Long before it earned a spot in the Michelin Guide, Aurora restaurant began as a homage from a son.
UST Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina said the Makati dining spot was not conceived as a for-profit business, but as a way to honor a mother whose name, memory, and passion for cooking define the restaurant.
Divina said Aurora restaurant came out of two closely linked motivations. As a lawyer, he often hosted clients over meals, leading him to envision a dining space that could function as an extension of his office.
He also wanted to honor his late mother, whom he credits for shaping his values.
“We came from a very poor family,” Divina told the Varsitarian. “But my mom, out of love and affection for us, was able to cook magical dishes with the most basic ingredients.”
That dual inspiration influenced both Aurora’s concept and its location. The restaurant opened on Feb. 14, 2024, at the lobby of Pacific Star Building in Makati, which also houses DivinaLaw, the law firm founded by Divina.
The name Aurora, Divina also explained, is both personal and symbolic. It represents dawn — a symbol of new beginnings and his first venture beyond the legal profession.
Aurora’s culinary philosophy, according to Divina, is anchored on celebration and care. This mindset treats each meal as a meaningful occasion, reinforcing the belief that food is best enjoyed when shared with family, friends, and loved ones.
“Every dish that comes out of our kitchen is done with love. We consider our customers as an extension of our family, an extension of the office,” he said.
Although positioned as a fine-dining restaurant, Aurora weaves Filipino culture into its offerings by using locally sourced ingredients, such as bangus from Dagupan and longganisa and meats from Bacolod, complemented by select imported items like steaks and oysters.
The menu follows a Pan-Asian direction crafted by its chefs, with dishes undergoing tastings and final approval before reaching diners.
Divina said maintaining consistency remains the restaurant’s biggest challenge, emphasizing that repeat patrons ultimately decide the success of the dining experience.
“Whether they’re foreign or local, we try to give the same experience,” he said.
Aurora, among the 74 restaurants in the Philippines listed in the Michelin Guide 2026, is aiming to earn a Michelin Star in the years ahead.
“Being in the Michelin Guide is a wonderful, tremendous accomplishment,” Divina said. “But we’re hoping to get the star next year.”
Beyond Aurora, Divina has also established Norlando’s, an all-Filipino, mid-market restaurant named after his father and located at Eton Tower on Dela Rosa Street in Makati. In contrast to Aurora, the bistro centers on Filipino comfort food inspired by his father’s cooking.
Plans are afoot to open an Aurora branch at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, he said.
