Conchita Toribio Delos Reyes: Inspirational Story on GMA's ‘Powerhouse’

 From rags to 22 luxury cars, a sprawling estate plus about two dozen prime properties and an international business. This is the story of Conchita Toribio–Delos Reyes featured in an stimulating episode of GMA-7 “Powerhouse”, which puts the spotlight on houses and lives of inspiring Filipinos.  On it, Ms.Conchita Toribio, Che to family and friends, shares the secrets behind her success which started with a dream and a beauty soap.

 A daughter of a labandera and a kartero, Che Toribio vowed early on to overcome grinding poverty armed with nothing but great religiosity, a knack for business that she showed at an early age, hard work, determination and singleness of purpose. 

Che Delos Reyes started to give shape to her dreams at age 14 by selling fruits and vegetables in the market in her hometown in Bohol. The family then lived as squatters, now euphemistically called informal settlers, in a shack that was soon demolished. Rendered homeless in Bohol, Conchita’s mother brought the grieving family to Cavite where an uncle runs a modest furniture shop. The uncle agreed to shelter the desperate relatives from Bohol and Che Toribio Ordonez offered to repay the kindness by helping manage the furniture business. But then this furniture shop went out of business. The now fully grown Conchita Toribio was not one to give up her dream. She faced up to the challenge by doing odd jobs.  She went back to selling vegetables. She sold kitchen utensils house-to-house.  She solicited insurance. Then she discovered the beauty product industry.

It all started with the whitening bath soap Beauche, which comes from the phrase "beautiful Che." Che Delos Reyes, who is no mean looker herself, made up the name to demonstrate that her beautifying product indeed works on her.  In other words, she offered herself as brand model not only to save up on costs but also to show that the product is so good the maker uses it herself.   The venture into beauty soap making had a measly P20,000 startup capital.  But the venture grew and expanded into other lines of beauty products. Beauche International now exports to countries such as the United States, Canada, UK, etc. 

Che Toribio Ordonez and her family now resides in a 1,000 square meter property in Cavite. She lived with her husband, her five children and their families. The three-storey property has a couple of unique features that Conchita Toribio Delos Reyes, herself picked out: a ceiling made of Antique wood from Isabella, her treasured Swarovski chandelier, and a collection of royal glass from Italy. In her Cavite mansion, she holds parties for her investors which is why this house has multiple living rooms.

She, like any other women, is fond of beautiful things. Shopping is a luxury she can afford. Christian Dior, Louie Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel are just some of the designers she finds irresistible. Even though, she shops frequently, her space for shoes did not grow as much. Her shoes only last three months in her closet, as she share her blessings with those who can't afford it. Apart from shoes, she also collects expensive bags and jewelleries.

As an owner now of an international company, she needs fast and efficient transportation. From an old Mitsubushi Adventure, she now travels on a grand bulletproof SUV. Her cars grew exponentially as her business expanded. Apart from her personal vehicles, the garage is packed with luxury cars as if it were an auto showroom in Makati. Porches, Mercedes Benzes, Fords, BMWs, Chevrolets.  You name it. 

 
From a successful woman, this simple yet powerful advice is valuable to her achievements: "Umpisahan niyo muna with a very clear motive. For me, you need the clean heart, intention, just be very transparent to God. Don't give up. Ang katapat ng kawalan, pangangailangan at kahirapan ay sipag lang talaga."

Watch Che Toribio Ordonez video here: http://goo.gl/ddixQo