NOVELETA, Cavite — A small restaurant in this historic town known as the “Town of Heroes” is serving more than traditional Filipino comfort food.
Sunflower Table, opened Nov. 14, 2025, by Patricia Francisco, 40, and Dane Angkiko, 57, offers what regulars say is an exceptional version of bulalo — beef marrow soup — while providing a welcoming space for all in a traditionally conservative community.
The LGBTQ+ couple sees their restaurant as a statement on acceptance and inclusivity.
Francisco graduated cum laude in mass communication from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 2007 and competed in Binibining Pilipinas pageants in 2004 and 2007. Angkiko formerly worked as a NASA engineer in Maryland and served in a U.S. military company.
Despite different backgrounds, they united around creating a space connecting food, community and personal stories.
Their signature dish, Bulalong Noveleta, distinguishes itself from typical bulalo through what customers describe as deeper, more balanced flavors. The clear broth emphasizes the natural beef taste, owners say.
Located in Barangay San Rafael-III, the restaurant offers an alternative to traveling to Tagaytay for bulalo while maintaining quality, according to the owners.
“For us, Sunflower Table isn’t just a business. It’s our ‘eat happy here,'” Angkiko said, describing the restaurant as a space for balance amid their real estate work.
The name references sunflowers turning toward light — symbolizing acceptance, equality and authenticity, the couple said.
Francisco and Angkiko married at Metropolitan Community Church in Maryland, a congregation known for affirming LGBTQ+ relationships.
Their tagline “Eat Happy Here” reflects their mission to create a place where food, acceptance and joy converge, they said.
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