THE JOURNEY THAT CAME BEFORE

Before building Cusina Lucas, Christian Gonzales spent nearly a decade as a seafarer, learning discipline, sacrifice, and resilience far from home.

His wife, Kleir Gonzales, an Industrial Engineer who later worked in banking, brought a different strength: structure, systems, and organization.

Together, they combined two very different backgrounds with one shared purpose: to build something better for their family

That partnership became part of the foundation of Cusina Lucas, with Christian focused on food, people, and the business, while Kleir helped bring structure behind the scenes.

In 2019, Christian received the kind of news no child is ever prepared for: his mother had been diagnosed with cancer.

He came home to be with her and stepped in to help run her small karenderia. He eventually stopped sailing, used his savings to settle loans and expenses, and found himself starting again from zero.

But starting with little was nothing new to Christian.

So he stayed, managed the karenderia, and kept moving forward while his mother focused on her recovery, never knowing that one of the hardest seasons of his life would eventually become the beginning of something new.

A REASON TO COME HOME

WHEN CRISIS BECAME A CALLING

However, in the midst of an already difficult time, the global pandemic struck in 2020 (that lasted for almost 2 years) — bringing more uncertainty, disruption, and change that no one could have prepared for.

With limited resources and no clear roadmap ahead, he began selling food online. It was a difficult start, marked by trial and error, pressure, and long days. Still, he pressed on, holding on to a simple belief that even in uncertain times, a well-prepared meal could offer comfort in its own quiet way.

(Together with his wife, Kleir, they would personally deliver orders on a motorcycle.)

Then somewhere in the middle of those quiet struggles, a deeper purpose began to take shape.

Cusina Lucas was born from family, faith, and the determination to keep going. Named after his son, Lucas, what began as a simple desire to serve honest, comforting food soon grew into something more meaningful — a brand built around bringing people together through Filipino favorites made with care, quality, and heart.

NAMED AFTER LOVE

(Opening of the Cusina Lucas, restaurant in September 2021 at Talamban Timesquare)

PERSEVERANCE & UNWAVERING FAITH

What started from a small karenderia, uncertain days, and deliveries made on a motorcycle has slowly grown into something much bigger than we ever imagined. Cusina Lucas was not built on perfect circumstances or grand plans — it was built one day at a time, through hard work, quiet prayers, family sacrifices, and the support of people who chose to believe in us.

Every order placed, every recommendation shared, and every family meal spent around our food became part of this story. The customers who supported us during our earliest days, the families who welcomed us into their celebrations, and the community that continues to grow around us are the reason we keep moving forward. Their trust reminds us to keep improving, to stay grounded, and to serve with sincerity in everything we do.

(Cusina Lucas, 2022)

NOTHING BUT GRATITUDE

Today, we continue this journey with grateful hearts. We are still learning, still building, and still holding on to the same values that carried us through the beginning: faith, family, and food made with care. We may not know every detail of what lies ahead, but we move forward with purpose, thankful for every person who has become part of the Cusina Lucas story.

(Cusina Lucas, 2026)

© All rights reserved.