Love and Business: A Couple's Journey from P200 to a Thriving Restaurant
In the coastal town of Moalboal, southwestern Cebu, an inspiring tale of love and entrepreneurship unfolds. Venus and Venz, an LGBTQ+ couple, have transformed their humble beginnings into a flourishing restaurant, Ven's Kitchen, located in Basdiot. Their story began in late 2015 with an online friendship that quickly blossomed into a deep relationship. At the time, Venz was working in Malaysia, while Venus served as a hospital pharmacist in Davao. By November 2015, they made their relationship official, and just four months later, in March 2016, they took a bold leap by opening a small four-table eatery.
Starting from Scratch with Grit and Trust
Moving to a new town without relatives or connections, the couple relied solely on their determination and mutual trust. "It was risky," Venus admitted in an online interview on February 12, 2026. They were navigating the complexities of building a business while learning about each other, knowing that failure in one area could jeopardize the other. However, as Venz noted, "as we go along, we learned how to give and respect each other." This foundation of respect became crucial as they faced numerous challenges ahead.
Creative Beginnings and Menu Evolution
Starting with a karenderya-style setup, the couple infused creativity into their venture. They gave playful names to their dishes, such as calling coconut milk chicken "Snow White" and orange-glazed chicken "Chicken with the New Orange." From an initial offering of 10 dishes, their menu expanded to around 30 items. Venz took on the role of head cook, drawing from family recipes, while Venus managed administration and also contributed to cooking. Together, they reinvented Filipino cuisine by introducing vegan and vegetarian versions, aiming to elevate local food traditions.
Overcoming Adversity: Pandemic and Typhoon
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Ven's Kitchen saw steady business, with lines forming outside by 5 p.m. However, there were difficult days when they were down to their last P200. "At that time, I told him, 'Let's just trust and have faith,'" Venus recalled. The pandemic in 2020 brought further hardship, and in 2021, super typhoon Odette devastated southern Cebu, forcing them to close their restaurant. "When we let go of our small restaurant, we thought that was it," Venz said. But Venus added a hopeful perspective: "When you close something, it doesn't mean it's the end. Sometimes it's redirection."
Rebuilding with Faith and Resilience
Using their last savings, which they called their "final dance," the couple constructed a new restaurant made from bamboo and indigenous materials. They reopened in October 2022, just five months after starting the rebuild. "If you're at rock bottom," Venus reflected, "there's nowhere else to go but up." This resilience not only saved their business but also strengthened their relationship. "Love story begins when the business begins," Venus emphasized, highlighting how their personal and professional lives grew intertwined.
Navigating Conflicts and Finding Inner Peace
Conflicts inevitably arose, but the couple learned to handle them with understanding and compassion. Venz shared, "When she has a tantrum, instead of getting angry, I see the child behind her. I hug her." They turned to meditation, prayer, and supportive friends to maintain their bond. "We don't need validation from other people," Venz stated. "The happiness is from within us." This inner peace helped them publicly embrace their identity as a couple, with Venus vowing to no longer hide their relationship.
Growth and Community Support
From operating with just the two of them and occasional help from their daughter, Ven's Kitchen now employs about 13 staff members. Remarkably, some workers waited for the restaurant to reopen after the pandemic, demonstrating loyalty and community support. "They never gave up on us," Venus said gratefully. Looking back at their struggles, including the days with only P200 to their name, they view these experiences as part of their history—proof that faith, patience, and love can transform scarcity into abundance. If they were to title their story, they already have one: "Table for two: plated with passion."
