When Juve-Joy Bermudo came home from Singapore in December 2024 after 14 years as an overseas worker, her original plan was to open a massage spa. But a quiet encounter with three stray cats that started showing up at her doorstep changed everything.
“They weren’t mine,” Bermudo says. “They just showed up at the house, like they adopted me.”
Three months later, she opened Cuddly Buddies Cat Café, now believed to be the first of its kind in Naga City. Nestled in a three-story building in the city center, the café shares space with a spa and a soon-to-open pet supply shop. It offers more than just coffee and pastries — it’s a free-roaming, feline-friendly sanctuary built on soft landings and second chances.
From Overseas Work to Local Wellness
Bermudo, 36, is a graduate of Ateneo de Naga University. She was already preparing to open a spa when her experience with strays — and a visit to a local cat breeder with over 15 cats — opened a new path. Inspired by Singapore’s community cat care programs, she envisioned a space that could offer a similar sense of safety and dignity, both for animals and people.
“In Singapore, even the stray cats are well-fed and vaccinated. I wanted to recreate a bit of that care here,” she says.
A Holistic, Family-Friendly Space
Cuddly Buddies officially soft-opened on March 28, drawing in curious visitors from Naga and even nearby cities like Legazpi. The café quickly became a hit, especially among students from nearby universities and families looking for a unique bonding activity.
“We were overwhelmed by the turnout, especially during Holy Week,” Bermudo recalls. “There were so many families and students coming in.”
The space has been intentionally designed as a multi-sensory, family-friendly hub. While parents relax at the spa or sip coffee, children can interact with the cats upstairs. Bermudo credits her former business partner — a mother herself — for highlighting the value of this setup: “She said it’s perfect. The dad gets coffee, and the kids play with the cats. It becomes a full family experience.”
Free-Roaming Felines, No Breed Bias
The café currently houses a mix of cats, including Persian breeds from a breeder-partner and rescued puspins (Philippine street cats) — the true inspiration behind the café.
“Those three puspins at home, they’re not even indoor cats,” she says. “They eat, hang around, then leave. But they’re the reason this all started.”
Inside the café, cats roam freely, nap in cozy corners, and socialize with guests. No cages, no restrictions — just a calm, cat-friendly environment. New arrivals like Mary, Tom, and Wesley are slowly adjusting after coming from overcrowded homes.
“Some of them were very shy at first,” Bermudo says. “But once they realized they weren’t confined, they started opening up.”
Cuddly Buddies also takes a firm stand against animal commodification. “We’re open to adoption, but we don’t sell,” Bermudo explains. “I talk to the breeders and rescuers the cats came from and ask if they’re okay with eventual adoption. I’m working on a catalog for this.”
Balancing Business and Boundaries
To manage foot traffic and protect the cats from overstimulation, the café initially charged an entrance fee of P150 for 30 minutes. Bermudo admits feeling conflicted about it, especially when only puspins are around. “There’s guilt,” she says. “Charging people to see common cats — it didn’t sit right with me at first.”
But the fee is essential — it helps cover maintenance, vet care, and cat welfare. Based on feedback, the café is adjusting to a 45-minute session and enforces a break between 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., aligning with the cats’ natural nap times. Operating hours are currently 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with plans to open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. once the school season resumes.
Vaccinations are non-negotiable. “All cats here are vaccinated,” Bermudo says. “That’s something I take very seriously.”
She’s also finalizing house rules to ensure guests handle the cats respectfully. “There haven’t been any scratching or biting incidents, but we need boundaries. You never know when instincts might kick in.”
Community, Not Just Coffee
Cuddly Buddies is more than a themed café. It’s a quiet movement — one built on empathy for animals and care for people. Bermudo’s goal is not just business growth, but fostering a safe space where puspins are not second-class pets, and where families and students can experience calm, companionship, and joy.
“Some customers have said, ‘Don’t put puspins,’” she says with a chuckle. “The cafe is pet-friendly, so there’s bound to be puspins here.”| Neil Mondragon
