BAGUIO-BASED Sophia Real Estate Executives and Development Corp. (SREEDC) has signed a 15-year lease agreement to open a themed café at Camp John Hay, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said on Thursday.
The café will occupy a 500-square-meter site in the John Hay Special Economic Zone — a 625-hectare business and tourism hub managed by the BCDA.
It is expected to enhance visitor experience in John Hay, spur local economic activity and create jobs in construction, hospitality and day-to-day operations.
Signing the agreement recently were BCDA President Joshua Bingcang and SREEDC President Donna Mae Ame, witnessed by SREEDC Director Man Sik Jang, corporate secretary Analiza Intuya, John Hay Management Corp. Director Kristoffer Lee Dance, and BCDA Vice President for Investment and Promotions Erwin Kenneth Peralta.
Camp John Hay, formerly a United States military rest and recreation facility, has been redeveloped into a mixed-use zone that hosts business process outsourcing companies, hotels, convention centers, retail establishments and leisure facilities.
With a cool mountain climate and a forest cover filled with pine trees, John Hay combines economic activity with ecotourism, making it a strategic location for investment, recreation and sustainable development.
It has been diversifying the ecozone’s portfolio of commercial and hospitality establishments.
“Our goal is to build a stable investment climate that empowers our partners to succeed. By aligning with our Master Development Plan, this project brings a fresh dimension to the camp, further establishing it as a world-class tourism hub where nature and leisure meet,” Bingcang said.
“We are very excited to embark on this journey with BCDA and JHMC,” Ame said.
Other food establishments that have recently opened at John Hay include:
Rebel Bakehouse at Bell House, a pastry shop and in-house library located in the historic Bell House Library. It offers a quiet space for reading paired with coffee and artisanal pastries.
Hay Diner, a French-inspired, retro-vintage American diner near the Grafik Hotel. It serves country fried steak, fluffy pancakes and its signature S’mores Latte.
Pugon by Amare, a wood-fired pizza and heritage-themed restaurant and café concept by the founder of Amare La Cucina. It offers old family recipes and unique items like “isaw pizza.”
Choco-Laté de Batirol, which serves traditional Filipino hot chocolate in a garden setting.
As of March 2025, investments in John Hay have reached P1 billion since BCDA regained control of the estate.
This year, its target is P10 billion, BCDA said.
