are also high on the list having chips, veggies, ground beef, and signature sauce. There are other drinks and food to choose from at reasonable prices.
Oligo said they are not fast food. “Good food takes time, everything we serve is made to order,” he clarified.
The busiest hours are from 3:00 pm until night time.
In this year of the rabbit, you may want to visit Bacolod City. If you do, pass by in this burrow to quench your thirst or fill your tummy.
Be a part of the county’s bunny cafe history and bring home loads of fun and selfies. That… will definitely give you a big smile. (PIA)
