Food
“TOWARDS GREATER things” is the English translation of “Maiora,” the name of a humble Filipino-Italian restaurant that used to serve as a home base for queer couple, Ghil Chua and Alex Lingcoran, and a sanctuary for its patrons. While the diner’s doors may have closed last November 4, Maiora Bistro will always be remembered as a safe haven built on a solid foundation of pride, love, and community. Its allure stems not just from its delicious food and inviting atmosphere, but also from its animated presence— adding an appealing splash of color to Katipunan’s achromatic landscape.
Ad Maiora
“Ghil, try natin (Ghil, let’s try)” were the words Lingcoran used to convince her partner Chua to pursue the latter’s dream of starting up a restaurant and practicing her craft as a chef.
The couple met in 2017, having shared each other’s ambitions since that fateful year. It soon became Chua’s goal to hone her passion and skills in all things cuisine overseas, while Lingcoran had first aspired to work for the Philippine government. However, when they stumbled upon a Facebook posting of an old restaurant up for sale, they saw a golden opportunity to make Chua’s dream come true.
“Maiora came as a lightbulb moment,” Lingcoran shared. She always saw it as more than just a place where Chua could chase after long-held aspirations but also a chance for the both of them to grow as a couple and support one another—come what may. Maiora was to be their second home: a place where they could live their lives without judgment.
Despite the bistro’s distinctiveness as a queer couple-owned business, their goal was truly to focus on Ghil’s starting career as a chef rather than just their sexuality. Initially, Lingcoran simply wanted to serve the food that Chua prepared and seasoned with love, eager to introduce people to her partner’s cooking on top of the pleasant space they offered.
When asked about what went into their menu, Chua shared, “[We were] originally thinking of a pasta bar,” as motivated by her interest in cooking up meals that include a labor of love: pasta, bread, pizza, the whole works. However, they realized that their surroundings were peppered with schools, with students who could not exactly afford the premium grub that would have been on the menu. In turn, Lingcoran and Chua answered back with—in their words—“makamasa food (budget-friendly food).” The result of that mix, then, is Maiora’s unique take on Italian-Filipino-Spanish cuisine: rice meals, pasta, and hearty mains. Balancing these delectable offers were a refreshing variety of delicious drinks, from classic coffee to refreshing sips.
Eventually, Maiora evolved to become a display of their successes and failures as individuals in their careers and was indeed a step toward greater things as a working couple. Running Maiora for a year has ascended from a mere livelihood to their very life. Despite the abundance of competitors in Katipunan, Lingcoran and Chua shared that something sparked in them when they set foot in the area, a reassurance that this space was something they could call theirs.
Close to the hearts of the community
What began as a humble queer-owned bistro in Katipunan has since blossomed into a vibrant community. Maiora extends beyond its harmonious cuisine fusions; it has become a “third home” for its customers, a place where countless stories—not just those of Chua and Lingcoran—unfold within its walls. Each moment spent there holds meaning, fostering an atmosphere where every visit feels truly worthwhile.
For the couple, maintaining such a safe space came with its own challenges. They took care of their customers, reassuring them that they not only understood the struggles of the queer community but also shared those experiences themselves.
In Maiora, customers are free to express their true selves, whether through writing in the bistro’s public journal or speaking directly with the owners. As Lingcoran put it, “You want to talk to someone? Nandito kami (We’re here for you).”
Maiora takes great pride in building strong bonds with its customers. Having experienced the impersonal nature of many cafés themselves, Chua and Lingcoran noticed that interactions often felt purely transactional. These typically began with an order and ended as soon as it was paid for, leaving little room for meaningful connection.
Recognizing this gap, they decided to infuse Maiora with the warmth and personal connection they longed for. The staff are trained to greet everyone with a sincere smile and exude a comforting atmosphere through genuine interactions and efforts to get to know each customer, with the couple leading by example. Names are remembered, conversations are revisited, and customers feel seen and valued. “Nagsisimula iyan sa smile eh (It starts with a smile),” Chua shared.
Through simple exchanges of smiles, they are able to strike up small talk and form connections with customers, fostering a sense of familiarity. These interactions often spark word-of-mouth, with Chua recalling one customer humorously describing Maiora as a “pyramid scheme.” This never-ending cycle of one friend inviting another to dine at Maiora has enabled the bistro to grow organically through personal referrals.
Maiora has become a welcoming haven, strengthening relationships and empowering queer communities to gather together. Through its partnership with The Sunny Club PH, the bistro has embraced the sapphic community, growing together in an environment of support and inclusion. They hosted a variety of daytime events, offering activities such as painting, book clubs, mystery-solving, and movie nights, creating opportunities for connection and creativity.
Additionally, the owners encouraged guests to honor the dearest and most important people in their lives by opening Maiora as a venue for private events, with a maximum capacity of just 16 people. This has become one of the most memorable aspects of Maiora, allowing the bistro to witness the powerful bonds of love and connection between the customers. Many leave these dining sessions feeling closer to one another than ever before. With this, Chua and Lingcoran discovered the secret to these private gatherings: the intimacy with the people around you.
Leaving a Legacy
Just as in tragic melodramas, even the closest, most loving relationships often reach an inevitable end. While these endings may ultimately lead to comforting resolutions, the journey toward closure can be an emotionally taxing one.
Maiora eventually found itself in such a narrative when Chua and Lingcoran learned last July that the contract for the compound where they operate would soon cease. In the face of this looming closure, they held onto hope, seeking a contract extension to rewrite Maiora’s fate and keep their vision alive for a bit longer.
However, as much as they wanted to keep going after just a year of operations, the contract situation was ultimately beyond their control. Maiora’s fate was sealed when they posted an official announcement on social media, revealing that the bistro was down to its last 35 days. As that final countdown unfolded, the inevitable occurred on November 4—Maiora closed its doors for the time being.
While Maiora’s future remains uncertain, Chua and Lingcoran are taking time to recover from the emotional toll of the closure process. “For now, I just want to rest,” Chua expresses. With plans to travel, they hope to gain fresh perspectives on how businesses operate in different places, reflecting their deep entrepreneurial drive.
Maiora may be on an indefinite break, but its owners will not let this time go to waste. They plan to use this period to expand their business knowledge, intending to create a successful “Maiora Version 2.0,” as many of their loyal customers have envisioned for its future. Wherever the future takes Maiora, its legacy as a welcoming, inclusive space is sure to leave a lasting mark.
Chua and Lingcoran built Maiora as more than a bistro, but also a gathering spot where customers felt valued and supported. The warmth they exuded transcended simple transactions, creating more personal and meaningful relationships. This connection between the owners and their patrons was about more than just serving good food—it was about an experience of sharing stories that brought people together in a memorable way.
Standing With Pride
The values that Chua and Lingcoran hold dearly have continuously shaped Maiora into what it is, even in the face of its untimely closure. The strong community that has formed around Maiora in such a short time attests to how the space was filled with love, warmth, and pride.
The bistro will surely leave a significant void within the community, as it has become a cherished place for those wanting to satisfy their fusion cuisine cravings, a companion to those longing for genuine connections, a comforting retreat for those needing a pause, and, most importantly, a safe haven for anyone looking for refuge.
While Maiora’s future still hangs in the balance, it is certainly directed toward greater things. Despite its disheartening departure, it leaves a lasting legacy, as the stories and memories shared within its corners will live on. It may be vacating its physical location in Katipunan, but the impact it has imprinted on the local community will always remain standing tall and proud.
