With 25 years of experience under her belt, chef Sonja Ocampo has made quite the name for herself when it comes to desserts. Fresh off her training in New York and France, Ocampo returned to the Philippines to open Manila’s first dedicated cupcake store in 2006, simply named Cupcakes by Sonja. It didn’t take long for her Vanilla Sunshine, Lemon Drop, and Red Velvet Vixen cupcakes to become a major hit, each lovingly packaged in her signature little blue boxes. Nearly a decade later, Ocampo established Cakeshop by Sonja for custom cakes, and only now, another nine years since, did the versatile pastry chef reveal she’s got much more up her sleeves with By Sonja: a café and takeaway bakery boasting viennoiseries, pastries, scones, crêpe, and galettes, which are serious contenders to be the best in town. Looking to the future, Ocampo is determined to further broaden her portfolio and surprise guests with every delightful bite.