Around Town: Precious Moments Restaurant & Gift Shop in Makati

Teardrop-shaped eyes, full cheeks, and ever angelic faces. If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, you would be familiar with these collectible dolls featured in adorable or inspirational scenes. 

After thirty years of existence, the Precious Moments collectible gifts brand continues to stir the heartstrings of many as they come up with even more creative and endearing designs, moving outside the world of dolls and expanding their business.

A Business Built on Loving, Caring and Sharing “Precious Moments is a lifestyle brand,” explains Jojo Sonillo, President of Precious Moments Manila. Sonillo, together with Sam Butcher, the creator of Precious Moments, thought that it was a good time to target the younger generations. 

Sonillo, who has been with Precious Moments since Butcher opened a doll factory and started a foundation in Iloilo to help financially-challenged scholars, is proud of the phenomenal growth that the brand has had since the birth of its collectible club, the Philippine Precious Moments Collectible Club (PPMCC).

 

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“When we started the doll factory in Iloilo in 1984, we produced the number-one selling dolls in the US and in Canada,” he recalls. “[And] during the first year of PPMC, when they started, 640,000 enlisted to become members of the club. And the rest is history. Today, the collectible club has millions of followers [worldwide].” 

In 1989, Butcher opened the Sampaguita Gardens in Aklan, a Christmas-themed resort which houses a gift shop selling Precious Moments items and which helps support local employment.

“We consider our company Christian,” shares Sonillo. “The inspiration is from the day-to-day family experiences of Mr. Butcher. Many of the inspiration for these [dolls] are from the Bible. They’re actually a celebration of life, faith, love and family. [PPMCC] does medical and dental missions, soup kitchens and gift-giving. Also, 10 percent of our sales, we give to our foundation, [the Samuel J. Butcher Foundation].”

Because of Precious Moments’ popularity in the Philippines, the brand even came up with a limited-edition Cory Aquino doll, and collaborated with fashion designer Paul Cabral using indigenous materials such as the pinya cloth for the doll’s gowns. In 2010, they also designed a President Noynoy Aquino doll for his inauguration.

Lately, Precious Moments has started producing dolls in resin and PVC rubber, on top of their porcelain pieces, to make them more durable and affordable. They also come up with designs using carved wood.

 

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Uniquely Nostalgic and a Feast for the Senses

In 2012, Sonillo and Butcher decided it was time they covered the whole breadth of customers’ interests, from food, parties, gift ideas and even coffee. Thus, they opened the Precious Moments Resturants & Gift Shop. Originally located in a house along Laredo St. in Makati, they eventually transferred to Palanan, Makati, to accommodate a growing number of regular patrons. 

“It was actually just through word of mouth [that news of Precious Moments being in Manila spread], because we would keep the dolls up here, and people would order,” remembers Sonillo. “People started to blog [about it].”

Fans of the collectible dolls will be struck by a strong sense of nostalgia just from the restaurant’s façade alone, with a life-sized Precious Moments angel figure standing guard and beckoning customers into the establishment. “We would like to give [our customers] the opportunity to remember the past and to reminisce,” says Sonillo.

The first floor of the restaurant creates a cozy feel as it sports soft pastels through the awning designs rimming the ceiling, the framed illustrations of Precious Moments characters, to the combination of pink, blue, and white furniture. Dainty knick-knacks such as cupcake towers and display cases filled with Precious Moments figurines, white lanterns and floral accents give off the idea as if you were visiting a lovely home in the countryside. 

Having collectors in mind, the second floor is where hundreds of Precious Moments dolls are stored and displayed in gilded shelves and floor-to-ceiling-high cabinets. Every day, especially on weekends, customers come over not only to dine with their families but also to view this massive collection of dolls. “If you want to celebrate a milestone [such as a birthday or a Christening], we have Precious Moments packages. We can also customize dolls,” says Sonillo.

 

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A Pleasant Play on the Palate

 The items being wonderful conversation starters, Sonillo knew that having food available for customers to enjoy while discussing the dolls on display would be a great direction for the business. And the menu offerings, we assure you, are just as precious as their collectibles.

“The funny thing is, [even if Precious Moments is a U. S. brand], we started with Chinese food, but it has now evolved into Asian fusion,” explains Sonillo. He adds that the dishes they initially prepared were primarily Chinese recipes.

But while the restaurant serves predominantly Asian cuisine, they also boast of bestsellers which include the Samburger with chips (P137.50*), a massive 8-inch burger good for as many as four people (or more), with tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, lettuce, and topped with their homemade potato chips. It was named after Mr. Butcher.

“Our servings are really meant for sharing,” explains Sonillo, which make the dishes family-friendly and worth the price, ranging from P230* to P465*. 

“Burgers and pasta sell so well for snacks. The Seafood spinach soup (P230*) that we have here, even kids like it! They call it the ‘green soup’,” Sonillo adds with a laugh, emphasizing how they try to keep the menu as healthy as possible. “We don’t use cheese or cholesterol-heavy ingredients.” 

For those with a sweet tooth, the Precious Moments Café also has mouthwatering fares such as a wide selection of hot and cold coffee, as well as cupcakes and chips. Cupcake flavors include Strawberry, Banana Walnut, Black Forest, Choco Moist, Red Velvet and Orange Calamansi. These desserts go along beautifully with their coffee specials, of which we were able to try the Cookies & Cream (P135*), Macadamia Hazelnut Latte (P135*) and the Cinnamon Spiced Latte (P115*). “We’ll probably add more sandwiches,” says Sonillo. “We will try to venture into comfort food for the café.”

 

*Prices are subject to change

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Designed for Celebrations

Having cemented a following among food enthusiasts and families, the enterprise further ventured into offering catering services. 

“Our biggest [bookings] are for baptismals,” says Sonillo. “That’s why we have baptismal robes for babies and heirlooms. People can order them. We have some samples that they can see. Some are hand-painted, some are embellished, some are beaded, and some are embroidered.”

Because they have a bakery, Precious Moments makes party cakes along with fondant cake toppers. The items in their party packages can also be customized. “If they want an open sandwich or a mini-burger, if they want hotdogs or ice cream, we can do this for them,” says Sonillo.” They also have separate packages for souvenirs and giveaways. 

Up Ahead

Continually growing their business and setting foot on new territory, Precious Moments is ready to further deepen their venture into the restaurant industry. Sonillo and Butcher have plans of setting up a bigger branch in Quezon City.

“This is not only about [selling] figurines but this is [also] about making a difference in the lives of people, in the lives of communities,” emphasizes Sonillo. “Our vision is loving, caring, sharing. It doesn’t matter if we don’t [earn much in profit], as long as we help provide jobs for people.”

Click 'View Slideshow' to see more photos of the Precious Moments Restaurant & Gift Shop.

Precious Moments Restaurant & Giftshop is located at No. 95 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Palanan, Makati City and is open from 9 am to 9 pm, Mondays to Sundays. For inquiries, call (02)887-5252, (02)387-1092, or visit their Facebook page.

 

Photos by Lai de Guzman